Very well written, Ilan. In so stimulating a world, it's easy to feel like we must move as fast as possible just to keep up with, well, nobody knows what! We're convinced, by everything trying so desperately to captivate our attention, that to sit still is to fall behind. As a result, we become averse to silence and to stillness. As you point out, stillness precedes (and often catalyzes) forward movement. And so, because everyone is so set on getting as far forward as possible today, they end up spinning their wheels in the mud and getting nowhere!
Wonderfully articulated, Ryan. I love that analogy and think it’s quite true, we’re so obsessed with moving forward that we end up going in circles and feigning progress. Stillness provides an opportunity to asses if our sense of direction actually aligns with our inner desire/purpose. Thanks for reading !
You've hit on something essential to the human experience. The overwhelming drive to distract one's self from the void with content and constructed meaning. This is 99% of what drives human activity. Great stuff 👏
It’s incredibly hard to get away from these days, but I think that’s why it’s even more important to be intentional with stillness. Still it remains hard, but it really does lay the foundation for positive forward momentum.
I've recently thought that momentum required weirdly, trying less and *being* more. It's like you said, a way to access the deep, brimming energy within ourselves and the silence. Our selves become fluid but centered, unweathered by the world, able to do harder things more easily. My best running, writing, and drawing usually comes when I'm in touch with myself- aware of but not overseeing myself.
Your essay put these thoughts into words so eloquently, thank you for writing this :)
Ilan, I so enjoy writers who can dance with the paradox of existence in their work. Who aren’t afraid to inhabit the dark spaces and notice the magic that forms there, leaving soft imprints, fractured light and the mystery of potential that hint of home.
There’s a kinda dark whimsy to your writing style, paradoxical in itself, and which announces your wrestle with the metaphysical in an easefully
poetic way.
Your picture of surrender is quite beautiful. I think of the song lyric “I’m not giving up, I’m just giving in”, and in a funny kind of way there’s a momentum to surrender like giving in to the tide and letting yourself be carried.
Very well written, Ilan. In so stimulating a world, it's easy to feel like we must move as fast as possible just to keep up with, well, nobody knows what! We're convinced, by everything trying so desperately to captivate our attention, that to sit still is to fall behind. As a result, we become averse to silence and to stillness. As you point out, stillness precedes (and often catalyzes) forward movement. And so, because everyone is so set on getting as far forward as possible today, they end up spinning their wheels in the mud and getting nowhere!
Wonderfully articulated, Ryan. I love that analogy and think it’s quite true, we’re so obsessed with moving forward that we end up going in circles and feigning progress. Stillness provides an opportunity to asses if our sense of direction actually aligns with our inner desire/purpose. Thanks for reading !
You've hit on something essential to the human experience. The overwhelming drive to distract one's self from the void with content and constructed meaning. This is 99% of what drives human activity. Great stuff 👏
It’s incredibly hard to get away from these days, but I think that’s why it’s even more important to be intentional with stillness. Still it remains hard, but it really does lay the foundation for positive forward momentum.
It’s through silence that our thoughts expand. Thanks for sharing
🙏🏼🤍
Beautiful
thx Georgia ✨
This is beautifully written. Sheesh! I need to write something right now!
such a lovely read! gave me a new look on something i thought i already knew, thank you for sharing!
I've recently thought that momentum required weirdly, trying less and *being* more. It's like you said, a way to access the deep, brimming energy within ourselves and the silence. Our selves become fluid but centered, unweathered by the world, able to do harder things more easily. My best running, writing, and drawing usually comes when I'm in touch with myself- aware of but not overseeing myself.
Your essay put these thoughts into words so eloquently, thank you for writing this :)
Ilan, I so enjoy writers who can dance with the paradox of existence in their work. Who aren’t afraid to inhabit the dark spaces and notice the magic that forms there, leaving soft imprints, fractured light and the mystery of potential that hint of home.
There’s a kinda dark whimsy to your writing style, paradoxical in itself, and which announces your wrestle with the metaphysical in an easefully
poetic way.
Your picture of surrender is quite beautiful. I think of the song lyric “I’m not giving up, I’m just giving in”, and in a funny kind of way there’s a momentum to surrender like giving in to the tide and letting yourself be carried.
Keep doing what you’re doing 🪐
thank you sm Layla!! ur writing is so inspiring, one of my favourites on Substack