Are You Constantly On The Go? Learn The Lesson Of Stillness From The Buffalo

In today’s non-stop, phone-obsessed, busy society, it can be hard to find time to slow down. Our lives have become distracted, and too often we confuse being busy with being productive. We’re piling stressors upon stressors, with no sign of relief in sight. That’s why I thought now would be a good time to pull the Buffalo - Life card.

The Buffalo, also known by its Lakota name Tatan’ka, is a wise and mighty beast. It is large and powerful, yet does not hunt. It grazes on grass, and travels slowly, covering no more than 2 miles per day. The Buffalo lives in packs, relying on its herd for companionship and protection. There is a lot we can learn from the Buffalo about life.

Today, meditate on the Buffalo and its approach to life. Find your power, and let it affect your posture. Stand tall and mighty, appreciating the wisdom that exists within you. Take the time to look for the wonders around you.

Be awake, be aware, live in the present moment. One of my favorite mindfulness techniques comes from simply observing the world around you: name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Practicing this mindfulness meditation is wonderful for stress relief, as it takes you out of the spinning chaos of yesterday and tomorrow, and grounds you where you are in the present.

It’s so important to take a moment in your day to just stop. Stop trying to do and be everything, and just focus on who and what you are. The moments in between all the doing and being are the moments where we find happiness and peace. These are the moments that allow us to truly connect with our own herd, finding companionship in a shared moment.

The green color of the Buffalo card signifies growth. It’s interesting to note that, as children, our bodies only release growth hormones when we’re asleep, and do most of our physical growing during those hours, too. It stands to reason, then, that in order to achieve spiritual growth, we need rest and stillness in our lives. Stillness allows us to meditate on all we’ve experienced in a day, letting our experiences grow us and teach us the lessons we need to learn.

How will stillness change your life?