The Bench by the Banyan Tree: My Unexpected Conversation with Stillness

I never thought I’d find peace sitting on an old wooden bench beneath a banyan tree. But life, I’ve learned, has a quiet way of surprising you when you stop looking for surprises.

Last Sunday, I left my phone at home. Not by choice—it was dead and I was too lazy to charge it. I decided to step out for a walk anyway, something I hadn’t done in months. I usually have excuses. Too hot. Too tired. Too busy scrolling. 

But that day, I just walked.

There’s a small park five minutes from my apartment. I’d passed it a hundred times but never actually entered. A rusted green gate creaked open like it hadn’t seen visitors in years. Maybe it hadn’t.

Inside, there were overgrown bushes, a few wildflowers, and one magnificent banyan tree that stood tall like it had been watching the world change for decades.

 I sat on the bench under it, half expecting someone to come shoo me away. But no one did. 

At first, my mind was noisy. I kept reaching into my pocket, forgetting there was no phone to check. I thought about my deadlines, the dishes in the sink, and whether I’d left the gas stove on. But eventually, that noise began to fade. 

I listened to the wind rustling through the leaves. I watched an ant carrying a breadcrumb three times its size. I noticed how the sun filtered through the tree branches, creating moving shadows on the ground. I felt… still. 

I can’t remember the last time I felt that way.

Sitting there, I realized how much I had missed life’s little moments. Moments that don’t beg for likes or comments. Moments that exist simply because they do. And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t want to document it. I just wanted to be in it.

I think we all need a banyan tree bench in our lives—a pause button in the chaos. In our fast-paced world, where the noise of daily responsibilities often drowns out our inner thoughts, finding a sanctuary becomes essential. The banyan tree, with its sprawling roots and broad canopy, symbolizes a perfect retreat, a place to escape the relentless rush of life.

Imagine sitting on a bench beneath its shade, the air filled with the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft chirping of birds. It’s a space where time seems to slow down, allowing us to breathe deeply and reconnect with ourselves. Even if it’s just for ten minutes, this moment can serve as a reminder that we are not merely existing—going through the motions of life—but truly alive, experiencing the beauty around us.

Since that Sunday, I’ve started visiting the park more often. My phone usually stays home. And though the world hasn’t changed, something in me quietly has. 

Maybe that’s how change begins—with one step, one breath, and one unexpected conversation with stillness.

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