Stillness in the Storms

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukTwo words I have said roughly 25,000 times. Most of them on autopilot.DescriptionTwo words. Probably the most common two words spoken in the English language. Two words I say almost every single morning, and you probably do too. I'm fine. In this episode I work out that I have said it about 25,000 times to my carers over the last 35 years, and almost none of those times did I actually stop and think about it. I want to look at why we say it, what it costs us, and what happens when we don't. There is a Brené Brown quote, an old Zen master story I have always loved, a Thursday afternoon last week where I cried for 20 minutes and then bought a book on Amazon, and a small image about letting go before your hand hurts. You don't have to stop saying I'm fine. You just have to notice when you do.Key Topics25,000 mornings, two carers, and the most automatic answer in my lifeWhy "I'm fine" is armour, and why armour is not always the wrong thing to wearThe three reasons we wear it (and why "just think positive" is the worst advice in self help)The cost of saying it on autopilot, especially to the people who actually want to hear youAn old Zen story about a master on his deathbed who said the most enlightened thing he could have saidBrené Brown on numbing emotions, and why you cannot block only the bad weatherA real Thursday afternoon I sat here and cried for 20 minutes, then immediately bought a bookThe hand metaphor: I let go a little earlier than I used to, before my hand hurtsCompanion MeditationWhen Anxiety Visits (IPM101). Five minutes. You sit down, you say hello to whatever is actually here, and you ask it why it came. It is the practical opposite of saying "I'm fine." Available on Insight Timer, Aura, and the Inner Peace Meditations podcast.If this episode meant something to you, please share it, leave a review, or treat me to a coffee at stevenwebb.uk.SupportersAlex, Nina, Zoe, A Ma, Kevin, Katarzyna, Deborah, Christopher, and Ariel for recent coffees and PayPal donations.Special thanks: MumMik's Cleaning Services for buying a course this week.You keep this podcast advert free.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukBack to Basics: Why Meditate?DescriptionYou've tried meditation. Maybe you dip in and out of it. You feel a little better for a few days, then life gets loud and you forget. Then you snap at someone, or you fire off the email you regret, and you think "I know better than this." This episode is for you, and honestly, it's for me too.In this back to basics episode, I bust the biggest myths about meditation. I talk about why we don't meditate to clear the mind, why five minutes really is enough, why a wandering mind is not a failed mind, and why the real test of meditation is not how peaceful you feel on the cushion, but how you handle the family barbecue, the doctor's waiting room, and the colleague who winds you up.If you've ever felt like you're doing meditation wrong, this is your invitation to start again. Simply, honestly, and from wherever you are.Key topicsWhy meditation matters in real life, not just on the cushionThe seven biggest myths about meditation, bustedThe gap between thought and reaction, and why it's the whole gameWhy little and often beats long and rareHow to know if your meditation practice is actually workingCompanion meditationInner Peace Meditations #99: Peace Right Where You Are. A simple five minute guided meditation to go with this episode. No visualisation, no setup, no special place. Just breath, thoughts, and the peace that's already here.With thanks toSin, Margaret, Annie, Melike, Helen, Laura, Adam, Dominique, and a special welcome to Linda who has just joined as a new monthly supporter. You are the reason this podcast stays advert free.If this episode meant something to you, please share it with someone who might need it, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or treat me to a coffee at stevenwebb.uk.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukWhat Rises When You Stop PushingAn Easter Sunday conversation about what comes back to us when we finally stop forcing. Steven opens with daffodils appearing on Cornish roadsides and moves into a wide-ranging reflection on renewal — drawing on Alan Watts, Shunryu Suzuki, and Junpo Denis Kelly to explore why the things we thought we'd lost often return on their own. This one speaks directly to anyone at a low point.All episodes of Stillness in the Storms are brought to you without adverts by the generous donations of listeners treating Steven to a coffee.DETAILSLevel: All levels Type: Conversational podcast episode Duration: ~20:00 Companion meditation: Inner Peace Meditations EP97 — "Find the Green Shoot"IN THIS EPISODEDaffodils on roadsides and what spring actually looks like before it looks like springAlan Watts on waves and rhythm — the wave rises, crests, and falls, but the ocean never runs out of wavesJunpo Denis Kelly on what arises first: caring. Anger comes from caring.Shunryu Suzuki and beginner's mind — meeting the season as though you've never seen one beforeA reference to Tony Hoagland's poem "The Color of the Sky" and the line about the end turning out to be the middleSteven's own recent hospital stay and what it clarified about renewalA direct word to anyone feeling behind or broken: you're neitherWHO IS THIS FOR?You're going through a difficult period and need to hear that it doesn't last forever — without being told to think positiveYou're curious about Alan Watts, Zen philosophy, or contemplative ideas but want them grounded in real life, not theoryYou've been forcing yourself to recover, improve, or move on and it's not workingYou want a thoughtful Easter listen that goes deeper than chocolate eggsYou enjoy Steven's conversational style and want something reflective to sit with over a cup of teaWHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAYA different way to think about low points — not as failure but as the turning point of a wavePermission to stop forcing renewal and trust that some things return on their ownA felt sense of being spoken to honestly by someone who has been thereFresh ways into Watts, Suzuki, and Kelly that connect to everyday experienceThe companion meditation (IPM EP97) as a practice to carry the themes furtherABOUT STEVEN WEBBSteven Webb is a meditation teacher, podcaster, politician, and the host of Inner Peace Meditations. A former mayor of Truro in the county of Cornwall, Steven continues to split his time between politics and the contemplative work he is best known for. After a life-changing accident left him paralysed from the chest down, he found his way to inner peace through mindfulness, Zen philosophy, and the teachings of Alan Watts and Shunryu Suzuki. He now helps others find calm and resilience — especially those who find meditation difficult. Steven lives in Cornwall, England and shares his work at stevenwebb.com. You can also find his podcast on politics and public life, Stillness in the Storms, at https://stillnessinthestorms.com/KEYWORDSstillness in the storms, renewal, spring, Alan Watts, Shunryu Suzuki, Junpo Denis Kelly, beginner's mind, Easter, inner peace, low point, waves

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukEpisode DescriptionYou've built a life. You've done the things you were supposed to do. But underneath it all, there's a quiet question that won't leave you alone: "Is this all there is?" In this episode, Steven Webb shares the deeply personal story of lying in a hospital bed at eighteen, paralysed and unable to speak, wrestling with the two biggest questions of his life. What he discovered is that "is this all there is?" isn't a sign of ingratitude or crisis. It's a doorway to something extraordinary: wonder, mystery, and the breathtaking magic of not knowing. Drawing on the wisdom of Rumi, Alan Watts, and Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki, Steven explores how we can trade our cleverness for bewilderment and see the world through beginner's eyes again.Who Is This Episode For?This episode is for anyone who has ever looked at their life and felt that quiet ache of "is this it?", especially when everything looks fine on the outside. If you're in midlife and questioning what it's all been for, if you feel guilty for wanting something deeper when you know you should be grateful, or if you've simply stopped seeing the magic in everyday moments, Steven Webb recorded this conversation for you.What You'll Hear in This EpisodeSteven opens with a vivid image of a butterfly landing in front of you and asks when you last truly saw the world for the first time. He then takes you back to his hospital bed at eighteen, where two questions rattled around in his mind for months: "Who am I?" and "Is this it?" He explores why this question tends to arrive in midlife, when the forward momentum of building a career, a family, and a life finally slows down enough for you to look around and wonder what it was all for. Carl Jung's idea of the second half of life as a turning inward sits alongside Rumi's invitation to sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment, Alan Watts' beautiful image of the unknown becoming a window rather than a blank space, and Shunryu Suzuki's teaching on beginner's mind. Steven weaves in a story about a little girl discovering that the world through a caravan window is the same world outside the door, and his own moment watching a wave at the Headland Hotel and realising that exact wave would never happen again. The episode closes with a powerful reframe: the question was never really "is this all there is?" The question was always "am I paying attention?"Memorable Quotes from This Episode"That question is not a sign that something's wrong with you. It might actually be one of the most important questions you've ever asked." — Steven Webb"You are not ungrateful. You're not broken. You are not having some kind of crisis." — Steven Webb"Not knowing didn't become a wall. It became a window." — Steven Webb"Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." — Rumi"In beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in an expert's mind there are few." — Shunryu Suzuki"The magic is in not knowing. The magic is in the fact that right now, in this moment, you are a conscious being in an incomprehensibly vast universe, and you have no idea why. And to me, that's not depressing. That's breathtaking." — Steven Webb"The question was never really, is this all there is? The question was always, am I paying attention?" — Steven WebbTry This TodayNext time the "is this it?" feeling visits you, don't push it away. Go outside or look out of a window. Pick one thing: a tree, a cloud, a bird, a wave. And look at it as if you've never seen it before. Because in a very real sense, you haven't. That exact moment, that exact configuration of light and shadow, has never existed before and will never exist again. Let yourself be bewildered by it.Supporter ThanksThis podcast is completely free and has no adverts or sponsors. It is made possible entirely by the kind people who treat Steven to a coffee. Every contribution pays for the podcast and supports all of Steven's work.A huge and heartfelt thank you to this episode's supporters: Angie, Helen, Suja, Suzanne, Lorna, Liz, Daphne, Sarah, Mikey, Jen, and Venetia. And to the monthly supporters: Joe, Audra, Sin, Jack, Glen, Barb, and Venetia. Thank you also to the wonderful supporters on Insight Timer.If this episode helped you, please consider buying Steven a coffee. Even one makes a difference.About Steven WebbSteven Webb is a meditation teacher, former Mayor of Truro, and C5 tetraplegic. He has spent decades learning what it means to find peace in the most difficult circumstances. Through Stillness in the Storms, he offers honest, warm conversations to help people navigate life's hardest moments. Through Inner Peace Meditations, he provides guided meditations as companions to each episode.Find out more and explore all of Steven's work at stevenwebb.ukConnectWebsite: https://stevenwebb.ukListen, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. Sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear it is one of the best ways to support the show.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukEpisode DescriptionFor years, you've been the go to person. The mother, the partner, the colleague, the carer. Your whole identity is wrapped up in what you do for others. But what happens when the kids leave, or the career changes, or you just stop long enough to ask… who am I underneath all of that?In this episode, Steven shares a personal story from his time as Mayor of Truro, where former mayors warned him about the strange emptiness that comes when a defining role ends. He explores why losing a role can feel like grief, why that "who am I now?" question is not a sign of ingratitude but an invitation to go deeper, and how you can start the quiet, beautiful process of meeting yourself again.If you've ever felt lost in the space between who you were and who you're becoming, this one is for you.In This EpisodeSteven talks about the identity we build from doing things for others and what happens when those roles shift or fade. He explores why this transition hurts so much and why grief and gratitude can exist side by side. He shares wisdom on sitting in the uncomfortable "in between" space rather than rushing to fill it. And he offers a simple five minute practice you can try today to begin reconnecting with who you really are beneath the roles.Key ThemesIdentity and midlife transitions. The grief of losing a role. Empty nest and changing family dynamics. Finding stillness in the not knowing. Meeting yourself again after decades of caring for others.Memorable Moment"You are not your roles. You never were. The mother, the carer, the professional, the person everyone depends on: those are things you do, and you do them beautifully. But they are not who you are. Who you are is the one who remains when all of that falls away. And she is still there. She's been waiting for you."Try This TodayFind five minutes of quiet. Sit with a cup of tea, go for a short walk, or sit somewhere peaceful. Ask yourself: "What would I do today if nobody needed anything from me?" Don't judge the answer. Just notice what comes up. That's a thread. Keep pulling gently on it and it will lead you back to yourself.Support This PodcastStillness in the Storms is completely free with no adverts and no sponsors. It exists because of the kind people who treat Steven to a coffee. Every contribution helps pay for the podcast and supports all of Steven's work.A huge thank you to this episode's supporters: Tiffany, Fran, Kay, Caroline, Ruth, Mazdak, Cara, Suja, and several generous anonymous donors, along with supporters on Insight Timer.If this episode helped you, please consider buying Steven a coffee. Even one makes a difference.About Steven WebbSteven Webb is a meditation teacher, former Mayor of Truro, and C5 tetraplegic. He has spent decades learning what it means to find peace in the most difficult circumstances. Through Stillness in the Storms, he offers honest, warm conversations to help people navigate life's hardest moments.Find out more and explore all of Steven's work at stevenwebb.ukConnectWebsite: https://stevenwebb.ukListen, subscribe, and leave a review on your favourite podcast app. Sharing this episode with someone who needs to hear it is one of the best ways to support the show.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukForget Resolutions: Why One Word Is All You Need This YearHappy New Year to you all! It is great to be back recording after a tough few weeks battling a severe chest infection. Before we dive into today’s episode, I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported me and donated over Christmas.Your kindness keeps this podcast ad-free and helps cover the editing and admin costs which allows me to keep going. A special shout out to Jessica, Laura, Catherine, Joan, Ulysses, Lisa, Kerry, and Audra. And wow, thank you to Joan and Ulysses for the 40 coffees! You are all absolutely brilliant.In this episode:I share a bit about my recent battle with "man flu" and the complications of dealing with a chest infection while being paralyzed. It was a stark reminder of how fragile things can be, leading to an ambulance visit and plenty of steroids.But this experience led me to my focus for this year. Instead of setting strict resolutions that we often break, I am inviting you to choose just one word for the year. My word is Simplify.We explore what it means to strip life down to its simplest form to remove obstacles and reduce suffering. Whether it is closing tabs on a browser or just sitting in silence, simplifying is about finding peace in the moment.We also talk about:Why I chose "Simplify" as my word for the year.The spiritual journey of reducing suffering and attachment.How to handle emotions like anxiety and overwhelm by listening to what they are teaching us.Examples of words you might choose, such as Acceptance, Trust, release, or Curiosity.What is your word for the year? I would love to hear it.Links and Contact: If you want to get in touch, share your word, or just say hello, you can message me directly at:https://stevenwebb.ukThank you for listening and for your continued support.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukToday, we're diving into the topic of inner peace and what it truly means. I share my personal journey of finding peace, especially after a life-changing injury that left me paralyzed. It’s not about always feeling good or avoiding pain; instead, it’s about recognizing that peace is always there beneath the chaos of life. I also unpack five common myths about inner peace that I used to believe, which held me back from truly understanding it. By the end of this episode, I hope to help you see how to tap into that inner calm, even when life gets tough. If you're curious to learn more, check out my website at https://stevenwebb.uk.In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, host Steven Webb shares his personal journey of finding inner peace after being paralyzed from the neck down. He offers practical wisdom and debunks common myths about what it means to be at peace, revealing that it's a state that is always accessible, even in the midst of life's greatest challenges.Benefits of Listening:Learn how to find inner peace, regardless of your external circumstances.Discover why you don't need to control your thoughts to be at peace.Understand that inner peace is not a permanent state, but a practice.Learn how to be fully present and engaged with life, without clinging or grasping.Be inspired by Stephen's story of resilience and hope.Key Quotes:"We are at peace when we're not suffering, or when we're doing something we enjoy.""Inner peace is always there. It's always present. A peaceful, quiet world is always present, even in the most dire circumstances.""You cannot wait until life calms down. You won't be able to have peace once life's sorted.""Peace means being fully present. It means without clinging and without that grasping."The Five Myths of Inner Peace:Inner peace means never feeling pain or discomfort.You must control your thoughts to be at peace.You find peace once life calms down.Inner peace is a permanent state.Peace means detachment from life.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk Episode DescriptionHave you ever felt adrift, wishing you had a wise and unconditionally loving guide to help you navigate life's storms? What if that guide was already inside you, waiting to be discovered?In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, Steven explores the transformative concept of "self-parenting," inspired by the work of Gabor Maté. This isn't about harsh discipline or re-living your childhood; it’s about learning to trade your harsh inner critic for a compassionate, wise, and loving inner parent.Discover how to identify the areas in your life—from procrastination and setting boundaries to health and self-talk—where this gentle inner guidance can bring more peace, accountability, and profound kindness. This episode is your invitation to cultivate the most supportive and empowering relationship you will ever have: the one with yourself.In This Episode, You Will Learn:What it truly means to "parent yourself" and why it's a powerful tool for personal growth and mental wellness.How to recognize the everyday moments where a kind, internal parent can help you make better choices (like getting out the door on time!).The crucial difference between self-criticism, which stifles growth, and self-acceptance, which creates the space for positive change.Practical areas where you can apply self-parenting today: managing your time, making healthier choices, and balancing work, life, and play.The most important role of your inner parent: offering yourself the unconditional love and reassurance you deserve, especially when you're struggling.Resources MentionedSupport the Podcast & Find More from Steven: Discover courses, meditations, and ways to support the show at https://stevenwebb.uk.Companion Meditations: Listen to guided meditations that accompany the podcast episodes on the Inner Peace Meditations podcast.Upcoming Course: Stay tuned for Steven's new 7-day audio course, "How to Find Peace in Busy Times."

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk🧘 Episode SummaryIn this episode of Stillness in the Storms, I talk about attachment. It's one of the biggest causes of suffering, but I'm not here to tell you to let go. I think that advice is nonsense. What if instead of trying to let go, we simply allowed things to be as they are?I share what attachment has looked like in my life. From cigarettes to identity to the future I imagined that never arrived. You'll also hear from members of my WhatsApp group who told me what they find hardest to let go of. We cover nostalgia, self-worth, change, and why trying so hard is often the problem.This is not about giving everything up. It’s about loosening the grip, opening your hand, and allowing what comes and goes to just be.🎧 Why ListenYou are struggling to let go and nothing seems to workYou are attached to a past version of yourself or a future that never cameYou want a down-to-earth take on mindfulness and Buddhist teachings that make sense in real lifeYou are tired of chasing happiness and need space to breathe🌟 Quotes from the Episode“Letting go is pants. It doesn’t work. Just open your hand and let it be.”“You don’t have to give something up forever. Just give it up for one hour.”“You’re not a smoker who gave up. You’re just someone who didn’t smoke this hour.”“The minute you stop trying to be better, the better version of you starts to show up.”“Buddhism doesn’t say don’t love. It says don’t cling.”“Enjoy the moment but don’t become attached to it. Let it come and go.”☕ Thank YouThis podcast is free and always will be because of the people who support it. I do not run adverts. That’s a choice I make so you can tune in and hear what I have to say without interruption.Huge thanks toSenga – your five coffees came in just as I hit recordMichael, Dominique, Ulysses – yes, you bought 34 coffees, you legendNick, Julie, and Anne – thank you so muchAnd to all my monthly supporters – I see you and I’m deeply gratefulIf you want to support the show and keep it advert-free, the link is in the notes. Supporters also get access to the private WhatsApp group where I share new meditations and episodes first, and where we talk honestly about the stuff that matters.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukMeditation that goes with this podcast: A Dharma Meditation Beyond OverthinkingOverthinking Is Not Your Fault (But Here's How to Stop)In this episode of 'Stillness in the Storms', host Steven Webb explores the concept that we are not our thoughts. He discusses how thoughts arise from the subconscious mind and how we can learn to observe them without attachment. Through personal anecdotes and insights into meditation, he emphasizes the importance of awareness in managing overthinking and anxiety. The episode encourages listeners to become observers of their thoughts and to choose which thoughts to engage with, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and mindful existence.TakeawaysYou are not your thoughts; you have thoughts, but they do not define you.The subconscious mind generates thoughts that can be observed without attachment.Meditation helps in recognizing the distinction between thoughts and awareness.Negative thoughts are a natural part of human experience and survival.Choosing which thoughts to engage with can change your mental trajectory.Awareness of thoughts allows for greater control over emotional responses.Thoughts often originate from external influences, not just personal experiences.You can smile at your thoughts and not take them seriously.The journey to awareness often involves exploring different spiritual practices.Your subconscious mind is designed to support you and bring forth thoughts that align with your desires.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukSelf-acceptance is key, and today we dive into how Zen teaches us to stop needing to fix our lives. We explore what Zen really means and how we can apply it to our daily routines without it just being some trendy catchphrase. Through this episode, we challenge the idea that our lives are broken and discuss the importance of embracing the present moment as it is. I share personal stories and insights on how Zen can help us find peace amidst chaos. So, let’s sit back, relax, and learn how to just be in our moments without the urge to change everything around us.Self acceptance is a journey we all navigate, and in this episode, Steven Webb dives deep into the concept of Zen and how it relates to our everyday lives. He shares a powerful quote: "Zen doesn't fix your life; it stops you needing to." This sets the stage for a conversation about what Zen truly means. It's not just a trendy phrase or a meme we see online; it's about embracing the present moment and realizing that life is not broken, but rather, we often feel the urge to fix things that don't need fixing. Steven invites listeners to explore how to incorporate Zen into their lives, focusing on being present and accepting ourselves as we are. He emphasizes that life is full of challenges, but rather than trying to change everything, we can learn to sit with our experiences and recognize that suffering is part of being human. By adopting a Zen mindset, we can find peace in the chaos and appreciate the beauty of the moment without the constant need for improvement.Takeaways: Zen doesn't fix your life but helps you stop needing to fix it. Being present in the moment allows you to accept life as it is right now. The desire to always fix things can lead to never-ending dissatisfaction in life. Happiness is not an achievement but an experience that happens in the mundane.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk🧘 Host:Steven Webb – Meditation Teacher & Former Mayor of Truro🌀 About This Episode:What if the key to less suffering wasn’t found in avoiding pain—but in feeling it all? In this powerful episode of Stillness in the Storms, Steven Webb explores why allowing yourself to feel deeply might be the most healing, human thing you can do.We’re often told to “stay positive” and “chin up,” but what if the real strength lies in making room for grief, sadness, loneliness, and joy alike? Steven shares personal reflections, Zen wisdom, and practical insight into how embracing every emotion can make you more whole—and more at peace.Whether you’re feeling stuck in your sadness, disconnected from joy, or overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life, this episode is an invitation to stop running and start listening... to yourself.🎧 What You’ll Learn:Why people who feel deeply often suffer less, not moreThe real meaning of emotional wholenessHow to stop identifying with your emotionsThe ego vs. the “big mind”—and why balance mattersA simple shift in language that changes how you relate to feelings✨ Takeaway:You don’t need to fix every emotion. You just need to feel it, then let it pass. That’s where peace begins.💛 Support the Podcast:If this episode moved you, consider buying Steven a coffee at stevenwebb.uk. No adverts, just real conversations—thanks to listeners like you.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.ukSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukTaking little timeouts can be a powerful spiritual practice. I’m Steven Webb, and today we dive into how those forced pauses in our day can help us find inner peace, even when life feels chaotic. We often think that spirituality means lengthy meditation sessions, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Instead, we can use everyday moments—like waiting at a traffic light or taking a breath before a meeting—to reconnect with ourselves. Let’s explore how these simple breaks can help us manage stress and stay present, making our spiritual journey a lot more manageable and meaningful.Finding peace in a fast-paced world can be a daunting task, but it’s all about perspective. This podcast episode dives into the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the simple yet profound practice of taking timeouts to reconnect with ourselves. I share my own experiences, noting that while I can smile and breathe, the challenge often lies in slowing down. The message here is that spirituality can be found in the everyday moments, not just in long meditation sessions or complicated practices.Throughout our conversation, I encourage listeners to embrace the forced pauses in their daily lives, such as waiting at traffic lights or dealing with interruptions. These moments can be transformed into opportunities for mindfulness, helping us to breathe, reset, and refocus. By allowing ourselves to take these timeouts, we can cultivate a sense of calm that permeates our lives, helping us navigate the chaos with more grace and clarity.I remind everyone that the spiritual journey is not a straight line; it’s filled with ups and downs, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s about becoming more compassionate toward ourselves and recognizing that we’re all doing our best. By integrating these small moments of stillness into our day, we can create a more peaceful existence and ultimately allow ourselves to respond to life rather than react. This episode serves as a gentle nudge to appreciate the little pauses that life offers us and to use them as tools for growth and awareness.Takeaways: Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to smile, breathe, and take things slow in life. Spiritual growth isn't just about long meditations; it's about finding peace in small moments. Using forced timeouts can help us reconnect with ourselves and find inner calm. Compassion and self-acceptance are signs that your spiritual journey is making progress. Life's ups and downs are normal; accepting this messiness is part of the journey. Each little moment of stillness helps us build a longer fuse to manage stress better.