Midway through my first LSD trip I experienced something that had previously been entirely foreign to me - a complete stillness and cessation of thought. My mind was usually turbulent as thoughts frequently crashed like waves, however, now it had reached a point where it had settled and it felt as calm and serene as the water on an undisturbed lake. Every part of me existed in the present and there was an absence of trying or wanting or craving, it was absolute contentment. If ever the word peace could be applied to anything it would be this stillness, for it is utter peace. As a sufferer of chronic anxiety, I had no idea one’s mind could even exist in such a state and since that day it has been my underlying purpose in life to awaken that state within. It is something I am driven by as I try daily not to get too caught up in all of this “mind stuff”.

Eastern philosophy has traditionally referred to this stillness. I think ultimately it is this stillness that is what lies beneath. It is a stillness that is with you wherever you go, and though the outside world may appear constantly moving and hectic, the stillness is always residing within. Even when we enter the DMT world and are subjected to a blistering array of chaos and unfathomable scenes, I think it all comes from, and is born out of this stillness.

Has anyone else had experiences of this, whether through psychedelics or not? Any thoughts?

Some quotes on stillness:

“Be still, and know that I am God” - Psalm 46:10

“Nirvana is perfect stillness. The nature of all things is perfect stillness. If you attain these first two points, you can then realize that this world is already completely empty and still. Nothing ever comes or goes. God, Buddha, nature, substance, mind – where do they all come from?” – Zen Master Seung Sahn

“The faith uttered one Word; that Word is His Son: and He utters Him for ever in everlasting silence, and in silence the soul has to hear It.” – Saint John of the Cross

“Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the ‘I am’ that is deeper than name and form” - Eckhart Tolle

“For she is the gateway to all creation from which Heaven and Earth were born,

her power always remaining unbroken

In the silence you will hear her without fail

In the stillness she will reveal her mysteries

Draw upon her wisdom as drawing water from a well, gently as her well is everlasting” – Tao Te Ching

“abide in stillness, without any stir

Of tongue, mind, body. And behold

The effulgence of the Self within;

The experience of Eternity; absence

Of all fear; the ocean vast of Bliss.” – Ramana Maharshi

M_X_E

I remember the seldom occasion where even on spice I touched that area.

It seems very contradicting to spice actually, but it happened, the total stillness in a frozen time, not even time. Just presence.

No emotions/feelings either so it was not wonderful nor creepy.
I considered it a privilege and as you say it feels like always present, yet usually filled-in with some dynamics.

It lets me think of the canvas behind the paint,
it does not "want" as that is the job of the paint.
I still saw my surrounding like the canvas seeing the paint,
but the restless paint has a hard time (unaware?) of it's supporting canvas.

Sort of

I find that my mind is usually in a state of stillness like this. I usually feel what you would call being at peace, as I try to not focus on the past or the future but the here and now, whatever situation I am presently in. If I'm at work or school, or out doing stuff, that stillness is not there. If I am at home or doing activities I enjoy, all thought seems to dissipate and I am left in a state of stillness. Sometimes it can seem like a negative thing though, but others it is very nice. Especially when out in nature, being able to just take everything in as it is without contemplating anything about it.

On LSD this stillness turns into complete bliss. Its very hard to describe the difference between the normal stillness, and the stillness that is experienced while on LSD. It's more serene, and beautiful. It happens like this on mescaline too. It's a very interesting state, and it feels like I am being cradled by whatever entities or powers control this universe, allowing me to let go of all emotions and thoughts, to simply be. It's a beautiful thing.

While peaking on LSD I've had the sudden overwhelming sensation of complete time-stoppage, but it was pure "SHOCK AND AWE" rather than "Total Peace". It was almost exactly like the Beatles' song "A Day in the Life" where the music builds in a crescendo and then abruptly stops, right before the endless chord.

Somewhere some zen monk once wrote about how to find balance and stillness, and it goes something like this:

"If you wish to find the exact balance or center while standing, notice that as you stand you tend to slowly lean first in one direction, and then you compensate by leaning back towards a central point - this is all very minute movements. By focusing in on the act of rebalancing and nothing else, eventually you reach a state of perfect center.

It works on a physical level, but obviously it's also a metaphor for how to develop stillness inside the mind / being - both in a short term (meditation) and long term (lifestyle / learning)."

I can't say that I've experienced anything like that except when meditating, and the few times it's happened fully, the sheer overwhelming power of the experience has had a lasting effect, often what happens in those few moments lingers in my mind for days or weeks, even though the absolute stillness maybe only lasts a second / few seconds (because at that point my mind goes "WHOA OMG WOW WTF IS HAPPENING THIS IS AMAZING".

I imagine that if one could put their consciousness into the exact center of the axle of a giant wheel, the exact mathematical point where there is absolutely no movement apart from a rotation around the center of the self - and that center of the self being where one's self is, then there would be no forces felt - no centrifugal forces. A perfect calmness. An awareness that there is a massive amount of movement that is occurring, but that movement is not "within" the self, but "without" the self - and somehow this stillness one experiences and the movement that exists "out there" are linked, and this system starts at the smallest central part of the self and extends out to beyond the limits of infinity.

Hey there Hanumanji, that sounds like a really beautiful experience, thankyou for sharing it.

I remember when i was initially exploring mushrooms that i'd briefly experience this stillness, it felt so simple at the time, almost like it was impossible to lose it, until of course my mind started thinking again... ironically about how to keep this awesome state. Much like you described I was compelled to find out how to remain in this stillness during everyday life, i trusted it was possible as it felt so natural rather than an intoxication, it was like just being true to myself.

I feel that realizing ones essential inseparability from this stillness, the calm eye of the storm, is the foundation of all understanding, and also the basis for being mentally healthy. Simply by being still we can come to the same insights about ourselves/the universe that many Sages have spoken of, just like those lovely quotes you posted.

Here's some more...

In the still mind, in the depths of meditation, the Self reveals itself.
Beholding the Self by means of the Self, an aspirant knows the joy and peace of complete fulfillment.
- Sri Krishna

To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.
- Jiddu Krishnamurti

The mind cannot go to touch It, or to reach It,
and will miss It if it tries to find It.
These attempts are movements hiding the Stillness.
It is found only by Itself when mind does not move.
-Papaji

Stillness is the sole requisite for the realisation of the Self as God.
- Sri Ramana Maharishi

I discovered this being of stillness many years ago. It is sober, silent, true and graceful. Even these words do not compare. Nothing seems comparable. And yet still, has no place to go. Nor did it ever arrive. Subtle yet strong. This realization of presence purges the mind of attachments, ego and redundant thinking. The heart opens, the mind may beg for mercy. And yet so, 'I' remains as one. Language cannot discern this. Stay there. Be in the joy of what is.

Conceptually, where does the tree go when the storm passes? A little shed of leaves, maybe. Yet, the roots stay within strength and dignity. The root of who and what you are. Our thoughts are not us, they pass in time. It's the seer that places itself onto those thoughts. That which observes is also observing the seer.

Wow Im so glad I found this place. What brilliant, open minded people you are!
The last trip I experienced a stillness. It only lasted for a moment, but it was a moment of perfect calm, silent, understanding.
I will meditate until I feel completely at ease, and then slowly toke on a vape for a few minutes. The primary experience is meditation, using the spice to amplify and deepen it. This was the first DMT trip that I made a point to keep my eyes open. All the beauty I was seeing, at one point just connected and opened. I stopped feeling my body. I stopped seeing my environment, hearing the music, smelling the incense. I didn't need anything but this awareness.
I am excited to find that stillness again, and integrate it into my lifestyle / learning, as vvnvv stated.