Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness it Meaning Factcheck Usage
Rate this quotes

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.

Share Image Quote:

Table of Contents

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

ContextAttributes
Original LanguageEnglish (3669)
CategorySpiritual (229)
Topicsawareness (126), stillness (7)
Literary Stylephilosophical (434)
Emotion / Moodcalm (491), reflective (382)
Overall Quote Score78 (178)
Reading Level55
Aesthetic Score90

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

ContextAttributes
AuthorBrene Brown (257)
Source TypeBook (4032)
Source/Book NameRising Strong as a Spiritual Practice (39)
Origin Timeperiod21st Century (1891)
Original LanguageEnglish (3669)
AuthenticityVerified (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
Official Website |Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube |

Where is this quotation located?

QuotationStillness 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 DetailsPublication 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

Authority Score85

Context

She introduces this idea within the framework of the “Rising Strong” process—specifically, the “Rumble” stage. This is that messy middle part where you’re trying to get honest about the story you’re telling yourself after a fall. The “clearing” is what you need to do *before* you can even begin to rumble with the truth. You have to create the space for that honest reckoning to happen.

Usage Examples

So how do you actually use this? It’s simpler than you think.

  • For the Overwhelmed Professional: Before a big project, instead of just diving into the chaos, take 5 minutes. Don’t try to stop thinking. Just imagine gently moving all the urgent emails and deadlines to the side. Create a mental clearing. Then step into it and ask, “What’s the one most important thing here?”
  • For the Creative Stuck in a Rut: When you’re blocked, the worst thing you can do is stare at the blank page. Go for a walk without your phone. Let your mind wander. You’re not focusing on nothingness; you’re creating a clutter-free space for a new idea to finally land.
  • For Anyone in Conflict: In a heated moment with a partner, hit pause. The goal isn’t to shut down your feelings. It’s to create a small clearing from the anger and blame, so you can actually feel the hurt or fear underneath. That’s where real connection starts.

To whom it appeals?

ContextAttributes
ThemeConcept (265)
Audiencesleaders (2620), readers (72), seekers (406), teachers (1125)
Usage Context/Scenariofaith reflections (8), mindfulness workshops (33), motivational essays (111), self-help books (53), spiritual meditations (2)

Share This Quote Image & Motivate

Motivation Score75
Popularity Score80
Shareability Score85

FAQ

Question: How is this different from just zoning out or dissociating?
Answer: Great question. Zoning out is a passive escape. Creating a clearing is an active, intentional act. You’re not checking out; you’re consciously making room to check in more deeply with yourself.

Question: I’ve tried meditating and just get frustrated with my busy mind. Does this mean I’m doing it wrong?
Answer: Not at all! This reframe is for you. Stop trying to stop your thoughts. Just acknowledge them, imagine setting them gently aside, and return to the feeling of the “clearing”—maybe it’s the sensation of your breath. The thoughts will come back, and you just gently create the space again. It’s a practice, not a perfect.

Question: What does an “emotionally clutter-free space” actually feel like?
Answer: It’s less of a specific feeling and more of a sense of possibility. It’s the slight relief you feel when you finally tidy a messy desk. The clutter is still in the room, but it’s not dominating your field of vision. There’s now room to breathe and to place something new and important in front of you.

Similar Quotes

The key to relaxation is not having nothing Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, “The key to relaxation is not having nothing to do” is a total game-changer. It flips the entire concept of being busy on its head. It’s not about…

Awareness is not comfort it s clarity Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

Awareness is not comfort—it’s clarity. This quote hits you right between the eyes, doesn’t it? It’s a powerful reminder that real insight often demands we let go of our cozy…

A relaxed mind absorbs information faster and retains Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, a relaxed mind absorbs information faster and retains it longer. It’s one of those simple truths we often overlook in our rush to cram more in. I’ve seen…

Learn to be okay with silence Not everything Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

Learn to be okay with silence is a powerful piece of advice that so many of us struggle with. We’re conditioned to fill every gap, but the real growth happens…

The journey to an infinite mindset requires courage Meaning Factcheck Usage>>

You know, the journey to an infinite mindset… it’s not some fluffy concept. It’s a gritty, real-world choice to play the long game, and Sinek nails the three things you…