Innate Wholeness

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Mutual Gratitude

I want to tell you that the session was amazing! I found myself remembering the birth of my first son, who died shortly afterward, and shining the light of forgiveness energy on everyone in the room. I had a good, cleansing cry. Since then, I’ve felt better, as if something that had been tight had loosened considerably. — Mother

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Why Meditate?

Relaxation & Meditation… a Doorway

In high school, I enjoyed a class titled Individual Fitness. It was different from most physical fitness classes because each student was able to pace him or herself and improve upon individual ability, rather than compete against each other.

Towards the end of the term, our instructor taught us the value of simple meditation. Except she did not call it meditation. It was called relaxation. Whatever the label, it was essentially a situation where we rested our bodies lying down, closed our eyes, brought our attention to our breath, and focused on intentionally relaxing each part of our body. During this exercise, my thoughts were naturally quieted as I focused on melting stress away in my body. As a person whose mind was often in overdrive, it felt Heavenly. I spent many an evening before bed trying to capture the relaxed state I had been led to in class.

Years later I was introduced to the idea of meditation. One in the same with relaxation, except for a focus on awareness and simple noticing of thoughts. I gave it a try and liked it again. The techniques are so similar to the relaxation I enjoyed as a teen, I often chuckle that some people think meditation is a weird, transcendental experience. The only thing one needs to transcend about meditation is the idea that it is weird. In truth, meditation and relaxation are one in the same.

As I have increased my meditation habit, I have also increased my personal sense of peace and well being. Along with coming to some very important understandings within myself, meditation has greatly assisted me in knowing my true self more clearly. My old inner critic no longer takes up space in my head and I can enjoy everyday activities with a simple observational nature, rather than a running commentary. The peace I am able to live from day to day is an amazing difference from the stress level I used to live with, feeling that it was relatively normal.

Consider challenging yourself to bring meditation into your life and see if the benefits meet the challenge.  :)