Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness… it’s about creating a clearing. This is the secret to unlocking your real thoughts and feelings, not just emptying your mind. It’s an active process of making space for what truly matters.
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Meaning
Stillness isn’t about being empty; it’s about creating intentional, open space within yourself.
Explanation
Look, a lot of us get this wrong. We think stillness, or meditation, is about forcing our minds to go blank. And when we can’t, we feel like we’ve failed. But that’s not it at all. What Brene is saying here is a game-changer. It’s not about *nothingness*. It’s about creating a clearing. Think of it like this: your mind is a busy, cluttered room. Full of to-do lists, anxieties, other people’s opinions, all that noise. The goal of stillness isn’t to demolish the room. It’s to walk in, push all that clutter to the sides, and just… create a small, clean, open space in the middle. In that clearing, that’s where the magic happens. That’s where you can finally hear your own voice, feel your real feelings, and let your mind wander to places it normally can’t. It’s not passive. It’s an active creation of space.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Category | Spiritual (229) |
| Topics | awareness (126), stillness (7) |
| Literary Style | philosophical (434) |
| Emotion / Mood | calm (491), reflective (382) |
| Overall Quote Score | 78 (178) |
Origin & Factcheck
This insight comes straight from Brené Brown’s 2017 book, Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice. It’s a concept rooted in her extensive research on vulnerability and wholehearted living in the United States. You won’t find this particular phrasing attributed to any ancient philosophers or other modern gurus—this is pure, powerful Brené.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice (39) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1891) |
| Original Language | English (3669) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating a clearing. It’s opening up an emotionally clutter-free space and allowing ourselves to feel and think and dream and question |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2017; ISBN: Unknown (based on her talk and workbook materials); Length: ~60 pages (lecture adaptation, Sounds True audio transcript). |
| Where is it? | Section: Stillness, Approximate Page 57 |
