Finding Peace in the Pause - Week 2
Embrace Stillness in Week 2 of 'The Power of Being Experiment' to Unlock Deeper Presence and Awareness.
Reflecting on Our First Week
Week 1 Recap – The Power of Presence
As we step into the second week of the Power of Being experiment, it’s important to pause and reflect. The first week invited us to dive into what it means to be present. We explored how distractions, stress, and mental clutter can pull us away from our true selves, leaving us disconnected from the peace we seek. We also set our intentions to raise our personal vibration by committing to 15 minutes of daily "beingness," where we practiced mindfulness, prayer, and self-awareness.
Like planting seeds in fertile soil, our goals grow not through forceful action but through quiet intention and faith. When we trust in our Divine progress towards presence and openness, our dreams sprout and flourish in their own time. This too, is something we learn.
Take a moment to evaluate where you have experienced moments of stillness—however brief— over the past week. These moments might have allowed you to notice symptoms of disconnection such as stress, fatigue, emotional discomfort, or a sense of overwhelm. However, you’ve also begun to recognise the transformative power of simply showing up and being present with your thoughts, your emotions, and your body. Briefly record your thoughts in your Journal.
So how did you go? Sometimes it isn’t as easy as it could be and sometimes ease surprises us!
Week 1 was an invitation to notice how easily we slip into a state of mindlessness, and the symptoms that arise when we’re not fully present. This week, we shift gears towards a practice of stillness, self-awareness, and deeper connection to the present moment.
Week 2 Focus: Cultivating Stillness and Self-Awareness
Let’s explore how cultivating moments of pause, reflection, and quiet can ground us in the present and create space for self-awareness. When we intentionally create stillness, we make room to tune into our body, mind, and spirit. We can begin to notice our internal responses without judgment and become aware of patterns that influence how we show up in the world.
In our fast-paced, distraction-filled lives, stillness may seem elusive or even uncomfortable - a significant part of this is our Ego in overdrive, the overthinking part of us that would keep us in our headspace. However, learning to embrace stillness is a powerful tool in our journey of being. In fact, stillness is where the answers lie—whether it's clarity, insight, or peace. The more we cultivate it, the more we connect to our higher self and Divine essence.
This week, let’s experiment with slowing down and tuning in.
If you find this article helpful please acknowledge it! A ❤️, a donation, a subscription, a comment. I love that you are here and am blessed we share this journey. Michelle x
The Power of Self-Awareness in Stillness
For most of us, we are recognising life has been a journey of growing self-awareness - it is a natural function of maturation and a cornerstone of the Power of Being experiment.
To become conscious of the thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations that arise as we experience life, grows our perspective beyond the 3D. It allows us to respond, rather than react to situations and gives us the ability to choose how we show up. This changing perception is the work we need to invite new, better experiences into our lives.
In the stillness created by pause we create an opportunity to become observers of the patterns in our thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. From this space, for example, we may notice stress or overwhelm and begin to observe it without getting caught in the cycle of negative thinking. Then, rather than letting stress dictate our actions, we can use stillness to recalibrate and choose a response aligned with our Highest Self - the part of us that is unconditional love.
JOURNAL ACTIVITY:
Self-awareness requires us to create opportunities to observe ourselves. As you begin this week, join me in paying close attention to moments when you feel agitated, stressed, or overwhelmed.
Record these experiences and notice
Are there recurring patterns or triggers that pull you out of presence?
Are there thoughts that distract you?
Are there any emotions that feel disproportionate to the situation?
Where do you FEEL them in your body?
If you take a moment to connect with this sensation, closing your eyes and allowing awareness, what comes to mind? A colour, symbol, shape, or object?
Ask this part of you what it wants you to know. It is showing up for a reason.
The response is usually something unresolved or unhealed - though trust what comes to mind for you. If it is anything but unconditional love, imagine you are breathing in the golden light of unconditional love and abundance, filling this feeling with the infinite abundance, courage and joy of Christ consciousness, releasing all imbalances on the out breath.
Check if your boundaries need strengthening - you will find a resource here:
By observing without judgment, you can begin to break free from reactive patterns and step into a place of calm, centered presence.
Deepening the Practice of Stillness and Self-Awareness
Part One Activities
Here are some exercises to help deepen your connection to stillness and expand self-awareness throughout this week. Choose at least 2 or more that feel right for you.
1. Daily Practice of Stillness
Commit to at least 15 minutes of stillness each day. This can be a moment of silent meditation, body scanning, or simply sitting with your thoughts. Set a timer and allow yourself to simply "be"—without any agenda or distraction. You can sit in silence, close your eyes, or listen to gentle music, but the key is to be in a quiet, still space where your mind and body can relax.
2. Mindfulness in Action
During your day, practice mindfulness in your activities. Whether you're washing dishes, walking, or having a conversation, be fully present with what you're doing. Notice the details—how the water feels, how your body moves, the sensations in your senses. This will allow you to expand your awareness and find presence in even the smallest tasks.
THOUGHTS PLEASE: We touched on carving out space last week - how is it working for you? I remember managing a toddler, baby on hip and making a school lunch. We are amazing. And we still need time for ourselves. What are you noticing and what tips can you offer?
3. Self-Reflection Journaling
Reflect on your week so far by journaling about your experience with stillness and self-awareness. What came up for you during your moments of silence? Were there any challenges or insights? Did you notice any physical tension, emotional blocks, or mental chatter that you hadn’t realised before? Write freely without judgment and explore the patterns that are emerging in your thoughts and emotions.
4. The Body as a Tool for Stillness
This week, tune into your body as a source of wisdom. We often carry tension in our bodies without realising it. Practice body-centered mindfulness by lying down or sitting comfortably and scanning your body from head to toe. Notice where you hold tension, discomfort, or tightness, and allow yourself to consciously relax those areas. This practice of tuning into the body helps reconnect you to the present moment and raise your vibration through physical release.
This meditation may be helpful:
5. Breath Awareness
Use your breath as an anchor to stay present throughout the day. Take moments to pause and focus solely on your breath. Breathe in deeply and exhale slowly, feeling the rise and fall of your chest. This simple practice helps quiet the mind and brings you back into the present moment.
Part Two Daily Prayer / Intent
Do not underestimate your Divine and infinite beingness. We are growing our vibration and contributing to All that Is with every thought, word or action we create. Each day this week and for the remaining 10 weeks, our focus is on this gentle activity.
With prayer or intent create a space of light, gratitude, and healing using the prayer you have written or find one that works for you as you hold gratitude, ask for guidance, send love outwards and give thanks. There is no right or wrong here.
Again, here is one if needed:
Tending to your Garden
Instead of striving and pushing, imagine yourself nurturing your intentions like a gardener tending to plants. With patience, care, and presence, watch your dreams bloom naturally, without rushing them.
By the end of Week 2, we hope to:
Increase Self-Awareness: Begin to notice patterns in our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Cultivate Stillness: Develop a deeper connection to moments of silence and presence.
Release Physical and Mental Tension: Use mindfulness to identify areas of tension and relax both the body and mind.
Deepen Our Spiritual Connection: Feel more aligned with our inner wisdom, Divine connection, and Higher Self.
Remember, the goal or intention is not perfection, but consistent practice and gentle progress. By embracing stillness and self-awareness, we create the foundation for personal transformation and greater presence in our Divine right timing.
Please continue to share your thoughts and progress here!
Embrace the Silence
As we move through Week 2 of the Power of Being experiment, let’s lean into the discomfort and beauty of stillness. It may feel challenging at times, especially in a world that is always "on," but it is in these moments of quiet that we reconnect with our true essence. Let the silence be your guide, and through it, may you find deeper peace, greater clarity, and a heightened sense of self-awareness.
Blessed be
Michelle Cowles
Spiritual Healer, Energy Therapist
You can also find me at www.michellecowles.com
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Disclaimer: The information on this page is general, lifestyle information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If this article raises mental health issues, please contact your General Practitioner, mental health worker, or Lifeline on 13 11 14 (Australia) OR find support by country at www.helpguide.org.
WORKSHEET LINK HERE: https://open.substack.com/pub/michellecowles/p/worksheet-setting-boundaries-from?r=2sgc27&utm_medium=ios
I feel like I sabotage myself by distracting myself with other tasks or activities I need to do and busying my brain to avoid the stillness. I start out ok as it’s at the front of mind but then I get distracted and busy and completely forget that’s what my intention was.
It’s almost like I need to camouflage my stillness as a task or activity to help it grow into something I do more automatically. Or is it I don’t feel stillness has the value that the outcomes from a task has? As a child I was told to never have idle hands and it was lazy to not work… hmmm… starting to unpack this as I write lol