Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, fresh from space, has shared a moment that has left many both curious and calm. His latest Instagram video offers a rare, human peek inside the International Space Station—and a message that travels far beyond the stars.
Trying to Be Still, Failing Gracefully
In the short clip, Shukla sits cross-legged and floats gently, trying to stay still. His arms hover, and his body drifts slightly with every movement. He captioned the video with a note about how staying still in microgravity is harder than it looks. Even the smallest shift, he explained, sends your body moving.
He added that stillness, like calmness of mind, takes skill. “Kind of like our minds in this fast-moving world,” he wrote. “Take some time to be still today. It is important to sometimes slow down to be fast.” The short message struck a chord with many online.
A Mission of Discovery and Reflection
The footage was captured a few days after the crew arrived at the ISS. At first, adjusting to microgravity while handling daily tasks was a challenge. “Initially, it is a bit challenging as you are learning to move,” he noted in his caption. The crew also had to familiarise themselves with the space station’s layout.
Nicknamed “Shux” by his friends and colleagues, Shukla flew to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The crew launched on June 25 and returned safely on July 15. During the mission, they conducted more than 60 experiments contributed by scientists from 31 countries.
He became only the second Indian to visit space. The first was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.
Inspiring Stillness Across the World
The clip quickly gained attention online, with users praising its calming beauty. One person commented, “Floating around like that must feel surreal.” Another wrote, “This must inspire people to pursue stillness intentionally.”
Perhaps the most striking comment came from a user who echoed Shukla’s own words: “Being still is a challenge, with or without gravity.”
His mission may have ended, but Shukla’s message continues to travel—not just across timelines, but into hearts and homes.
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