18: Being Calm as a Spiritual Practice
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:38 — 46.5MB)
Are you finding it difficult to experience what Eckhart Tolle calls being “present” or “spacious” when the chaotic energy and challenges of everyday life – the kids, traffic, work – trigger a negative response? We have a simple reminder that can lead you back to that grounded and relaxed place where creativity and solutions can be accessed. Be Calm.
On this episode of Living with Tolle we discuss the spiritual practice of being calm. Being calm captures in essence the same qualities as the more popular sign posts – being present, still, silent, or spacious – and can lead us back to that inner state of peace. Yet, the word calm is less abstract and a term that most of us have been familiar with all of our life. Even young children have a basic understanding of what being calm means.
Key Insights from this episode:
The practice of being calm was an insight Greg stumbled upon while seeking for a more conscious response to his kids while on the Master Cleanse or Lemonade Diet. The experience of the fast left him grumpy, short, and feeling disconnected from the presence he had cultivated over the past several years. Then he came across this short saying on a slip of paper at the end of a tea bag: “To be calm is the highest achievement of the self.” ~ Yogi Tea
Greg goes on to share how being calm was easier to remember when he was feeling short tempered and anxious – and then easier to embody while navigating through that charge of emotion.
Leo and Greg also discuss the difference between the phrases “calm down” and “be calm.” Calm down is more of a command, a demand for order or a perceived way of being. Whereas be calm is a reminder or reflection to re-embody a more natural or authentic way of being.
Tips for Being Calm:
The episode wraps up with three tips that you can use to begin practicing the art of being calm:
1. Treat “Be Calm” as a mantra and repeat these words to yourself when you become conscious of them or when a situation arises that triggers a negative emotion.
2. When you remember to be calm, take a deep breath to re-connect with the intelligence of your body.
3. When chaotic energy or challenging situations arise, shift your awareness to the state of being calm.
We offer a challenge to listeners to use these tips over the next seven days and be aware of how being calm works for you. Then stop by the website and let the community know about your experience in the comments section.
Comment by sharon mills on 6 July 2010:
Am so in agreement with you on Being Calm’
Tolle said that awareness is presence.
When Iam (aware) that Iam NOT calm and in that “awareness”
comes back to me the truth of who IAm.
Comment by david on 9 July 2010:
Using the word calm is a wonderful technique for quieting the mind and body , but i feel just the word “calm” is sufficient .” Be calm” is a bit to much like you suggested “calm down “sounded. Like you say the mind knows exactly what “calm’ means , and gently saying that word suggests to the mind what is required. No matter how busy you are you can find time to have a one minute meditation , close your eyes and on the out breath say “calm” silently to yourself . Sorry to nit pick and a big thank you for sharing your insight.
Comment by Greg on 31 July 2010:
Thanks David and Sharon for your comments on the “Being Calm” podcast. I’ve been trying your suggestion David and find that just saying “calm” internally is all that I need to experience that state. I still use “be calm” when I’m interacting with my kids, but i will try using just calm and see if it works as a pointer for all of us. And I read recently a few tips on meditating and one was to find a word (one might say mantra) to repeat over an over as you are meditating as a way to focus the mind. The author did not mention “calm,” but I find that it works just as well as the other words mentioned!