Finding Stillness

Stillness sounds simple. But anyone who has tried it knows it isn’t easy.

Here in Baroniškė forest in Lithuania, I’ve been sitting among the tall pines, and the silence can feel almost deafening at first. When we pause, the mind gets louder. Old stories, buried feelings, restless thoughts – they all rise to the surface.

And yet, this is the gift of stillness. By staying present, by listening rather than running, we create space for something new. A new thought, a fresh perspective, even a new path. Just as the forest floor is full of seeds waiting to germinate, stillness allows our own inner seeds to take root.

For me, the forest whispers lessons of trust, patience, and belonging. It reminds me that growth isn’t forced – it unfolds when the ground is fertile.

A practice to try:Next time you pause – in nature, or even just in your living room – notice what arises. Don’t push it away. Be with it, with compassion. Then ask yourself: What new thought or possibility is waiting to be planted here?

Stillness isn’t about escaping life. It’s about creating the conditions for life to move through us more wisely. And while it may feel uncomfortable at first, it is in that discomfort that transformation begins.