In almost all challenges in life we
are our own worst enemy. I blame the human brain. The over analytical, judgmental, critical, incessant, chatter box brain. We often tell ourselves;
we can't, we should, we'll fail if we try, we aren't good enough, we have to
settle, what if this or that happens, this is how "it's supposed" to
be, life is hard, nothing comes easy, life isn't about just being
happy...
Some of these thoughts and ideas come from our own experiences and others have
seeped in from cultural dogmas about life or perhaps from friends and family.
Some of these thought patterns feel like our own because we've been thinking
about them and they've been rolling around in our heads for so long that we
take them on as such. When we have certain repetitive thoughts about life,
ourselves and others, after awhile they start to feel true, even if in reality
they're not. When we can distinguish where the thought came from to begin
with we can then decide if it is actually even our personal truth.. Just
because you heard something on the radio or a friend told you that you are a
certain way, doesn't mean that either source is right. This is one of the
beautiful things about life. There is no black and white about anything. We may
claim that there is an absolute truth to all things. But it just isn't so.
Truth is individual. What is true for one person, will not be so for another.
We can see this example especially in religion and politics. The only ugly
thing about so many truths is the need that some people have to force their
"truths" on others as an absolute. But, that being said, this last
statement, and actually my whole blog is just my truth. So, if my
truth doesn't resonate with you, then great! Just let it go:) And if it does,
well then, its lovely to be on the same page as you:).
Thoughts aren't all "bad" or "negative". Uplifting,
love-filled, affirming thoughts are amazing things to have floating around in
our brains. If every person had nothing but positive, joyful, wonderous
thoughts about themselves, others and the life they lead, then what an amazing
place this world would be! I am a strong believer in the ability to manifest
things in our life. I believe that thought is the key to succeeding in this.
The trick though, is in controlling our thoughts. The Universe/God/Great Spirit
is always listening, tuning into our thoughts and feelings. And like attracts
like according to the Universe. The more we think about things we want in
our lives, things we appreciate about ourselves and others, then the more of
those things the Universe will send our way. And vice versa. The more negative
thoughts, complaints, or worries we have, the more we focus on what we
don't want, the more of those same things will be sent our way. Believe me I've
seen it in action, unfortunately on the not so positive side... Being mindful
of what we send out into the ether and what we give our energy to is so vital
to our lives and well being.
Have you ever noticed that you can be in a perfectly good mood, loving your
life and then all of a sudden you get a phone call from a friend that is having
a bad day, who needs to vent and then your mood changes? You find that the more
they talk about how everything is rotten, the more you start to have things to
"vent" and complain about too? Then you both go back and forth with
your stories about how everything blows? Well, thoughts are contagious you see.
And that is the perfect example of this "fact". This is the reason
why it is so important that we begin to take control of our thoughts. Thoughts
are powerful things! If all thoughts are contagious than wouldn't it be more
pleasant to have happy thoughts? To do our best to catch ourselves when we are
having a moment of "woe is me" and begin to shift our minds to
something that brings us joy instead?
The power of positive attitude (aka positive thoughts) has been studied for
many years especially when it comes to disease, fighting cancer and physical
wellness. Thoughts have actually been shown to change brain chemistry and
neuron production. The cells in our bodies hold and remember our emotions and
thoughts. This makes it even more important to notice and be aware of what kind
of repetitive thoughts we are allowing ourselves to have, and therefore store
in our bodies on a regular basis. In fact, when our cells get used of having
certain thought energy held within them, it is easier/addicting for our
bodies, so it attracts more and more of that same emotion or energy in our
lives and ourselves.Hey, don't get me wrong, we all need a good venting and
pity party once in awhile to process and release the experiences we don't want
in our lives, but some of us (me included!!) can get a little carried
away and wallow in it a bit too long. If we are spending all of our brain power
focusing and talking about all that's wrong in our lives, we won't have much
time or space for focusing our energy toward the things that we do enjoy
and the things we do want in our lives.
Now here I am going on about thoughts when what I really wanted to talk about
is getting OUT of the mind and further away from thought at least for a little
bit...
When I wake up first thing in the morning (that is if I haven't had any crazy
dreams) and I mean when I first, first wake up. Not after hitting the snooze
button ten times, but upon my eyes first opening, I notice this calm presence.
A peace, quiet and calmness that happens when my brain hasn't really kicked in
yet. These moments may be only a minute long, maybe even thirty seconds, but
they are blissful for me. I crave more of these moments throughout my day but
they're more difficult to find.
When I was seeing an Ayurvedic practitioner, he told me the best times to
meditate and to quiet the mind were first thing in the morning- for the very
reason of the conscious brain not being as active yet, and after getting home
from work, to help wind down from our day. I remember doing just that for
several months and feeling its benefits, and then eventually falling off the
"meditation" wagon again. But meditation really is a phenomenally effective
way to turn off the brain, or at least create some space in it. I hear people
saying that meditation just isn't for them, or "Isn't it just
breathing?" or "I just can't keep my brain quiet" or, "I
just fall asleep". What people don't know is that meditation can be many
things. It doesn't have to be sitting on the floor with your legs crossed and
eyes closed chanting "OM". Although, that is a wonderful form of
meditation. Meditation is presence, it's consciousness and it's bringing
awareness back into our lives. It is about keeping us in the present moment,
right here, right now. When we are present, fully present in the now, we can't
think about the past, or the future, because we are focusing on the present.
This alone helps to quite the brain. One of my fabulous yogi and teacher and
friends Julia had told me a story once in a yoga class I was attending. The
story came from the Baghavad Ghita. It was a story about a man and his
elephant and how when he took his elephant into town and through the marketplace
to shop, the elephant would just go crazy, swinging his trunk here and there,
stealing fruit and tea, picking up items and knocking over others- it was a
disaster. So, the man decided that he needed to give the elephant something to
do with his trunk to keep it from causing a ruckus in the marketplace. The next
time he and the elephant went to the market, the man gave his elephant a stick
to carry in his trunk. The elephant walked all the way through the marketplace
with the stick in his trunk and with no problem at all. All the elephant needed
was something to focus his trunk on. Julia told us this story to remind us that
our minds are just like the elephant's trunk. If we give our brains a focal
point, something to hold on to, it will be less likely to go on hopping
from one thought to the next, willy nilly all over the place.
When you go to a meditation workshop or class instructors tend to start with
that focal point being our breath. And it is a great place to start for most
people- but everything can be a meditation. When I studied abroad at a
monastery the entire day was a meditation. We would wake up at 5:30 and
congregate together for 30 minutes of sitting meditation, where we would just
breathe. From there we would have a breakfast meditation where everyone sits in
silence and focuses on their meals eating each bite of food with intention. We
chewed every morsel of food until it was completely mashed up and then
swallowed before even thinking about our next bite- or that was what we were supposed
to be doing:) Each meal was like this. Then we would go off for working
meditation where each person had a chore to do with mindfulness- presence.
Throughout the day bells would ring and when we heard them we were to stop what
we were doing, take 3 conscious inhales and exhales, and then we could go on
doing what ever task we were doing before they rang. It must have been quite a
sight to someone who was passing by seeing an entire monastery stop and stand
completely still for a good 15 seconds before moving again. Being at the
monastery was definitely a challenge at times but it really showed me and
deepened my understanding that meditation is just about strengthening our
consciousness and awareness in every single moment of life.
Have you ever gotten in your car to go to work, started driving, had a day
dream and realized you were nearly at the office already, stunned because your
weren't even paying attention to the ride having driven this route so many
times in the past? This is a perfect example of lack of consciousness. We do it
all the time. Why? Because the brain takes over and the thoughts won't stop.
Meditation has been studied more and more closely by science for disease
prevention, mood enhancement, stress prevention, immunity just to name a few
and the results have been astounding. Meditation creates the space in our
brains that we need for peace, joy, new ideas, dreams and rejuvenation on all
levels. Why not give it a whirl??
Like I said meditation is presence, consciousness. It can be anything you want
it to be really. I'd like to share with you some of my favorite
"meditation/mind quieting"techniques. Maybe you will feel drawn to
them and maybe you won't but I hope you will at least try it out for yourself,
whatever that means to you- that is if you don't already!
1.Journaling
This can be a great way to purge that brain! Get it all out! I like to have two
journals. The "happy" one where I can go on and on about all that is
wonderful in my life. And the "yucky" one where I rant and rave and vent
and complain. Just taking 5 minutes out of your day to do this can be a
wonderful habit. It can give you the space you need to look at your life
experiences a little bit more from and outside perspective too- which is always
great for trouble shooting!
Each month I like to rip all of the pages I've filled from my "yucky"
journal. Then I use a fire safe container and burn the pages with some sage
leaf or lavender outside my window on the full moon to be purged of all that
the pages contain. This little ritual can also be used for manifesting
things in your life, not just purging. So if you have a journal of hopes and
dreams, and things you want to manifest in your life, you could burn
these pages at the new moon to send them out into the Universe to invite them
in to your world, your life. Purging or manifesting- it all depends on your
intention:)
2. When I remember, I like to practice cooking meditation. This is simply to be
present and mindful as you are preparing your meal. You can say a prayer while
cooking, send your loving energy into the food, thank the food for being your
sustenance..whatever speaks to you and whatever keeps you present in the
cooking moment!
3. Three part breath
I like to do this as I am falling asleep and I also find it's helpful for
insomniacs. This 3 part breathing which comes from Ayruveda/yoga
traditions. You get all cozy in your bed and begin to breathe-fully. Let your
belly, ribs/lungs and then breastbone/chest expand fully upon inhalation. Pause
for a moment and then exhale fully pressing the air out of your chest, lungs
and ribs, and finally lower belly - and pause there. Repeat, really following
the breath, feeling it move into each part of your body as you intentionally
take these full inhales and complete exhales. Some people also like to imagine
that a white or golden light is filling their entire body up with each breath
they take. So another good inner mind visual or focus is to imagine that light
filling you up, starting at your toes and with each breath filling you more and
more until this light is shooting out the top of your head back up to the
heavens creating a circuit of sorts. Your mind may try to take over, but when
thoughts arise in your mind, don't fight them just let them come and go and
just remember to bring your intention back to the breath, back to the
visualization.
4. Chanting or mantra
This has been helpful for me lately when it comes to meditating. Having a sound
to focus on as well as the breath keeps me even more present. I like to use OM
which is the sacred sound of the Universe that empowers all things. I also like
to go down the 7 basic sacred chakra sounds as well, to help me not only quiet
the mind, but also help to align my energy and strengthen my aura.
They are as follows: 7th or crown: OM, 6th or third eye: SHAM, 5th or throat:
HUM, 4th or heart: YUM, 3rd or solar plexus: RAM, 2nd or sacral: VAM 1st or
root: LAM.
Although there may be other variations, these are the ones I follow, you may
find your own:)
Mala, or prayer beads work lovely with the chanting as well. You can feel
each bead as you chant or say affirmations or prayer. The feeling of each bead
as it slides through your fingers is a great reminder to stay present.
4. Alternating Nostril Breath
Another Ayurvedic/Yogic practice is alternating nostril breathing. Rather than
trying to explain it, I have posted a video for you. Not only does this breath
calm the mind and body, it helps to balance the right and left hemispheres of
the brain. Did you know that we only breathe out of one nostril at a time
during the day? Every 30-40 minutes or so it the other nostril takes over.
5. The anyplace, anytime meditation
This is simply whenever you notice
you are breathing. Or maybe you notice you aren't breathing. A lot of us
actually hold our breath or breathe shallowly when we are upset. It could
be when you are frustrated with something, stuck in traffic, annoyed in the
grocery line. Any time you have awareness of breath- breathe.
Consciously breathe. It is amazing how quickly it will calm you down and shift
your mood. And make sure they are deep, full and intentional breaths. The
deeper we breathe, the more healing the breath.
These are all just suggestions of
course for you to try out if you feel so inclined. Some people find guided
meditation cd's or music helps them to practice. Some use incense or burn sage
or candles to create a ritual or routine around it. Aromatherapy can be used as
well. Choosing anointing oils to apply to yourself or spray in your
surroundings not only creates a sacred space for meditation, but also signals
your brain, that when it smells these certain scents, it is time to quiet down.
Just find what works, and feels best for you. There is no wrong way to
meditate, so do what you like:)
This little rant of mine is really
just to invite you to think about thoughts, the mind, our brains, our spirit,
our world and one another and their inevitable connection. The more presence
and consciousness about our thoughts, ourselves, our happiness or lack there
of, gives us the power of change. It gives us that awareness to choose our own
thoughts, our own world, and dream our own dreams. I know that the more of us
that stay mindful of this, the better. <3Amanda
Here are some links, books and
videos that may be of some interest to you...
Books:
Abraham-Hicks: The Law of Attraction, Ask and it is Given
Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth
Peace is Every Step: Thich Nhat Hanh
Carolyn Myss: Anatomy of the Spirit
Louise Hay: Heal Yourself
Articles:
You Can Heal Your Life
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