L

Find a space to sit and be still

Prison is noisy. You can imagine the noises – some may be unimaginable. So I get the challenge of finding a space for quiet when all around you is chaos. It’s takes practice.

When I ran a Mindfulness group on a Friday morning it took me a while to ‘get’ why prisoners were reluctant to close their eyes and be still.  It takes a huge leap to put aside our ‘hunter gatherer and self-protection’ mode and willingly take our eye off the boil.  I get that. But the rewards for consistent quiet are huge.

We’re all geared for busyness.  We’re bombarded constantly with requests for our attention, even when we’re sleeping. Stillness may seem a step too far or a non- essential in our multitude of activity choices.  Why choose quiet when you can immerse yourself in some other parallel universe?

We’re so used to this continuous stimulation that removing ourselves from it may seem unnecessary. But ask anyone who does carve out the solitude and they’ll tell you it has become their new necessity – their way of handling the incessant noise and distraction.

It won’t surprise you to know Mindfulness is now ever so slowly filtering into our prison community through in-cell workbooks. The responses I’ve had have been significant, I think for those surrounded by noise:

Quotes from prisoners:

"You can feel the anxiousness leave with every exhale of breath. I only did the [relaxation] exercise for 2 minutes but it still managed to help" 

"It has taught me how certain ways can help you concentrate i.e. the Mindful Unwind and Relaxation Exercise"

"The course has everything you need to work on your own thoughts and control them" 

"Once I managed to find my full focus on breathing and relaxing it made it a lot easier to drift off"

"[the course can help you] find different ways to ease your mind when bad or negative thoughts creep in"

So here’s my challenge.

  • Decide on a day and time for some quiet time
  • Let your nearest and dearest know, so you won’t be disturbed
  • Turn off your distractions
  • Settle yourself with some steady breathing
  • Sit still for a few minutes and let your mind go where it will
  • There no place you have to be, in your mind, or elsewhere
  • Just be in the moment and quiet
  • And when you’re ready, re-join your surroundings …

Stillness may not stay silent for long. You may start to listen to your higher self, your heart and soul.

It’s different for everyone. It’s a process, just like learning to use your mobile. Only here you get to connect with a different universe, where everything is working in your favour.

Take time to find your space for calm in the noise around you.