Resting in the Here and Now
A gentle reminder, "allow your life to rest in the Here and Now". All of the future planning, the perceived "successes" or "failures" of the past actually do not exist in the Now. Everyday we have this habit of struggling away from the present moment, of staying busy, avoiding the sound of silence, or constantly stimulating our eyes and ears with electronic entertainment. Something inside us is stirring but we don't always quite know what it is. We have a longing all of our lives.. a longing to connect with others, this is why romance is so appealing, why friendships are so enjoyable, why the playful love of a furry friend brightens our day. This beautiful connection of everything is taking place, not in old photographs or future plans, but only Here and Now.
When you move into love with yourself and others right here and now, it becomes about opening your heart to all possibilities, about relaxing into presence and truly loving where you are in life, this particular point in your Infinite Path. In the simple tasks of life, in the enjoyment of food and good company, in finding love, in making love, in chores and errands, in the passionate work that must be done, in suffering, in sadness, in the heaviness of sleep, it is all there, the beauty of life, the flow of life. It is never the destination that fuels your existence, but the Path itself.
A beautiful exercise is to effortlessly notice your thoughts, emotions, actions, and habits through out the day. This Mindfulness exercise of just simply observing yourself has a profound effect of bringing transformation to your life. . Sit quietly for a few minutes and just notice what thoughts come up.
Thoughts and intentions create the very framework of what will manifest in your life and of who you will attract in your life. Be patient, and allow an open time frame to your goal of peace. Nature moves at it's own pace and rhythm, yet all is accomplished
In addition, meditation is a wonderful way to help the nervous system relax and purge itself from built up stress, tension, and stored traumas. It is a helpful tool in building calm and peace in the body-mind-spirit matrix. It complements any spiritual practice, religious belief, or philosophical system, as it is aimed at balancing the psycho-physiological processes of the Self.
For those without a current meditation practice, Here's a short daily routine that I would encourage you to try on a daily basis:
The So Hum meditation is a simple but powerful technique that uses the breath and the repetition of a mantra ( a word or sound repeated) to quiet the mind and relax the body. This meditation will help you move beyond your mind’s busy chatter to the peace of present moment awareness.
Choose a place where you won’t be disturbed. Sit upright in a chair or on the floor, using blankets and pillows to make yourself as comfortable as possible.
Close your eyes and for a few minutes and take a few moments to observe the inflow and outflow of your breath.
Now take a slow, deep breath through your nose, while thinking or silently repeating the word "So".
Then slowly exhale through your nose while silently repeating the word "Hum". Continue to allow your breath to flow easily, silently repeating So . . . Hum . . . with each inflow and outflow of the breath.
Whenever your attention drifts to thoughts in your mind, sounds in your environment, or sensations in your body, gently return to your breath, silently repeating So . . . Hum. Remember, a sense of innocence and effortlessness is key. It's alright to wander off in thoughts. This is a part of the process. Gently guide yourself back to the mantra.
Do this process for a few minutes when you’re first getting started, gradually building up to 15 minutes. Just breathe easily and effortlessly, without trying to concentrate. When the time is up, sit with your eyes gently closed for a couple minutes, taking a moment to rest in the stillness and silence. When you emerge from your meditation, you will carry a little bit of still and silence into all of your daily activities.
