The Quiet Bridge to Serenity
When times are tough and anxiety seems to command all of our attention, we can return to the simple act of attending to our body and breath, letting the extraneous commentary drift away. It’s in the quiet bridge of our mind that we find our way forward, steady as she goes.
This metaphor of the “quiet bridge” has become a powerful one for me, ever since my brother Brian, a retired naval officer, shared it with me. During his time in the U.S. Navy, he had become adept at the complex navigation and rules of the road that allow large ships and tankers to keep from running into each other at sea.
Once, when I was visiting him in Norfolk, Virginia, he took me for a spin in a ship navigation simulator. Imagine the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, except it’s more like the actual bridge of a very large ship. Where the wrap-around windows would be are television screens, and when you punch into the simulator’s computer, it’s as if you’re looking out from the bridge to that port.
Brian guided me through navigating this massive vessel, calling out commands like “Left 20 degrees rudder, steady as she goes,” which I repeated out loud. As we pitched on the waves, I could actually feel it in my stomach – very cool. But what struck me most was what Brian said when I asked him if people chat while they’re on the bridge.
“Good question,” he replied. “Yes, some people do, but a feature that many officers greatly admire is what we call a ‘quiet bridge.'” He explained that a quiet bridge establishes an atmosphere of attentive calm, allowing people to keep their eye on what they need to do more effectively. “After all,” he said, “the stakes are high. You do not want to run aground.”
Navigating Life’s Waves with Mindfulness
My brother has since passed away, but the legacy of the quiet bridge has remained with me. For me, it has become a metaphor both for a particular quality of mind and for a contemplative atmosphere that can be fostered. In mindfulness meditation, we hone our capability to navigate life’s ups and downs, including many inevitable turbulent waves, by discovering an inherent steadiness and stillness that underlies the chatter, chaos, and confusion on the surface of our lives. And we can share that with others through our presence.
When times are tough and anxiety wants to command all of our attention and invite us to chatter incessantly inside and out, we can return to simple attention to our body and breath, letting the extraneous commentary drift away. In the quiet bridge of our mind, we make our way forward, steady as she goes.
Being grounded in our bodies and surroundings undercuts the storytelling that transports us in time and space. I was reminded of this principle when I had the good fortune to travel to Oxford University recently. Oxford is home to one of the finest mindfulness centers in the world, and I was able to have powerful discussions with several of the people there.
Interestingly, our conversations focused in part on the rapidly growing competition for our attentional resources and how our ability to tangibly touch in with our world – both inner and outer, our interoception, proprioception, and situational awareness – are at the heart of genuine mindfulness. Being grounded in our bodies and surroundings undercuts the storytelling that transports us in time and space.
The Power of Quiet Spaces
While I was at Oxford, I managed to obtain a reader’s card for the magnificent Bodleian Libraries, writing and reading in the spacious sanctuary that is the Upper Reading Room. “Silence, please” signs appear throughout the Bodleian, and yet no one needs to run around enforcing it. In that temple of quiet, filled with over a hundred people deeply absorbed in study, I heard not one word spoken over the course of four hours. If our eyes met someone else’s, we merely nodded or smiled.
In our noise-ridden age, we need as many oases of silence, as many quiet bridges, as we can find. As writer Barry Boyce points out, “We’re often focused on our own screenplay of how great things are.” But if we can let go of the narratives we think we need, we can see people as they are.
Cultivating Conditions for Growth
This idea of creating the right conditions for growth and thriving is one that has always resonated with me. It’s a notion that extends far beyond the individual and into the collective. As Nkoula Badila reminds us, sometimes what we need most is to give ourselves the right conditions to thrive. In her case, cultivating and caring for plants has become a way to connect not only with nature but also with herself, those she loves, and her history.
This idea of creating the right conditions for growth and thriving is one that has always resonated with me. It’s a notion that extends far beyond the individual and into the collective. As Nkoula Badila reminds us, sometimes what we need most is to give ourselves the right conditions to thrive. In her case, cultivating and caring for plants has become a way to connect not only with nature but also with herself, those she loves, and her history.
Navigating Group Dynamics with Mindfulness
The ability to navigate group dynamics with mindfulness is another crucial aspect of cultivating inner peace. As Founding Editor Barry Boyce and Managing Editor Stephanie Domet discuss, mindful awareness can help us navigate the habits and patterns that arise in our in-groups, while also recognizing the refreshing value of encountering other perspectives.
The ability to navigate group dynamics with mindfulness is another crucial aspect of cultivating inner peace. As Founding Editor Barry Boyce and Managing Editor Stephanie Domet discuss, mindful awareness can help us navigate the habits and patterns that arise in our in-groups, while also recognizing the refreshing value of encountering other perspectives.
Embracing the Bridge City Mindfulness Movement
It’s this holistic approach to mindfulness – encompassing the individual, the collective, and our relationship to the broader world – that lies at the heart of Bridge City’s vibrant mindfulness movement. From the serene sanctuary of the Bodleian Libraries to the community-driven initiatives of local organizations, the Bridge City area has become a beacon of tranquility and inner growth.
At the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce, we’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of this mindfulness revolution. Whether it’s the surge of new meditation studios, the proliferation of mindfulness-based corporate workshops, or the growing number of mindful parenting groups, the ripple effects of this movement are palpable throughout our city.
Cultivating Mindfulness in Everyday Life
But the beauty of this mindfulness movement isn’t just confined to specific spaces or organized events. It’s a way of being that can be woven into the fabric of our daily lives. As the True Nature Travels blog eloquently explores, there are countless ways to infuse our routines with the grace and mindfulness of yoga.
From dedicating a few minutes each morning to connect with ourselves before engaging with the outside world, to incorporating short yoga breaks throughout the day, to transforming mealtime into a mindful experience – the possibilities are endless. By bringing attention into our bodies and our surroundings, we can find joy in the ordinary and cultivate a greater sense of inner peace.
Diversifying the Mindfulness Movement
Of course, for this mindfulness movement to truly thrive, it must also address the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion that have long plagued the wellness industry. As the True Nature Travels blog so eloquently articulates, the whiteness of wellness is a complex phenomenon that has excluded marginalized communities for far too long.
But the revolution that’s needed begins with a simple shift in perspective. It beckons to the community to dismantle the barriers that have been erected over time. Incorporating DEI principles is not merely a trend; it’s a necessity. To breathe new life into the mindfulness movement, a conscious effort must be made to diversify the roster of teachers and thought leaders, empowering those who have historically been marginalized within Western wellness spaces.
Mindfulness as a Path to Wholeness
Ultimately, the essence of this mindfulness movement is about cultivating wholeness – within ourselves, within our communities, and within our relationship to the world around us. It’s about recognizing the inherent steadiness and stillness that underlie the chaos, and learning to navigate life’s turbulent waves with grace and presence.
Whether it’s the quiet sanctuaries of the Bodleian Libraries, the community-driven initiatives of local organizations, or the simple mindfulness practices we weave into our daily routines, the Bridge City mindfulness movement is a testament to the transformative power of presence. It’s a bridge to the tranquility and inner peace that we all seek, one step at a time.
So let us embrace this movement, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the creation of a more mindful, compassionate, and connected world. For in the quiet bridge of our minds, we find the clarity, the courage, and the conviction to navigate the uncharted waters ahead, steady as she goes.
