Stillness is not a panacea

It's so important to know that there are times when spiritual teachings based solely on "just being" and that present stillness, silence, and slowing down as a panacea and/or as more spiritual than motion, activity and sound are not only not helpful, but when extreme can exacerbate or lead to the opposite extreme of  hyper-arousal.

The opposite of hyper-arousal, hypo-arousal is often used within the context of trauma but is overall  related to the healthy regulation of our nervous system, which lies at the heart of a balanced human being!  "Hypo-arousal refers to an arousal state that lies at the low end of the continuum. Behaviorally, hypo-arousal may be observed as under-responsiveness to stimuli and one's environment, for example, as lethargy, inattention, apathy, or boredom."

During times of hypo-activation, (sometimes part and parcel with depression, trauma, or simply periods of low energy and motivation) we struggle to mobilize ourselves to fully function and/or engage in the things that bring us joy, wellbeing,  fulfillment. Some of its other "side effects" are:

-Shutdown/ Collapse
-Exhaustion
-Dissociation
-Frozenness
-Inertia
-Numbness
-Excessive sleeping, etc.
-Torpidity

What I've needed most need in these times is the impetus to mobilize myself, movement, motion, re-activation, and when I've understand this, and found that the meditations on sitting in stillness are not serving me, but actually contributing to the problem - sometimes they have even led to it. This has caused me to turn away from teachers and teachings that blanket prescribe stillness and slowing down as a panacea. I've felt disappointed and troubled by their lack of balance, awareness of and sensitivity to the inherent risk in doing this. That being said, many spiritual teachers, mindfulness and meditation guides don't have ill intentions, it's simply a blind spot, and I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater because being able to self-generate stillness and quietness of mind is  transformative in so many positive ways.

"You can feel trapped in amber while life is passing by. This is not the same as profound inner stillness."

I want to say that it's very important to validate yourself when you're questioning whether a certain practice, paradigm, or teaching is actually promoting holistic wellbeing, which includes not just what you've been taught is "spiritually healthy" but also what is physically and psychologically healthy. Mind, body, and spirit should all be benefiting if it's a healthy practice. In my view, if one or more is being harmed, that's a good sign that there's a dangerous imbalance in it. Most teachings and practices are not a one size fits all solution and it's important to skillfully discern when they are and aren't fitting for us. 

"You can feel trapped in amber while life is passing by. This is not the same as profound inner stillness."

I'm a strong advocate for being able to generate inner composure and quietude when the moment calls for it, so it's important to remind ourselves that when it's balanced and skillful, the ability to consciously slow down when frazzled and frenzied can make us feel more purposeful and motivated, not less. The idea is not to slow down to a lifeless state,  but enough to be able to hold down our forts so they doesn't get carried away by every whim, and wind that blows from without or within. I see it as not slowing down in defiance of speed, but to balance, compliment it, and ultimately help us make more deliberate choices that help ensure that what we're moving towards is where we actually want to be going.