Monday, July 28, 2008

Inspiring Results

Thanks to everyone who participated in my survey after completing the first 30 days of The Stillness Experiment. I have some exciting results to share with you that will hopefully inspire you to continue the practice of stillness.

One hundred and eighty people participated in the survey. Of those, more than 80% are females who are 40 years of age or older. It would seem that stillness is more important to the baby boomer generation. - or perhaps that is just the market I reach.

I have summarized some of the results here along with a couple of bar graphs for those of you who are more visual; they are quite dramatic.

Many people just dabbled in the experiment .... trying it out a few times but not really keeping up with it. The interesting news is, that even when people just tried the One Minute Meditation (tm) a few times, over 40% experienced a significant increase in their peace of mind when they did it. That was an unexpected result.

Did the One Minute Meditation a Few Times Over 30 Days
Click on image to view larger


Click on image to view larger.


And,it should come as no surprise that when people did the One Minute Meditation (tm) more often (3-5 times/a day), the results were significantly better. Nearly 90% experienced greater peace. Also more people saw significant improvement in their ability to deal with stress better, be in the flow more and access their intuition and creativity and connect with their higher source.

I should note that of the people who did the One Minute Meditation (tm) 3-5 times/day, 70% of them also did the 5 minute meditation 2-4 times/week. But let's add that up, a 5 minute meditation plus 3-5 one minute meditations per day is no more than 10 minutes a day throughout your day spent meditating. Ten minutes a day can and often does result in significant improvement in peace of mind.

Did the One Minute Meditation(tm) 3-5 times/day
(70% also did 5 min. meditation 2-4 times/week)
Click on image to view larger


Click on image to view larger.


So, does that you to do these short meditations more. Whether they be your meditations or mine?

What is the ability to handle stress and peace of mind worth to you? Is it worth 10 minutes/day?

Stay tuned for some inspiring comments from those who completed the first 30 days of the Stillness Experiment.

In the meantime take one minute to be still right now.

And let us know how you are doing.

1 comment:

Ann said...

Stacey, thank you for the results of the 30-day experiment - it was most inspiring! I didn't post any comments, but I did note down my thoughts after many of my meditations. I became still at the beginning and the end of the day almost every day, and rather fewer times with the one-minute (guess I got too involved with 'life'.) I'll keep trying. I have certainly noticed a difference in my ability to deal with stress and to remain calm - and, a couple of times where I was on the verge of 'losing it', I was able to pull myself back immediately. After my meditations, I mostly was aware of the sun shining through my eyelids, the clock ticking, classical music in the background on the radio, and the birds singing outside - it gave me a sense of euphoria - Spring is on the way - they are flying back up north! It inspired me to embrace my day. [Today, there is howling wind and snow - yes - April 14th!]and I am grateful for my warm and cosy house. I do hear a bird sing out there though.
My stillness is also enabling me to quiet my inner chatter - still very much there - but I can catch it and get still. Also at night, the meditation allows me to slide into rest quickly and easily. Sometimes (often) I fall asleep in the middle of the meditation.
Thank you... I will continue to find my inner stillness. Ann

Welcome to the Stillness Experiment

Welcome to all who would like more stillness, peace and joy in their life.

I started this experiment for a variety of reasons. the main reason is that I personally need more structure to remind me to be quiet. And I wanted to structure to be easy to use and not take a lot of time.

I've been a student of stillness for a long time and know its benefits. And yet somehow, I still manage to get out of the habit. I will think I haven't mastered it and don't need to practice any more. But that is only my ego fooling me.

I also started this experiment because I am curious about what would be available if many people around the world were practicing stillness at the same time and for an extended period of time, such as 30 days.

You see when you are still, you are not in resistance. And when we are not in resistance with ourselves or others, what is possible in our lives and in their lives.? And even in the lives of those who do not participate because our energy is connected to others energy.

I had many reasons not to start this experiment. The biggest of which is that I have a shoulder injury/torn rotator cuff. It is very painful at times and is interfering with my sleep. So I thought to myself, how can I possibly be quiet when I am having this much pain?

And then I awakened and remembered that being still is probably the best thing I could do for myself right now. And as I re-engaged in my stillness exercises, I found I was much better able to be with my injury and indeed the pain lessened.

I imagine you have reasons to why this might not be the best time for you to be still or participate in this experiment. I encourage you to think of those reasons, as the very reason for you to participate right now. There is never a great time to do this according to our ego.

There will never be a time; a time when we have nothing going on in our lives. Stillness does not take away from what is going on in your life. Rather, it enhances your life.

You may have a concern about whether you will be able to do this regularl y---to set aside time and to remember to be quiet. for one minute every hour. I encourage you to let go of that concern. You will do what ever you do, and it will be just perfect. Haves the intent to learn from what ever you do and don't do an experiment. I don't know that I will remember or take the time to do it every hour. Even know that if my commitment. And I will notice what comes up to get in my way both inside of me and outside of me. And it will all be very interesting.

I look forward to being on this journey with you. The more the merrier. So please invite your friends to play with us. They can sign up at www.Balancedliving.com/stillness.html.

Warmly,

Stacey