Symbolic Living » meditation

Full Moon in Pisces August 24, 2010

Symbolic Living — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:38:46 +0000

The Full Moon rolls into Pisces at 1:04pm EST on August 24, 2010.

Giving the Full Moon it’s glorious luminosity is the Sun which just moved from Leo into Virgo.

The sun shines bright from it’s practical, analytical side of the sky onto the moon’s mystic qualities.

School is starting (Oh no! for the young ones. Oh Yes! for the parents). It’s a time of dreaming what will be for the coming season. The sun is setting earlier and the Moon is visible longer at night in the darker sky.

Some people worry at this time of year about all the responsibilities ahead. Consider the responsibilities as opportunities for you to get your life more in tune with what you imagine it to be.

This is a time to be mindful and take yourself to the next level of self awareness. Turning off the tv at night and opening books on self-help will do you well. If you can’t tear yourself away from the tube try spending more of that tv time on watching documentaries that are inspiring. Do a search on youtube for Egyptian mysteries or similar spiritual mysticism. Expanding your awareness of the mystical side of life will impart more meaning on your existence and make it more interesting.

There is a mystical quality as the backdrop to all we do. Now is a good time to get in the chariot and direct your desires to experience, listen and live the purpose of your life. All those things you are so attached to in the daily grind will blur away as you tune into your more spiritual side. Don’t let them get too blurry though. Try to merge them so the quality of your life takes on a balance that makes you feel more awakened and alive.

You may feel movement of your emotions that vary from highly optimistic and empowered to very low. All of your thoughts and actions will be colored and influenced by movement of your emotional spectrum.

This is a time where sensitivity is heightened. Everyone has a sensitive side, respect it. Getting to know someone a bit better is possible, but many will feel a bit more secretive of their personal lives. Some people, that have a tendency to be untrustworthy, may be extra clever at wielding deception at this time. Don’t worry about it too much. You’re better off not knowing or getting involved if it’s just a bunch of bad karma they have hiding in their closet.

Veneration for the spiritual side of life is emphasized. Burn some incense, say a prayer, do a little meditation.

Empathy, love, kindness toward others are all brought forth from the depths of the soul. Even cooking a meal, or getting up early to make breakfast for a loved one will raise your spirits when done out of love and admiration. The right energy is there to help you move your emotions and spirit to a place that feels meaningful and worthwhile.

Self care and caring for others, especially loved ones (which includes you), is really going to take you to a higher place. Sensitivity towards others, showing compassion and caring will give you the experience of wholesomeness.

Alternative wellness such as reiki, sound therapy, visualization will further heighten a sense of awakening and being connected to that more mystical side of you. Just learning about these subjects will put you in a frame of mind that parallels the moon’s current energy.

Take a look at the moon tonight if you can. Let your mind wander to those far off places. The creative thoughts that come up could take you to places you had never expected before.

The tendency to be introverted can lead to depression or deep insights. If you are feeling depressed, just know the moon in Pisces emphasizes least resistance, so there could be a tendency to be lazy and unmotivated to do much of anything but daydream. That’s ok. You have to relax sometimes! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Enjoy it while it lasts. Be compassionate with yourself. Trust you are on the right path and taking some self-reflection me-time is ok. Taking that time can lead you to bigger and brighter ideas born from your insights into your life’s purpose.

The autumn season leads to a lot of action. The moon is optimizing the need to dream big, so go ahead. Any insights or inspiration? Write them down. Thoughts can be as fleeting as dreams. Here one minute, gone the next. Keep them on paper to review and expand on. Try to keep your thoughts on the benefits that can arise from being introspective.

Reading a good inspirational book and writing in your self-awareness journal can reveal deep, powerful insights into your potential.

Spending time with people who are down-in-the-dumps or who lack self-confidence can benefit from your compassionate, caring, and understanding side. Your willingness to listen and empathize is helpful, but please be careful not to get dragged down into a complaining, dwelling atmosphere. Feeding off each others negative energy won’t do anyone any good if you’re both in the dungeons of doom and gloom.

Many people will likely find themselves feeling more caring towards your friends, and partner, on a deeper level, seeing the truer, gentler reality behind the many masks we wear every day. Empathy towards your friends needs will lead to great bonding and loyalty. There’s a great balance with Venus and Mars right now so love life should be good for many.

Having disputes? This is a good time to focus on being fair, considering all sides of the issue. Your own and the other side to come to a compromise that leaves everyone feeling they’ve got their dignity left in tact.

Some people may try escaping their feelings and suggest going out to party and in the process get totally wasted. Suggest something to do together that is more inspiring and meaningful instead. It likely won’t be that difficult to convince another to be more responsible though.

Mercury is emphasizing common sense, but being in Virgo, and retrograde, redundant thoughts of worry are also in the air and we know what that can lead to. Use the Mercury energy to your advantage instead.

This is a time of career considerations. So many considerations can lead you to being a worry wart, or someone you know might be over analyzing their career life, they’re missing out on the everyday, here and now joys of just being alive.

Getting bogged down by details? Feel like there’s too much to think about? Too many options? Any feelings of nervousness should be countered with getting in touch with the body. Body, mind and spirit, remember the trinity within us all is unified. Doing something physical will bring your mind down to earth in a more grounded way that feels nurtured.

However, this is a really good time to be thinking about where you want your career to go. Making plans, developing a concrete business plan for instance, will allow you to direct all those thoughts and get them into an organized flow that lets you feel like you are building towards your future. Long term goals can be things to look forward to in your life, but don’t get overwhelmed. Look to role models. Read biographies that detail a natural progression that reaffirms that getting to a destination is possible with patience and planning. Things don’t happen overnight. Take this mercury retrograde phase as a gift to get things in order in your mind with how you want things to go.

Doing your job with determination and the right attitude will earn you more respect and give you a more influential edge to those surrounding you. Your visionary side can come in handy in overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities out of problems that brings the workplace to a more balanced place which can lead to a stronger foundation.

No matter what you’re doing, whether staying close to home to retreat, out socializing with friends, or hard at work, there is an underling current of the desire to find deeper meaning into the questions of why you’re doing what you are. How your ideas and actions are impacting and contributing to others life experiences is really important. Be mindful of how everything you are doing, saying, thinking and feeling is bringing you closer to a meaningful and soulful way of living.

It’s a good time to rethink your online social habits too. Spending too much time on mindless stuff, wasting time you could be using for bigger and better things? Consider utilizing your online social skills to better yourself in concrete ways that will enhance your position in career matters as well as personal learning that enhances your way of life.

Stay tuned for our regular installments of New Moon and Full Moon Forecasts by Symbolic Living.

Get a Reading of Your Own Personal Chart.
Contact us to find out more.

Please Click the Like and Tweet Button below to share with your online friends and followers.

Leave a comment if you wish. We hope you enjoy our forecasts.

More Related

Mountain Pose – Yoga

Symbolic Living — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:48:48 +0000

Start your Yoga practice with focus and attention. Be present.

Mountain Pose is one of the most basic yoga poses for beginners. Mountain Pose is a Standing yoga pose and is often the first posture to be learned.

Many yoga practice sequences begin and end with Mountain Pose. In sanskrit, mountain pose is called Tadasana.

This pose may look simple but in fact it is often difficult for people to master because it requires bringing equilibrium to the body and mind energies. Beginners should familiarize themselves with postures with regular practice and attention gradually and work on a variety of asana’s to correct any postural problems.

Beginning Mountain Pose:

Stand with feet together, big toes, ankles and heels touching.
Keep your knees straight, keeping your thigh muscles raised.
Lift the front of the body, extending the spine upwards towards the ceiling, stretching legs up.
Shoulder blades should be pulled back, towards each other, while the shoulders are held back.
Arms should hang loosely to the sides with hands facing the hips, relaxed.
Relax the face and extend the neck up looking straight ahead.
Your concentration should be focused on centering the body with your weight balanced on both feet equally.
Keep an awareness of the soles of your feet.
While extending upwards, make sure you are focused on both sides of the body equally.

When practicing Tadasana – Mountain Pose, stay in the posture for up to 60 seconds. If you are practicing Tadasana as part of a sequence of poses, less time is required.

Extra Notes:

Do not hold the breath.

If you have injury, back or knee problems, to not jump into poses, move into them gradually and gently.

As with all health care practices, consult your physician if you have concerns.

More Related

Quantum Oneness

Symbolic Living — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:58:23 +0000

This video details interesting aspects of ancient beliefs and eastern philosophies with modern science.

A pleasure to watch and to meditate on the mysteries of existence.

We hope you enjoyed this video and others we will be sharing.

More Related

Yoga Sun Salutations

Symbolic Living — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:41:47 +0000

Sun Salutations are an act of gratitude.

Gratitude to your life, your body, your spirit, your existence. Gratitude for the sun rising each day to warm you, to nourish life on the earth. Gratitude for the Divine union yoga offers.

Sun Salutations give you the opportunity to be connected with light and your heart.

You can do sun salutations any time, but a great time is in the morning when the sun is rising. Let the light of the sun shine on you and fill you with a feeling of wellness as you practice this yoga routine.

Sun salutations are quite simple to get into a routine. Simply put, they start from standing, down to the floor and back up to standing in sequence.

1. Standing in Mountain Pose

2. Forward Bend

3. Downward Dog

4. Updward Dog – Midpoint – time to reverse the sequence

5. Back to Downward Dog

6. Back to Forward Bend

7. Back to Standing

Breathing is important in Yoga. When you move, breathe. Inhale and Exhale fully. Let your breath flow with your movements.

1. Start, standing in Mountain Pose.

Stand with feet together. Looking straight ahead. Hands to your sides or together in front of your heart chakra.
Inhale, and raise your arms to the sky.
Look up to your hands.

2. Bend Forward at the waist.

Bend forward at the waist. Exhale.
Hands to the ground.
Head facing your knees.

3. Downward Dog

Inhale Look up while you’re still in forward bend.
As you Exhale Jump both feet back or step one foot back at a time about 3 feet.
Stay in Downward Dog Pose – Breathe. Inhale & Exhale a few times.

4. Upward facing Dog

Move from Downward Dog into an Upward Dog.
Do this by bending your elbows and bringing your chest towards the ground.
Then to get into the Upward Dog position look up to the sky, extend your arms.
Long Inhale through the movement.

5. Return to Downward Dog

Reverse out of Upward facing Dog back to Downward Dog.
Breathe a few times. Inhale. Exhale.

6. Return to Forward Bend

Jump both feet forward or step one foot up at a time.
Straighten your legs staying in forward bend at the hips.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale Look straight ahead by lifting your head.
Bring your head back down.

7. Return to Standing Mountain Pose

Come up from forward bend. Roll your spine up.
Raise your arms outwards and towards the sky. Inhale.
Exhale, arms back down to your sides.

If you are stepping one foot at a time instead of jumping to get into and out of Downward Dog, go through all seven steps on one side then the other. Thus, with the same foot coming forward and stepping back through the 7 part cycle. Then during the second cycle of the Sun Salutations use the other foot.

When you get used to doing sun salutations you can use it as a foundation to your practice, adding more poses to the sequence.

Enjoy the Sun. Enjoy Spring. Enjoy the Moment.

EternalBodhi.com Posted on Symbolic Living with permission

More Related

Rainbow Bridge

Symbolic Living — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:41:42 +0000

Get this movie

Sex, Drugs, Rock n’ Roll. Hippy’s travel to see Jimi Hendrix play in Maui. Along their journey after passing through California to catch a flight to Hawaii are many new age, philosophical discussions, yoga, meditation, chanting sessions, visits to a commune, and walks through rushing wind down mountain sides. This film captures the feeling and freedom of the time.

Both negative and positive comments arise by reviews of this film, depending on the viewers interests. For people who enjoy the feeling of the era, and peering into the lives of freethinking, spiritually philosophizing traveling hippies and listening to Jimi Hendrix perform live on stage this film is a relaxing treat. For those who are only interested in seeing Jimi Hendrix perform, skip ahead through the scenes of hippy lifestyles, which he was a part of in those times, to see him perform at the end.

More Related

Yoga Wisdom

Symbolic Living — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:12:33 +0000

Yoga has a long history and development on its way to the western world.

Yoga is an ancient practice with no confirmed date of origins, but stone seals found dating to 3000 B.C.E. depict yoga poses (asanas). The ancient sacred scriptures of Brahmanism – The Vedas are loosely dated as being written between 3000-1500 B.C.E. The Vedas contained mantras, rituals, spells, incantations, sacrifices and offerings to the gods in constructed teachings of how to transcend the limitations of the mind to connect with Ultimate reality. Yoga is one of the six branches of philosophy mentioned in the Vedas.

Later around 800-500 B.C.E. the texts of the Upanishads are an expansion of the Vedas teaching a more philosophical and mystical approach to liberation, focusing on an inner journey and universal consciousness.

The term Upanishads derives from upa “near”, ni “down” shad “sit” and refers to the aspiring student to be taught one on one with a guru. The sacrifice turned from outward actions to inner release of the ego. The Upanishads teach the yogic path of universality through oneness (union) with Divinity (Brahman) and the soul of the self. The connection of the body and mind through the breath and mantras, meditation, renunciation and concentration developed later into the eightfold path. The cycle of Karma still applies in the Upanishads with inner changes affecting the karmic cycle.

Bhagavad Gita is said to be dated to around 500 B.C.E. and is the most famous text of yoga. It speaks of the eternality of the soul and explains transcendence of ego, detachment to materialism, self discipline through actions and devotion, meditation and knowledge. The Gita expresses a unification of three yogic paths – Bhakti yoga (loving devotion), Karma yoga (service), and Jnana yoga (knowledge, wisdom, contemplation). Through the story of Krishna ’s teachings to Arjuna in the Gita, we learn of detachment to outcomes, thus living in the moment, an important aspect of yoga practice.

The Yoga Sutra is a series of compiled aphorisms by Patanjali dated between 200 B.C.E. – 400 C.E. and is considered to be the first organized layout of yogic practice. He developed the basis for Raja yoga / Ashtanga yoga, the eight-limbed path of liberation combining Karma yoga (hard work) and Jnana yoga (meditation, knowledge). His eight-limbed path is a focal path of many modern yoga schools of practice; however, his dualistic perception of reality has not largely been accepted over non-dualistic reality.

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit work Yuj “yoke” or “unite”. It is a Divine Science in a system of union of the self, body, mind and soul encompassing a diverse range of methods of working on our subtle energies, heightening consciousness, realizing the self and elevating our spiritual self while developing our faculties of perception. Yoga improves health, balances the energetic system, fosters body wisdom, control of psychic energy and ultimately leads to liberation, transcendence and enlightenment, realization of oneness, and unity with the Divine.

In Yoga we learn to feel the moment, to be present. The most common association of yoga in the western practice is in the use of asana’s. In the practice of postures it is not about how far one can stretch or how long one can hold a pose; it’s about being present, aware, and experiencing consciousness. To compare oneself to another’s abilities in yoga is to be falling into the ego self and thus is not union at all but denotes separation.

In Yoga one lifts the veil that separates our consciousness from the self allowing for realization and awareness of the inner self, the flowing life force energy and the presence of Divinity. Attention to the experience of the present moment in time becomes noticed, detaching oneself from extraneous thoughts, clearing thinking, focusing the willpower, and stabilizing the minds attention span.

Postures are an integral part of yoga and affect patterns of thinking. Consider ones posture when depressed, shy or self conscious. The head is usually down with shoulders hunched forward, low energy, lack of will and motivation. This reflects an external manifestation of the internal. When one is joyous, feels connected, grounded and open, the posture is upright, eyes looking outward, projecting a higher energy level and motivation. This is the power of yoga to change the energy levels of the body, mind, and emotional state. By placing the body into postures, we reverse the process and the experience of energy levels change on many levels. Learning, growth and realization of the self unfold, and spiritual, metaphysical energies change.

When we are unaware, living unconsciously; stress, anxiety, and negative patterns of thinking shows up in our body, our personality, and in our spiritual lives. We feel disconnected, breathing may be short, hindering the flow of life force energy, reflected in our low energy, sore neck and shoulders, tight muscles, as the tension of the mind unconsciously controls the body.

The system of yoga is an inner discipline of self transformation, self knowledge and awareness of the Absolute. It turns the attention inward merging with the soul energy awareness, and realization of all aspects of the universal Prakti “matter” and Purusha “spirit”. Yoga leads a journey of Kaivalya “freedom” from karma of cause and effect.

Summaries of the more common types of yogic practices in the west

There are numerous practices of Yoga. In the west, the mainstream media displays a limited view and a very narrow margin of what yoga is, mainly focusing on the act of Asana’s only. The mainstream view point by those unaware of the actual practice of yogic practice largely interpret yoga as a form of exercise for physical health in the form of strength, endurance and stretching with an overall result of well being after a session. Below is some insight into the diversity of yoga practices.

Kundalini Yoga: The dormant pranic life force at the base of the spine which can be awakened through practice. Focus is mainly on the psychic centres of the body through the sushumna (psychic channel) from root to crown. The three main channels running along the spine are ida, pingala and the sushumna.

Hatha Yoga: Balancing of positive and negative energy forces in the body through focus on physical form, asanas and breathing. Ha (hakaram) means sun and Tha (thakaram) means moon, pointing ones macrocosmic and microcosmic nature. Sun salutations are the common starting point of this yogic practice. Often perceived as preparation for higher experience. Hatha is a form of Raja yoga. Hatha yoga has offshoots including Bikram and Iyengar.

Bhakti Yoga: Devotional yoga, immersing ones self in the emotional heart and loving devotional pathway to Divinity. From the Sanskrit root bhaj meaning “attachment to The Divine.” Bhakti is unselfish, pure, sacred Divine Love which focuses on the single minded attention to the growth of supreme love for Divinity with the acceptance of attainment of Divine Grace.

Ashtanga Yoga: Often referred to as eight-limb yoga, is an active, vigorous form of flowing movements also known as power yoga. Focusing much on physicality a manifestation of Raja, asanas and pranayama are practiced with strength, flexibility and agility being primary components. Internal heat causes sweating, detoxification and increased circulation, results in a clearer, purified body and mind.

Pranayama Yoga: Control of breathing – Prana (life force), Yama (control) is usually combined with asana’s but is also practiced alone through a system of various breathing techniques. It is the fourth limb of the eight-limbs of Raja yoga. It is used to clear the body and mind, prepare for meditation, focus, and enhance the life force and vitality of the body.

Tantra Yoga: Connection with Absolute through channeling the force of creative energy. Cosmic energy in Tantra relates to awakening the spiritual self as in raising Kundalini energy. The focus is on balancing and harmonizing the male and female energetic aspects within to attain spiritual awakening.

Mantra Yoga: Ritual repetition of words and sounds during meditation, allows for single pointed thinking to attain Samadhi. Mantras – from the Sanskrit “mantrana” means advice or suggestion. The mantras are vibrations to awaken the inner forces used to focus the mind from distractions, heal the body, alter the states of consciousness, and bring one closer with The Divine. Mala beads are often used to keep track of the repetitions.

Yantra Yoga: Meditations on the drawings of symbolism, often intricate, divinely inspired images with much meaning and revelation representing aspects of the Divine. A yantra is used as a focal point for concentration and attainment of higher consciousness through geometric patterns that allow one to tune into the higher realities of the universe.

Purna Yoga / Integral Yoga: Sometimes called supramental yoga, it works towards surrender to higher consciousness through transformation of the entire being in relation to inner and outer self. Integral Yoga combines yogic practices of Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma (actions of cause and effect), Jnana (attainment through study and knowledge of scripture), and Japa (repetitive mantra meditation practices).

Bikram Yoga: Composed of two breathing (pranayama) techniques and twenty-six poses in a hot, humid room. The heat encourages detoxification of the body in a 100-105 degree atmosphere. Developed by Bikram Choudhury as a form of hatha yoga.

Kriya Yoga: Is meditative pranayama energy yoga that revolves around cosmology, with spinal energy centers relating to the zodiac designed to quickly develop ones spiritual evolution.

Kripalu: Is a flowing yoga working with prana and is a form of kundalini yoga in working with the life force energy. In practice, spontaneous movement through poses is in the act of being connected with and feeling awareness of the energy with freedom.

8 disciplines (limbs) of yoga

1. Yama – ethics, non violence, truthfulness, non stealing, social restraints

2. Niyama – self conduct, study of self, surrender, purity, tolerance

3. Asana – postures, physical exercises

4, Pranayama – Breath Control, regulation

5. Pratyahara – withdrawal and control of the senses

6. Dharana – concentration

7. Dhyana – meditation

8. Samadhi – higher consciousness

More Related

Meditation. Being present and letting go

Symbolic Living — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:12:20 +0000

Practicing Meditation for Peacefulness

There are many different styles of meditation. The following is a good foundation for general practice. It is a basic meditation for self awareness and being present.

Meditation is a practice because it takes a few sessions to get the rambling thoughts in our mind to calm down as we progress.

Starting to meditate is easy when you make time for it. To meditate only requires a few moments of your time. Only 5 to 10 minutes are needed to begin practicing.

Don’t have time for 5 to 10 minutes? Choosing to find time is possible with intention.

Getting Started

Set aside a time to practice and clear away a space for you to sit calmly without distractions. Turn off the television, turned down the telephone, turn off the stereo.

Start by sitting on a comfortable cushion, a pillow, or whatever you have nearby to create a comfortable sitting arrangement. It is recommended not to lie down, as you may drift off to sleep. Sitting upright provides you with the need to be attentive.

You may want to place a mat or blanket below you as well to provide comfort for your legs.

In the seated position you may cross your legs for a standard posture. Imagine a string from the base of your spine out the top of your head is pulling you in an upright posture to prevent slouching. However, do not force the position. Do not be militant about your posture, feel supported and comfortable, allowing your shoulders to rest.

Rest your palms face down on your thighs, not your knees, so your arms are comfortably at your side.

Pick a spot about 5 or 6 feet in front of you on the floor, so your eyes gaze slightly opened in a downward direction while keeping your head straight ahead. Do not get fixated on a spot, as this is forceful and requires the mind. Be gentle with yourself. Allow your eyes to gaze seeing the whole space, being fully present.

Keep your mouth open slightly so that your teeth are not clenched. Allow suppleness in the face. Feel relaxed.

You may breathe naturally through your nose or mouth or both, whichever comes most naturally to you. Do not force the breath, just let it flow.

Notice your physical body and surroundings. Bring your attention through your body from your feet, up your legs, into your abdomen, into your arms, face, head, be present with your whole body. Take it slow without rushing. Now that you’re focused on how you feel in your body, let it go, just be.

Sit here for a few moments focusing on your breathing, with focus on the outward breath with each natural cycle.

When you notice your mind thinking on various subjects, return to the breath. Saying something like “let it go” when you catch your mind chattering can be helpful to break the cycle of thoughts and return back to the breath. Of course, “let it go” are words and thus thinking, but it is a good step to focus your thinking rather than have it wander off into a lot of random subjects. You may need to say it a lot, like a mantra, if you notice your mind wandering frequently. Choose something that is a positive mantra for you to stay focused and attentive to the moment.

Do this for a few minutes, gently without judgment. Do not put labels on any of the experiences you are having or the thoughts you are having. Be at peace with them and let them pass like clouds, dissolving away whenever you realize you are getting caught up in them. Do not worry, do not try to be perfect, enjoy the process and be easy on yourself. Feel yourself at peace, content, aware, and loving who you are, right now in this moment.

Important points of beginning practice and awareness.

The Word Meditation actually meant ‘frequent’ in latin. This points to the importance of practice. Regular, frequent meditation is an important part of the process of letting go and gives you more opportunities to treat yourself to “You Time“. Detaching ourselves from thoughts does take time because our minds are so used to being absorbed into our thoughts unconsciously, suddenly realizing we have wandered off once again with our thoughts leading the way.

There is no goal in meditation, having expectations is only a distraction. You should have no preconceived notions of your meditation experience. Remember meditating is about letting go, and that letting go also means letting go of your ideas of what should and should not happen. Just simply be who you are in the moment, chattering thoughts and all without judgment. If that’s who you are right now, accept it, experience it, become aware of it.

When we be kind to ourselves and allow ourselves to observe the moment that is enough. Do not wish for a mystical experience. Do not ‘try’ to experience something profound. This is precisely what your chattering, desiring mind would want. Remember to let all that go. The real magic is living right now.

Meditation teaches us to enjoy the journey rather than living for the future goal or expectation. When beginning the journey of meditation you may feel that meditating is actually making your mind wander and chatter more than it does regularly. However, it really isn’t, you are really just becoming aware of how much your mind actually does race. You’re not alone, it happens to all of us. Observe this rather than labeling it. In these early stages of meditative practice you may notice you can not help from following these thoughts with much frustration. This shows us how little control we have over our mind including our thoughts and emotions when we are living without self discipline. When thoughts are out of control it may also be a reflection of how our lives may be out of control.

Stumbling through the clouds. Breathing in the mist.

When you stumble, pick yourself back up gently and lovingly. Don’t replay in your mind what you’ve done, that you’ve got lost in thoughts. ‘Success‘ occurs when you let go of the desire for success. You’ll notice you’ll have moments of emptiness, and likely many more moments of chattering. It’s ok. It’s all part of the process towards self awareness.

When the thoughts wander just observe them as clouds passing by, without getting attached to them. Thoughts really can be as unpredictable as weather patterns. Meteorologists can study the weather for years with sophisticated equipment and computer analysis, and still not know what’s happening outside their own window until it’s happening before their eyes.

The best way to come back to the silence is through the breath. The breath represents our connection to our bodies, the outer world and the life force that runs through us. Our breath is both under unconscious and conscious control just as our thoughts are. By working with the breath we realize our ability to be conscious of our interaction with the external world rather than being directed mindlessly. Focusing the mind on each breath offers a connection to the moment. Feel the breath, be present with it.

Take time for yourself whenever you have an opportunity.

It’s a busy world out there, and a busy world in our minds.

By meditating frequently, every day if you can, you will likely notice it becoming an essential part of feeling connected and grounded. When you connect with this deeper, inner self you will eventually awaken to seeing the external world in a different light and your connection to others will be brighter because you are becoming lighter within.

What could be more important than taking time for your self? Letting go of stress and connecting with your true self, the inner witness, is necessary for a more peaceful inner and outer world. Everyone in your life will benefit from you getting to know yourself better. When you become more of who you are, you have more of yourself to offer.

“We could say that meditation doesn’t have a reason or doesn’t have a purpose. In this respect it’s unlike almost all other things we do except perhaps making music and dancing. When we make music we don’t do it in order to reach a certain point, such as the end of the composition. If that were the purpose of music then obviously the fastest players would be the best. Also, when we are dancing we are not aiming to arrive at a particular place on the floor as in a journey. When we dance, the journey itself is the point, as when we play music the playing itself is the point. And exactly the same thing is true in meditation. Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.”- Alan Watts

This article has been inspired by my own personal experiences and from years of interest in the subject. One notable author that I greatly enjoy is Eckhart Tolle. I recommend his book “The Power of Now” for anyone interested in reading more on getting in the moment and living in the present.

More Related

Meditation. Peace of Emptiness

Symbolic Living — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:58:01 +0000

Finding stillness can be an infrequent experience for many people in today’s society. Every day, and nearly every moment, we are bombarded by external distractions that keep us from experiencing authentic peacefulness.

Our society reflects the activity of the human mind on a massive scale, infusing our world with a constant stream of thoughts, ideas, labels, sounds, needs, obligations, desires, wants, all continuous streams of activity leaving little space for peace. The constant distractions our society presents us with, reflects a fear of knowing ourselves on a deeper level.

For many, our minds are full, wandering uncontrollably from one subject to the next. This is called the “Chattering Mind” which we are all familiar with having prevented us from easily falling asleep from time to time, some more frequently than others. When the mind is automatically traveling from one topic to the next, we are lost, we are not fully present in our world, we are caught up in the mind uncontrollably. Although we don’t know for sure as new information unfolds, Michael Jackson was said to need strong medications to “stop the constant beat in his head” so he could sleep.

Meditation is about finding peace and developing insight and awareness into how your mind works through observing the thinking process. It is a practical, hands on approach to being present, free from the noise of the every day hustle and bustle, and free from our own internal monologues. We then begin to acknowledge our thoughts, feelings and emotions so we don’t allow them to run our lives. Meditation gives us a space in time to let go and just be.

Meditation teaches us to be peacefully aware. It teaches us to be in the experience of living and loving the now, loving who we are, honoring ourselves and our time we make for ourselves. When we make time for ourselves, we change the way we live our lives and how we interact with other people and situations. For self awareness and personal growth, meditation is one of the key ingredients to transforming yourself into a more peaceful being. It gives us an opportunity to realize how our patterns of thinking, and our patterns of emotions float through our lives causing chaos inside and out. With this realization we can move away from allowing random subjects to disturb a peaceful world. Meditation is about self realization and self transformation. Many people are afraid to really get to know who they are, but once they let go of that thought, and open the doors of awareness, a new self emerges slowly, like a flower in bloom.

You may benefit from meditation if you:

are disconnected from your body and live in your mind too much
are preoccupied about the future or past elevating stress, worry, anxiety
feel there is not enough time and have a short attention span
have difficulty focusing when reading, listening, cooking, etc.
are self conscious, uncomfortable being in the presence of other people
are overworked, not giving your body and mind the attention they need
want to feel more at peace and more balanced in your everyday lives
have difficulty sleeping due to mind chatter
are self centered, gossip, judgmental of others, see yourself divided from others
are depressed, unmotivated, lacking inspiration and energy
are consumed by television, external stimuli, with little time for solitude

Meditation is about Being Present. Connecting the Mind and Body

Taste the coffee. Instead of rushing through it to get to the meeting, really experience the fullness of your coffee. When you taste the coffee for what it is, bring all your senses to the experience. Your meeting will be a different experience because you are different.

When we start to really live in the moment, living now, uniting the body and the mind, a shift changes within us that comes from the core of who we are. We begin feeling more centered because we are becoming more centered. The energy of life begins feeling more stable, gentler, and flows more naturally within.

Only 10 minutes of being in a space of internal awareness will change who we are with ourselves and that will be reflected with our relationships. How we we interact with others will start to transform. How we see the world will take on new meaning.

Experiencing Peace.

Peace is unconditional. There are no thoughts attached to peace because the moment you attach a need or desire to peace, it is lost. Peace can not be described, it can not be labeled by the mind, it can only be experienced. Peace is an experience independent of thoughts. It is a state of awareness that comes from within, changing your experience of the world. If you are meditating because you are looking for something out there to change, let that go, because the real change in the world starts from within.

Emptiness or Abundance?

In the West, the Eastern approach to emptiness being a positive experience is often judged as a false view, even wrong. However, judgment is precisely the point. The conditioned mind attaches judgmental labels to things which creates a barrier for true, authentic peacefulness. Our society conditions us from an early age to be the critic of others and ourselves, and is the root cause of pushing peace away from our lives and the lives of others.

Emptiness clears the mind of all the critiques, leaving space for the joyful experience of just being who you really are without any conditions. This nurtures a peaceful approach to living. Emptiness is a way of letting go of the distracting, and often negative thoughts that can plague our minds. Letting go makes space for living in true abundance in being present, in really being here and now with yourself, with others and with your environment. It gives you the opportunity to see the world in a new light when you release the weight of judgment. In the West we always want to fill our worlds with more of anything and everything and have difficulty seeing the value in the space emptiness allows. As an easily recognized comparison, compare the home environment of a hoarder to a minimalist approach to living. Or, compare the energy of a busy downtown intersection during rush-hour to a cottage escape by the lake. It’s not difficult to see how emptiness has more to offer in many ways.

In emptiness, what you are really doing is allowing spaciousness within. This spaciousness is expansive, open, abundant, and through it love is present.

Abundance can never come from wanting.. Living abundantly comes from the source of our being, which can be found when we empty ourselves of all ideas of needs and wants of the future and regrets of the past. The future leaves us wanting more, but abundance is found in the now. In emptiness we are not concerned with fears, expectations, regrets, problems, anger, nor anything at all. In emptiness we are allowing ourselves to be aware, receptive, giving.

Emptiness can have very different meanings and can be approached from different angles. Emptiness that is born from the ego, causes us to never feel fulfilled so we try to fill up our lives, chase after desires, each one following the next, never fully satisfied. When people feel like they are lacking in being whole, they often focus on trying to fill their lives with more and more “wants”. These wants are so temporary they leave one wanting even more.

Then there is a much different kind of emptiness, the emptiness of letting go and experiencing joyful peace and understanding the truth of emptiness’ abundance, knowing the truth of who you are as a loving, fulfilled, abundant being. This is authentic abundance, which temporary external gratifications will never fill. Abundance comes from the transformational experience of emptiness realized as wholeness. It is an internal alchemy of realization. When your consciousness realizes all is whole, all is holy, and there is abundance right here, right now, you realize the truth of authentic emptiness.

Please visit my other article on Meditation which discusses the practice of meditating.