BEAUTY of STILLNESS - Be QUIET - Be MINDFUL

How often have you been still? Really still and quiet? Part of our alienation with the world is our inability to stop and just be. We don’t need to do anything, have a purpose, or expect anything from the moment.

So give yourself the space to enjoy moments of stillness – to lean into them, to be nourished by them. Let stillness be a teacher and a friend. It is these moments of silence that open up a closer connection with others. We are able to express ourselves, ask for what we need, and give what we desire to give from the centre of our being.

As Rumi says, “Listen, silence isn’t empty, it is full of the answers.”

Filmed in Colesburg, South Africa.
Featuring Antony Osler.

All of our films are made possible through the generous support of our patrons.

Join our YouTube channel to get early access to our films :

Who is Reflections of Life? We are Justine and Michael (previously known as Green Renaissance). We use our passion for filmmaking and our love of storytelling, to remind our audience of one simple truth – that we are all human. The more that we understand and believe in this interconnectedness, the more we will treat ourselves, one another, and planet earth with a greater sense of compassion.

Editing - by Jackie Viviers
Sound mix - by Tamryn Breakey

Horizon - by Dear Gravity
Distant Embers - by Adi Goldstein
A Town Called Dismal - by Josh McCausland
Beholding - by Marshall Usinger
Birds Above - by Buddha Kid
Morning Dew - by Ardie Son
Hold Me - by Christopher Galovan

A huge thank you to these guys, who so generously gave of their to time to help with language translations:
Arabic - by Mohammad Alkhudhair
Assamese - by Partha Protim Borah
Catalan - by Pau Zabaleta
Chinese - by Loretta Jiayi Mao
Croatian - by Davor Bobanac
Dutch - by Karla Greven
English - by Justine du Toit
French - by Amélie Macoin
German - by Tanja Pütz
Greek - by Angeliki Papadimitriou
Hindi - by Parul Sharma
Indonesian - by Ary Nuansa
Italian - by Grazia Gironella
Korean - by Chloe Park
Macedonian - by Lidija Pusevska Markovska
Persian - by Mona Zadsham
Polish - by Anna Konieczna
Russian - by Assiya Marzhanova
Slovak - by Zuzana Beratsova
Vietnamese - by Minh Le

[asotpan]

I lost my wife of 50 years, 3 years ago. My children have left South Africa to seek their fortunes abroad. Most of my life is spent alone. At first it was really hard, but as time went by and after my acceptance that I had few options and just had to get on with my life. I am fortunate to be quite a creative person. I make knives, jewellery, Leatherwood and I paint, draw, make beer, brew bread and do a lot of journalling . It's during the making process of all I do, the design, preparation using the materials that is the zen for me.... my meditation! The focus on what am doing blocks my mind to depressing and nostalgic thoughts and get me through each day using time creatively.

[lambshepherd]

"My job as a human being is to wake up and find my real connection with this universe and all the people in it, including their suffering"

[atticuskilby]

"I don't feel afraid of being dead; what frightens me is of not living fully before I die". I concur fully.

[ADayInTheLifeofLori]

I am grateful for this gentle soul sharing his thoughts. I am 62 yrs old now and always thought there was something wrong with me. I was born introverted and physically oversensitive to my environment (hives, stomach issues, etc starting at a very young age). What “normal” people view as “outgoing” (loud, competitive, attention seeking) just feels like aggression to me. Often, I just go somehere and sit in my car (my quiet bubble) to decompress from this loud, high pressure existence. I look forward to retirement as a time when I will finally be able to live a quiet life, and to find a quiet way to be of more service to others.

[EastSeasons]

Every morning I go for a one hour walk at 5am to connect to the world. I see the moon I see the stars I hear the quiet I feel the presence Birds start to chirp This morning it was lightly raining but I kept walking. Amazing for my soul My day has now begun I'm 61

[amromer]

This channel has proven that genuine souls are still exists, and the human connections and feelings are mutually intelligible

[najmayousafali]

Literally I'm crying. I'm a 22 year old girl. But i feel the same as that kind man said. I wanna thank all the people who work behind this channel.i know therapy is expensive. So I'm watching this channel whenever i felt sad. Thank You once again❤️‍🩹

[sguy]

This is deeply relatable. I am very uncomfortable around crowds. But with animals and nature, I feel something full of bliss.

[sarahp]

So beautiful his way of looking at life.
"They say being older is not for sissies. I didn't find life easy when I was young at all. As a small boy I loved more than anything being on my own. There was something anxious and self conscious when I was around people.
When I was with a tree or a cat, the world was mine in a slightly different kind of way"

I felt so happy reading those lines. That was me.

That's exactly how I felt all along, and still do at 76.
Loved this gentleman's way of looking at life.
So reassuring !
Thank you Green Renaissance for this heart warming story.

[nadaali]

“I have no objection to being scattered in the fields and being forgotten” what a meaning full sentence 😢

[a.watching]

What I love about this channel is I find a piece of me in every person, they always find words to express some feelings or experiences I had or still having but couldn't express myself correctly.. Thank you so much for sharing your light ❤️

[mirchellepinpindg]

This is me in so many ways❤ Mr. Anthony Osler, you’ve put the words so eloquently out of my lips. You’re so on point in saying “ I don’t feel afraid of being dead, what frightens me is not living fully before I die.”

At 61, I’ve never felt so alone yet so at peace and joyful within for finally finding myself amidst the craziness of this world. Yet it’s that same insanity out there that drew me inward and then suddenly pushed me outward to see and feel my connectedness with all humanity, especially all the pain and suffering of those misjudged, misplaced by war, mistreated due to their beliefs about God or country.

I no longer question what’s wrong, but rather join them in prayer, in mindfulness and I try as best I could to do my part no matter how minuscule the impact. Bless you all for this wonderful reflection. The best so far for me!❤

[jenna]

Totally agree. I just turned 65 two days ago and I know I'm heading up the mountain now. Fewer and fewer people are along for my journey.

[Asrevan]

anthony and margie <3 i wanna hug you both.. beautiful souls beautiful hearts and beautiful souls.. such a real couple. wish you more years together..

[meditationJD]

It's the perfect day when you're still and alert. I find myself wondering where on earth is everyone going and it makes me sad. This in a wonderful video. very insiring.

[SFlaidlaw]

Watching these videos root me in the simplicity of life again. It is a step away from the hustle of life and back into myself. ❤❤❤

[lorrainegarreau]

I am reading all the comments and I am finding such happiness knowing that there are so many like minded people out there. I agree with everything he has said and feel the same, home in nature and happiness from within. I am learning a lot thru reading about Buddhism. We all can change the world with just a little compassion and understanding. Peace to all

[bunbwre]

This man described my first experience of prayer in Alcoholics Anonymous. I prayed and found that stillness. I then went to Canterbury Cathedral a few weeks later and had such a lovely experience of my mind completely clearing time and time again whilst in prayer. It was a gift that saved my life ❤.

[elephantshoes]

I think we as humanity, collectively need to 'wake up' as Antony says. To stop searching outside for what's actually within is the ultimate goal. I thoroughly enjoyed your wise words ❤

[bonnieclark]

When I really need to center myself again and stop the mess in my head I come here. You have become my sacred place for healing. So glad you are here. Can's believe a year has passed!