The Power of STOP.

By Amjid Mohammed, Founder & CEO of the Gifted Mind Institute

With all of the changes occurring in the outside world it is easy to fall out of balance with the world that is inside of us. During times of change and challenge, we may find that our minds begin to race from one thought to another. It is like a pendulum that swings from our fear of unknown tomorrows to the suffering of the past and then back to the future again.

Some of us may have the luxury of having gardens to sit in during this time and to get some space and air, others may be locked down and restricted to a single room within a house. We all find that we need physical space, but now more than ever it is important to realise that we need space within ourselves as well. We can create this space very easily, we do not need access to equipment, people or places, all we need to do is STOP.

What do you mean stop? How am I supposed to stop? Why would anyone stop? My kids aren’t going to stop, my phone isn’t going to stop so how can anyone expect me to stop? These are precisely the reasons why we need to stop! Because we are constantly running from one thing to another, over and over, hour after hour, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. See how exhausting it is just reading that?!

What happens when we stop?

Observe nature, in just two months when we stopped fracking the earth, bleeding it of crude oil, mining its minerals, polluting its oceans and pumping it’s air with pollutants what happened? Nature began to repair itself, it knows what to do. An example of this can be seen with the canals in Venice which were once dark and smelt awful but now run clear. The same thing happens with us, we begin to grow and repair as we are part of nature and we have our own nature.

When we stop we begin to replenish, rejuvenate, recover, re-evaluate and respond instead of react. Stopping gives us space inside, nature requires space to grow, the same applies to us, when we have space inside we can grow exponentially, there are no upper limits to what we can achieve and who we can become.

How Do I STOP?

1. Take a moment to find a quiet space.
2. Find a chair or a place where you can sit comfortably with your back straight.
3. Gently touch the roof of your mouth with your tongue, you will find this happens naturally when you close your mouth.
4. Place your hands in a comfortable position where you will not need to adjust or move them. This can be on your lap or on an armrest of a chair. As you are sitting it is of great importance that you remain absolutely still, no scratching, no fidgeting or adjusting. It is important to therefore find a position that you can stay in without moving for an extended period of time.
5. Gently close your eyes and start to become aware of your breathing. Just watch how your body is breathing and allow it breath however it likes.
6. You may find after a few minutes you became lost in your thoughts and that is perfectly fine. When you realise that your mind has wondered off just gently let go of your thoughts and bring your attention back to your breath. This may happen throughout the exercise but its only natural so there is no need to become worried about anything, it is part of the process.
7. When you finish take three deep breaths and gently open your eyes.

I would recommend starting off by just doing ten minutes a day until you have established it as part of your daily routine. You can then gradually make five minutes increments when you become more versed in your practice.

It good to do this at the start of your morning as it sets the tone for the remainder of the day. You can use this exercise of stillness at any time of day. I have found it useful to use before big presentations or workshops, or before meetings or emotional discussions that I know I may need to have with colleagues or loved ones alike. As you incorporate this practice into your day you will begin to see the benefits of stopping as your choices become clearer, you are able to respond rather than react and you have a lot less internal chatter.

In a society where we are accustomed to look outside for answers, take this opportunity to go back inside

This is my gift to you during these turbulent times, I hope you keep it close to your heart. When it feels like things are getting too much, or you feel as though you can not cope you can use this practice to help you get back to yourself and to regain perspective. The more you invest in this practice the more you will find freedom and liberty through it. In a society where we are accustomed to look outside for answers, take this opportunity to go back inside, you will be amazed at the personal strength you have and the answers that come from within.

It is important to say that if you need someone to talk to during this period then please reach out. It may appear that people are far away but they are now closer than ever so please, if you feel like things are getting too much then call a loved one or a friend, or seek professional help. The first step is the most important one, just know that you are unique, you are loved and you are enough just as you are!