Morning Stillness
The point where we transition from sleep to wake reveals things that are in need of our attention, and new ideas emerge
The morning stillness is there to teach us about finding the stillness within, like the stillness that follows a storm. I so love the morning after a snowstorm, like the photo above that was taken just before sunrise a couple weeks ago.
The time of waking is there to teach us many things, because as we emerge from sleep, the time when our subconscious minds have been rambling along through the night occasionally sending us images and dreams, the point where we transition from sleep to wake is there to reveal things that are in need of our attention. It’s also a time when new ideas emerge.
There is a reason almost all spiritual and religious traditions emphasize a morning ritual of some kind, usually prayer and meditation. From my training in the Native American traditions I’ve learned that the early morning is perceived as the most spiritual time of the day. The elders say, if you rise with the sun, go outside, face the east, and greet the spirits, they will remain with you throughout the day. But if you sleep past sunrise they will pass you by.
Buddhist traditions emphasize morning meditation. Islamic traditions emphasize morning prayer. And I’ve heard Christian mystics speak to the importance of morning prayer.
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