Posts Tagged ‘Flow’
Why Meditate?
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
What’s the point? I am often asked this question after people have tried to meditate. Many people say that they can’t meditate. There is the misconception that meditation is about shutting down or shutting off the mind. In fact, it is the opposite. The whole point of meditation is to allow the mind to feel free. The best meditations happen when we can acknowledge our thoughts flowing through us without judgment. And like anything we want to cultivate, meditation is a practice.
Meditation is about cultivating the mind. The very word “meditation” in Sanskrit means “to cultivate.” In Tibetan, the word meditation translates into gom, which means, “to become familiar with.” Meditation is about becoming familiar with ourselves over and over again. It allows us to cultivate the chatter and draw out what we have kept stuffed inside.
Cultivating our mind is essential if we want to develop our emotional well-being, create inner peace, and our service to others. The more we attempt to block thoughts during meditation, the louder they will be. The whole purpose of meditation is to show us what we need—to allow our thoughts to arise and dissolve into mindfulness. This might mean allowing ourselves to set a course that is most desirable for our experiencing peace.
Imagine the benefit of giving ourselves a new experience of the world with each passing breath. All it takes to start is ten to twenty minutes daily to get to know our mind.
Why do you meditate?
Mary Anne
Jump the Waves
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
I took a couple of days off to go see a concert and hang out by the ocean. There’s nothing like being near the ocean to remind me of how powerful and healing water can be. I felt like a little kid again jumping the waves. I would inch out and swim a little farther into the ocean and feel the water at my back. Depending on the current, I would swim back towards shore, swim under some big waves, or get swept up by the waves. There was an enormous rush each time the waves knocked me off my feet.
I began to notice that each time I went with the flow of the current the easier it was. And every time I hesitated or resisted the waves, the harder they would knock me down. Through it all, I did not struggle with the waves. I simply allowed my body to go with the flow and the rest followed. With resistance, my body toppled all around. Without resistance, my body swayed. I found that I could naturally jump the waves and float in the water.
What are some of the other waves in my life I can naturally jump with ease? Where else does my body go with the flow as a natural state?
Today, I am choosing to allow all of me to go with the flow and the rest will follow.
Mary Anne
There Is Nothing To Undo
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
I apparently hit a button on my iPhone more than once, and my screen read, “There is nothing to undo.” I stared at my phone for a minute, first, because I had no idea what buttons I pushed and second, because my phone was giving me my lesson for the day. “There is nothing to undo.” Such relief swept through me as I thought about releasing the thought that I had to undo anything.
There are so many times I want to ‘undo’ words, actions, and feelings of fear, doubt, and worry. Rather than undo them, I can accept them as they flow through me with no attachment. They just are thoughts and feelings flowing. This can be especially difficult when I am in the process of forgiving someone. I want another person to undo their words and actions. As Louise Hay says, “The act of forgiveness takes place in our own mind. It really has nothing to do with the other person. The reality of true forgiveness lies in setting ourselves free from holding on to the pain.” She goes on to say we are perfect just the way we are and that we can give ourselves some tenderness.
My best friend reminded of this last week in her email to me. She wrote, “I love you and you are perfect exactly as you are.” In other words, there is nothing to undo. Nice to know my iPhone and friends think the same way – now I have to remember that the next time I am in my head about letting things go or forgiving someone.
There really is nothing to undo.
Mary Anne
Love Is…
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
“Love what is in front of you.” Byron Katie
In an effort to get a sense of how people think about “love”, I asked folks to finish the statement: ‘Love Is’. Here are some responses.
Love Is…
“All of it in this very moment”
“Available & accessible”
“Opening my heart and accepting what is”
“Constant”
“Home grown”
“Saints winning the Superbowl”
“Right where you are if you come from it”
“The pulse of life”
“Comforting—mentally, physically and spirituality”
“Knowing your child is safe and well by the sounds of his laughter”
My sister reminded me about my favorite reading from church that I have read aloud from the pulpit since the third grade. The last time I read it aloud was at my mother’s funeral and to this day it is still my favorite quote from the Bible about love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13
To experience this even deeper I offer a Love Meditation: ‘And the greatest of these is Love’. I invite you to take a breath in and out through your nose, slow and soft, at least three times. Think about someone you love— a spouse/partner, your child, a friend, a parent— and visualize them with you. Close your eyes. Open your hands on your lap. Really sense the expansive love you have for that person. Feel all of it. Notice where in your body love is flowing. Is there an area you want to bring love—bring your hands there and allow love to come in. Stay still for a few moments and if your mind wanders, breathe in the words, “I am love” and breathe out the words, “I give love.” To release the meditation, bring your hands to your heart, smile, and bow. Open your eyes, and finish the statement, ‘Love Is’…
Expansive love to all,
Mary Anne