Revised: August 16, 2025
The moment the senses start going inward, we are tapping into the eternal source of energy.
Embracing the Dark Season
We are entering the dark season—the time of year when days grow shorter, nights stretch longer, and our inner world begins to call to us. There’s a deep, almost primal pull to slow down, quiet our minds, and rest. Our bodies ask for stillness, for gentler rhythms, for more time spent in the softness of night.
Yet the external world doesn’t always cooperate. The holiday season has its own pace—fast, bright, and often demanding.
When the Holidays Clash with the Body’s Rhythm
This is a season full of invitations, obligations, and traditions. Office parties, work deadlines, family gatherings, gift shopping, meal planning, travel—it’s all stacked into a few short weeks. And after the muted celebrations of the pandemic years, many people are doubling down on their festivities, determined to restore the magic and meaning of their traditions.
But that surge of activity can come at a cost. Our bodies and minds are still whispering, rest now. And when we ignore that call, our stress levels rise, our energy wanes, and we can find ourselves feeling frayed by mid-December.
The Healing Power of Silence
I once read an article on the nourishing, restorative power of silence. Science is finally catching up to what ancient traditions have always known—noise wears us down, while quiet replenishes us.
Studies show that prolonged noise exposure can increase the release of stress hormones, raise blood pressure, and even contribute to tinnitus. The surprising part? The same research revealed that even brief silences can have profound benefits.
In one experiment, the two-minute pauses between musical pieces reduced stress symptoms more effectively than the relaxing music itself. The key wasn’t the length of the silence—it was the shift from noise to quiet. That contrast allowed the nervous system to reset.
Going Inward: Short Breaks for Deep Renewal
This is good news for those of us with full calendars and long to-do lists. You don’t need a weeklong silent retreat to restore yourself. You can slip short, intentional pauses into your day—two or three minutes at a time—and still experience deep renewal.
Think of silence as a doorway to going inward. In those brief pockets of stillness, we can reconnect with our spirit, hear our intuition, and feel our creative spark flicker back to life. We can hear ourselves think again.
If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, anxious, or emotionally drained, try sprinkling moments of silence throughout your day. These small resets can anchor you in calm, even in the busiest season of the year.
Simple Ways to Invite Silence
Here are a few ways to start:
Take a short evening walk without headphones and notice the sounds of the night.
Turn off the television an hour before bed.
Set your phone in another room and read, journal, or simply sit in the dark with a candle.
Step outside for a few minutes at dawn or dusk and watch the changing light.
A Short Ritual for the Dark Season
Two-Minute Night Ritual
Choose your space – a quiet corner of your home, or even outside under the stars.
Dim the lights or light a candle.
Close your eyes and take three slow breaths, letting your shoulders drop with each exhale.
Listen—to the silence, to the hum of your own heartbeat, to the stillness inside you.
Set a gentle intention for rest, peace, or clarity, then carry it with you into sleep or the rest of your evening.
Realigning with Yourself
When we take time for quiet, we honor both the season and our own body’s wisdom. Going inward isn’t selfish—it’s a way of realigning with who we are before stepping into what’s next. In this stillness, we find peace, clarity, and a sense of being whole again.
Wishing you moments of silence and deep rest in the weeks ahead.
A grounding meditation to start the holiday season off right. Try other meditations and energy exercises.
