The recent “Walk for Peace” by a group of Buddhist monks accompanied by a rescue dog named Aloka has captured global admiration. Covering nearly 2,300 miles from Texas to Washington, D.C., their journey has sparked an important question: What makes these monks so compelling? Why are people across continents, including many Africans, increasingly drawn to Eastern practices centered on mindfulness, meditation, and inner calm?
Their leader explained that the walk was not an act of protest, but an effort to awaken the peace that already exists within every human being. That inner peace closely reflects what the Scripture describes as stillness. How do we activate stillness in an increasingly anxious world?
Stillness is not merely the absence of noise or movement; it is a deliberate state of mental quietness, a discipline that supports emotional balance and psychological health. In today’s fast-paced, hyper connected society, stillness is the biggest hack for all mental health issues.
Long before modern psychology gave language to emotional regulation, many ancient African cultures practiced what could be described as connected stillness. Elders combined silence, rhythmic rituals, meditation, and periods of retreat to restore mental clarity and reconnect the individual to the spiritual realm. Seclusion was not viewed as withdrawal but as renewal, a way to reduce external noise and strengthen internal awareness.
Even Jesus repeatedly withdrew to quiet places to pray and recalibrate, demonstrating that restoration often requires intentional solitude.
However, the rapid adoption of Western lifestyles has coincided with the gradual erosion of many indigenous mental health practices. In their place, we often see rising anxiety fueled by constant stimulation, comparison, and digital overload.
We now live in a world that rewards speed, noise, and relentless productivity. Stillness, once honored, has become a forgotten discipline despite its longstanding presence across both faith traditions and therapeutic practice. In many African traditions, a person of few words was revered and often compared to a lion: calm, observant, and in full control of the mind. Silence signified wisdom, discipline, and quiet authority rather than weakness. Today, however, the reverse often seems true, as constant expression is mistaken for strength. Yet true power has never resided in noise, but in the ability to exercise restraint, govern one’s thoughts, and remain composed even in the midst of chaos.
Faith and therapy are not opposing forces; rather, they are complementary pathways toward healing. Stillness sits at their intersection, expressed through prayer, meditation, reflection, and mindful awareness.
Modern culture encourages expression and we are constantly encouraged to speak, post, record, and share every emotional experience. Yes “feel something, say something is a slogan I respect and trust but while openness can be healthy, one must ask: Does constant broadcasting truly heal the mind?
Today, many people turn their pain into public content, pressing “share” in search of validation from audiences who may lack the training or emotional capacity to respond appropriately. Oversharing can sometimes intensify vulnerability rather than relieve it.
This does not diminish the value of speaking about one’s struggles indeed, a problem shared with the right person can be half solved. The critical questions remain:
Is the space safe? Is the listener qualified and emotionally grounded? Do you leave the conversation feeling lighter or emotionally drained? Discernment is essential to direct as you learn that not every audience is equipped to hold your pain. So learn to be Still.
Like the monks, we must relearn the practice of mental stillness. For many, silence feels uncomfortable because the mind remains loud even when the body is quiet. Thoughts race, worries multiply, and rest becomes elusive. In such moments, stillness becomes an intentional practice; one that invites individuals to slow down, regulate their breathing, and reconnect with their inner life. It is the space where self-awareness deepens and where many people rediscover spiritual grounding.
Before seeking answers externally, there is wisdom in first turning inward to self and upward toward God, the author of human existence and the one who has the manual for His creation.
In times of distress, many instinctively run to spiritual leaders. Yet what is often needed first is the discipline to become quiet enough to listen both to God and to one’s own heart. Like Saul in ancient scripture, some may go to extreme lengths in search of reassurance, attempting to fill an inner void that only peace can settle. Without stillness, anxiety can escalate into desperation.
Contrast this with medical emergencies, where doctors calmly instruct patients: “Take a deep breath. Stay with me.” These words are not casual; they are grounding techniques designed to stabilize the nervous system. Healing frequently begins with steadiness.
Scripture offers a similar directive. The command to “be still” is rarely given in peaceful moments it often precedes a storm. Stillness is not denial; it is a posture of trust amid uncertainty.
Moses exemplified this truth when he stood before a roaring sea with a pursuing vengeful army behind him. Panic could have led to catastrophe, but calm obedience made room for divine direction, transforming an apparent barrier into a pathway.
Paul demonstrated similar composure during a violent storm at sea. Though aware the ship would be lost, he encouraged everyone to eat and remain hopeful, trusting that their lives would be spared. His calm became an anchor for others.
Peter, too, briefly walked on water until fear disrupted his focus. The moment anxiety replaced stillness, he began to sink. His experience illustrates how quickly fear can overpower faith when inner stability is lost.
Stillness is more than a spiritual ideal; it has measurable psychological benefits. By calming the nervous system, it reduces emotional reactivity and creates a crucial pause between stimulus and response. This pause allows individuals to process emotions thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
Neurologically, stillness activates the body’s “rest and digest” system, lowering heart rate, reducing cortisol levels, and calming the amygdala: the brain’s fear center. Over time, this promotes resilience, emotional regulation, and mental clarity.
This is where faith and therapy intersect. Therapy teaches regulation, presence, and emotional awareness. Faith teaches surrender, trust, and spiritual attentiveness. Together, they form a powerful antidote for mental distress reminding us that while storms are inevitable, panic is not. Stillness becomes the bridge between fear and resilience, guiding the mind toward clarity and the heart toward hope.
It reminds us that peace is not found in escaping life’s turbulence, but in cultivating the inner stability required to walk through it.
In our restless world, learning to be still may be one of the most courageous and healing decisions we can make. Stillness is not a modern discovery but an enduring instruction, echoed through generations by ancestors who foresaw the path of restlessness that would plague the world leading humanity to a mental decline and the evidence is before us as humanity is becoming mentally fatigued and emotionally fragmented.
Practicing stillness does not require extraordinary effort; it begins with simple, intentional moments each day. Pause. Breathe deeply. Step away from the noise. Allow your thoughts to settle before reacting. Whether through prayer, meditation, or silent reflection, these daily acts of quiet can restore balance, sharpen clarity, and nurture resilience.
Begin today and continue every day because the habit of stillness is not an escape from life, but a steady way to meet it with courage, composure, and hope.
Mokwe-Ijiko is founder, Eliakim Global Intervention Services. 📧 [email protected]
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