“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace”

-Jimi Hendrix

This month we remember April 25th, ANZAC day and the sacrifices made by so many in the cause of peace. I think the image above resonates strongly with the contrast between love which is selflessness and power which is selfishness.

If love in its widest sense creates peace, and power which is undeniably linked to selfishness, perhaps it is time to recognise why peace is disturbed so regularly within human nature?

Here is some wisdom from Martin Luther King Jr:

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend”

Bearing in mind the complexity of our world today, might we remember the love so freely given by the ANZACS. Maybe we might each resolve to begin to contribute to strengthening the power of love … and that may simply mean that we see each other in kindness, with reverence, with consideration and understanding of all races, background and life experience … that we look beyond judgment and aim to nurture respect for all … in other words …

From one of my clients – as she experiences Stillness and the power of love

Today I celebrated That I am here And I am living, That I am able to be happy and contented.

I celebrated with my first cup of coffee in four years. I celebrated by watching the astronauts returning from Artemis II and being inspired by them walking out after being in space for ten days, and looking insanely healthy.

that means that I too can strengthen my left ankle and leg and be as athletic

I can celebrate everything I choose to do and to follow through

I can be happy and grateful that I am strong enough just to ‘be’

I am glad to wake up every day and see the sky from my window that beautiful view from my balcony

I am alert to all that is good in my life. I am active, Participating Fully and completely I am a plus. I am a positive.

More than 40 years ago I published my story, In Stillness Conquer Fear. The book was a first at the time and one that opened the way for thousands of readers to understand and face bewildering life issues. Happily, my story has led others to overcome stress, anxiety, fear and more by the simple practice that changed my life – stillness meditation therapy.

I am proud now to share the words and wisdom of several clients who are enjoying and benefiting from the gift of Stillness Meditation.

Some have written concise affirmation of results gained. Others, creatively, take time to explore and relish the detail. I hope dear readers, that you will be inspired by this selection of client responses.

We learn well from each other! I look forward to more sharing like this in the coming months.

Understanding

“I came to find mental rest when I learned two important health matters: cortisone slows down the immune system. Stress increases cortisone!

I knew I was stressed! So, my desire and my aim was to learn the most effective way to lower that stress and all its symptoms … racing heart, shortness of breath, overwhelming episodes of fear and panic, lack of sleep … and worse. It took me several SMT sessions to get the idea of mental rest. But I have to say ‘wow’ … it’s been a great learning curve and a great help. I keep the practice going each day … don’t want to lose its simple and remarkable benefits.”

Shane W (A less-stressed Marketing Manager)

Gratitude

… for stillness meditation and your encouragement. You’ve helped me find more steadiness and compassion within myself. I’m so grateful for the calm, safe space you hold with such care and kindness. With heartfelt thanks …

Helena (a calmer, happier young nurse)

Life changing results

“When I first commenced Stillness Meditation I was seeking anxiety relief and very focused on results. I figured if I did it for so many weeks then all the changes I wanted to happen would simply happen. When I realized this expectation wasn’t the right way to approach it, I shifted my focus to be committed to learning and practising on a daily basis – and then let the rest take care of itself!

Stillness Meditation is now part of my life, just like any other activity I enjoy on a regular basis. I exercise for my body and Stillness Meditation is peacefulness for my mind.

It is actually hard to have a way of measuring the effects of Stillness Meditation. Certainly when I have a particularly good session it is very evident that there is calmness around my day. Also, in certain situations there is a different feeling or reaction than there was before. Personal changes have occurred that I haven’t even realised. However, there is one thing that I am sure about! The best measurement for significant change is that my quality of life is clearly better than it was three years ago or would have been without my having been introduced to the regular practice of Stillness Meditation”.

David M (now retired and loving it too!)

Twenty minutes of Silence for Change

The Magic Twenty

That beautiful silence
Which surrounds me.
The sound
Only of my breaths
And the rising and falling
Of my chest.
Those twenty minutes
In which
All I can feel
Is the internal essence of me.
It is a magical moment in time,
And one which I love to feel.
All encompassing,
Surrounding me
Like a loving embrace.

That twenty minutes of stillness and quietened breath is a magical time for me. I disconnect from the sounds of the world – the voices of the news, and even some of the music I listen to. I just let it all go.

Anne J (who continues to write beautiful poetry on this important topic – more to come as the months unfold.)

And it’s the gift of quietness – within our self or beyond our self that is most powerful in the management of challenge.

Somewhere close by for each of us there is a quiet place to sit, reflect, plan, pray or interestingly, allow our self to simply become still. It is in calm and especially in stillness of mind that solutions and resolutions become clear and positive energy thrives.

In the experience of ‘stillness’ we enter a threefold present where past memories, future expectations and the current ‘now’ simply rests. We are within a state of pure and timeless ‘being’, the natural still-point of calm that provides rest for body, mind and spirit.

Those moments of timelessness are a natural part of mental function and, if cultivated correctly and regularly those timeless moments bring much needed rest to the mind and a natural onflow of calm to our entire being. Living becomes easy, natural, happy and more complete.

Join us! Learn, practice and live and love the results of simple stillness.

www.stillnessmeditation.com.au

Click to find out more about Dr Ainslie Meares

In pondering this November and December Newsletter, I discovered that way back in 2012, I opened my message with the following paragraph:

“There’s a huge irony in what we’re seeing on our screens in these pre-Christmas weeks. One moment we’re being shown horrific and explosive footage from scenes of war in the Middle East and next, some facile advertisement for the purchase of gifts for loved ones – or images of extravagant food to stock up on for Christmas.

It’s perplexing that on the one hand, extravagance to find happiness is being promoted when Christmas is supposed to celebrate the humble birth of Christ.

When I see nations at war, I wonder at the perception of human kind when throughout time, spiritual leaders such as he have taught only peace. And it’s sad that the simple act of giving has morphed into yet another modern pressure.

Though meant to be a happy time, the rushing, the crowds, the repetitive ‘carols’ playing in the stores, the traffic and the urgency surrounding shopping at this time can lead to distress. Temper and impatience increases, road rage and violent acts become more prevalent; unresolved family issues rear their heads; counselors are reminded of the current problem of youth suicide and anyone prone to morbidity and anxiety may notice their symptoms mounting.

Yet this Season is meant to be a celebration of the birth of one who, 2000 years ago gave His life in the name of love, justice, forgiveness and peace!”

My thoughts in 2012!

How sad that little has apparently changed throughout our world in 13 years … not to mention the previous thousands of years. And as we know, in recent times some conflicts have worsened.

And so I propose to keep this early end-of-year newsletter very simple, just ideas to ponder. And then perhaps, we might join in spirit to contribute something – even the tiniest thing – from the message above that might possibly,,,

…set in motion the changes needed to truly care for each other and of course, our beautiful world …

From the Stillness Meditation Therapy Consultancy we we wish you

a calm, safe and very happy Festive Season with an abundance of Joy, Love and Peace and a very happy Christmas in every possible way.

Enjoy the holiday time and we look forward to connecting again in February 2026!

The level of dis-ease within our world remains evident, sorrowful times indeed. We are regularly reminded that unresolved conflict has provoked such violence as to cause fear, loss and heartbreak for thousands of innocent people. Sadly, on a lesser scale, we see those negative emotions and accompanying violence also apparent at community level.

So I wonder if greater peace might be achieved if it were possible for humanity make a huge shift towards gratefulness?

Of course, a change of heart will not happen in a heartbeat!  But maybe, starting very small, if each person could begin to identify and value what we have, rather than what we don’t have, it just may be possible to lead others in a similar direction.

GRATITUDE

SMALL THINGS and SIMPLE THINGS

LEAD TO GREATER THINGS

Waking up to a new day

Showering … dressing … walking … talking … sharing … eating … drinking … choosing … driving … meeting … working … learning … playing … resting … sleeping …

Simple daily things to appreciate … things that without question, keep us safe and mostly begin all over again … and small changes within ourselves lead to bigger changes … and those changes can flow on to others, too.

Our studies of many years show that when stress brings us down, the practice of Stillness Meditation swiftly brings us back to life.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if most of our daily life experience just simply brought us joy?

Joy is a word that frequently comes into conversation in any working day. And I understand. In listening to others, my own early life anxiety challenges serve me well in relating to others’ stories. Of course, being human means experiencing our beautiful times alongside times of loss, sadness, broken-ness, loneliness, bewilderment and fear. For many there is no apparent escape, no ease within and no real joy … as people speak their needs …

“My mind is busy, distracted … feels overwhelmed … tight with nervous tension, exhausted, ‘burned out! And there are headaches, butterflies in the stomach … phobias, avoidance behaviour … and depression, social phobia … maybe the life-limiting isolation of agoraphobia”

And some want to feel ‘more organised’ … less cluttered, more productive.

Most importantly, most just simply want to feel happier … joyful

Let’s not forget that life challenges and worries will arise. Unpleasant events trigger negative responses … anger or deep regret can be regular visitors as unwelcome memories surface. And loss for many reasons, but especially through bereavement or health challenges, will bring accompanying, often overwhelming grief. These and more unsettle our inner self while accompanying fatigue weakens our personal strengths.

But when we capture the art of ‘mental rest’ in stillness, the stress reaction and the symptoms of tension, anxiety and depression are relieved.

To quote it’s originator (renowned psychiatrist Ainslie Meares 1910-1986), Stillness Meditation Therapy (SMT)) is the body’s own way of coping with distress.

As our clients deepen their stillness and begin to experience living calm, they move toward their goal of becoming calm, peaceful and more joyful. And then along comes confidence. Confidence leads to productivity and these lead to courage.

And courage means meeting life’s challenges, crossing each bridge as we come to it and gradually discovering and reaching ambitions and dreams.

And remember … once learned, anyone can achieve this better life. It’s natural. Stillness Meditation Therapy is not a challenging system or technique to learn through action. In SMT there is no mantra, no chanting, no mindfulness, no need for breath control or the focus of background music. Stillness is about not doing anything … just simply being in profound physical and mental rest with the outcome of experiencing deeply, one’s inherent calm.

Let us help you make stillness a part of every day?