BOWWBLOG #39: Finding Stillness in a Trembling World: What Eye Surgery Taught Me About Presence

How thirty years of meditation met a twenty-minute test in the operating room—and what it means for your daily life

WHAT: The Ultimate Test of Presence

For over thirty years, I have cherished the simple act of “just sitting.” The joy has been in the practice itself—a return to the quiet core of being. Yet, its true gift reveals itself not just on the cushion, but in the vivid tapestry of life: a deeper engagement, a sharper awareness of body and mind, and a calmer observation of the world’s constant flow.

Recently, this practice faced its most direct test.

During a delicate cataract procedure on my left eye, my surgeon gave a clear directive: “We need absolute stillness. Even a millimeter of movement matters.” This was a particular challenge due to my neck dystonia, which causes a persistent head tremor. For twenty crucial minutes, I could not afford a single unconscious twitch.

There I was, in the cold, sterile brightness of the operating room, my eye held open. My instruction was to focus solely on three dots of light in the center of the glare. So, I dropped into the deepest well of practice I knew.

I became an observer—of the efficient OR team, of the surgeon’s calm instructions, of the cold air, and of my own body. I scanned from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes and back, Vipassana-style, noting every sensation, every flicker of fear, every “what if” thought. I let them arise and pass, anchoring myself to those three dots and the steady rhythm of my breath. In that forced stillness, I found a profound, singular focus.

In the final minutes, I consciously shifted to Metta—loving-kindness. Silently, I wished: May I be safe. May I be well. May I be at peace. May I be happy.

And then, it was over.

SO WHAT: The Sanctuary is Always Within

This experience crystallized a vital truth: If we can access such clarity and calm under duress, we can certainly cultivate it in our daily lives. Focused attention isn’t a superpower for the few; it’s a trainable, accessible sanctuary. The mind that can find stillness while facing a surgeon’s laser is the same mind that gets hijacked by a phone notification.

And hijacked it is. We live in a state of constant, trance-like reaction. Our devices, with their pings and infinite scrolls, exploit our neurology:

· They fragment our focus with “switching costs” that drain cognitive energy.

· They train our brains for “popcorn” attention, eroding our capacity for deep thought.

· They trap us in dopamine loops, prioritizing the quick hit over long-term intention.

· They keep our nervous systems in a low-grade state of “technostress.”

We’ve handed over our attention, moment by moment, and wonder why we feel frazzled and ungrounded.

NOW WHAT: Claiming Your "Permission to Pause" (PTP)

The antidote is not to shun technology, but to strengthen the muscle of intentional attention. My experience proves the muscle is there. We just need to exercise it.

This is why at The TLC Solution, we advocate for a radical, simple act: Giving yourself Permission to Pause (PTP). It’s a conscious reclaiming of your mental space.

Here is your starter kit. Try just one this week:

1. The 60-Second "Dot" Focus:

· When: Feeling overwhelmed, between meetings, before checking email.

· How: Find a small, static object (a spot on the wall, a plant leaf, a coffee cup). For one minute, let your gaze rest on it softly. Notice its color, shape, texture. When your mind wanders (it will), gently bring it back to the object, just as I returned to the three dots. This isn’t about emptying your mind; it’s about choosing where to place it.

2. The "Breath Bridge" Before Reacting:

· When: A stressful notification pings, a frustrating email arrives.

· How: Before you react, stop. Take one conscious breath—feel the full inhale and the full exhale. This single breath creates a critical space between stimulus and your response. In that space, you regain agency to make a skillful and wholesome choice.

3. Schedule a "Micro-Metta" Moment:

· When: In a queue, waiting for a file to load, at a red light.

· How: Silently offer the wishes of loving-kindness to yourself: “May I be calm. May I be kind.” Then, if you wish, offer it to someone nearby: “May you be well.” This shifts your inner climate from irritation to connection.

You don’t need an operating room to practice profound presence. You only need the willingness to pause, breathe, and gently guide your attention home. Your focus is your most precious resource. Where you place it, shapes your reality. Where will you choose to place it next?

-Susan Grace Rivera

Posted on: February 08, 2026