When I first began my meditation practice I had difficulty concentrating. My mind would race to the day’s events, and tomorrow ‘must do’ list.

I’d shift and twist and grimace and sigh, until finally my teacher approached to whisper;

“Stop trying so hard…”

He was elderly man, well into his 80’s – however, always with the most contented of smiles. I’d watch him, wondering – how had he achieved such effortless ‘perfection’.

Each time we visited, I’d take mental notes of his impression. Still, whatever ‘it’ was that needed to be done seemed so inexplicably out of reach.

“Stop trying so hard…” he whispered again. “Just let the energy in.”

I’d been trying so hard to force myself into I presumed would be ‘perfection’. Though, in doing so, I only succeeded in keeping myself from inner peace.

In his book, Silence: The Power of Quiet in a World Full of Noise, Thich Nhat Hanh writes;

“The practice of mindfulness is simple. You stop, you breathe and you still your mind. You come home to yourself so that you can enjoy the here and now in every moment.

All the wonders of life are already here. They’re calling you. If you can listen to them, you will be able to stop running. What you need, what we all need, is silence. Stop the noise in your mind in order for the wondrous sounds of life to be heard.”

As I sit here this morning, I’m reminded of my old friend, my teacher. Who shared with me the simplicity of life, and encouraged me to permit my true self’s emergence.

And now, as I listen to the cardinal’s morning song or watch the kitten’s curiosity over the squirrel’s taking chase – I can better appreciate my connection to this world. I can see myself in every reflection.

When we quiet our minds, we are able to ‘tune in’. To pay attention to and finally hear the true ‘heart song’ of this world.

And, it begins with our ‘not trying so hard’ – and abandoning our need to fit.

Because when we finally let go, we can begin to let it all in.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️