January's Calling

The days are slowly growing longer.  People are getting back to life after the holidays with great intentions for better health, deeper spiritual connection, better financial control.  I personally, have recommitted myself to Stillness, to Movement, to Surrender.

This time of year always calls me inside.  I become wildly erratic when I don't take the time to rest enough, exercise enough, drink enough water, eat enough hot oats, or drink enough strong herbal infusions.  The lack of light affects me.  The dry air affects me.  And somehow, this time of year is like a jolt that makes me look evermore deeply into the darkness and admit where I am compromising my soul.  I become ill.  It's a dance.

Sitting with eyes closed, breathing slowly with awareness, relaxing into this here...I surrender what is changing for me, what remains for me, and I surrender to the great Nothing from which all arises and returns back to.  This is my meditation.  Namaste.

Meditation Musing: Noticing the Stillness

Whatever the medium is that draws you inward and to the Stillness, let it not be more important than the goal.  Stillness can be recognized at the beginning of your practice session, even before you pay attention to your breathing, think your mantra, or whatever else you may do.

If there is effort involved in noticing the Stillness here, use your technique, but curiously consider how much Stillness you notice.  Even when there are thoughts the Stillness remains and can be noticed.  Even when techniques are being used Stillness may emerge.

It is in the paying attention of it that the magic happens.  Noticing the Stillness is not meant to be a struggle or a mission.  It will likely give you a headache to treat this tip as such.  Instead, innocently watch and wonder about the quality and degree of Stillness that is present more often during your practice.  Enjoy!
 Artwork by Jing Jing Tsong.  Used with the permission of Jing Jing.  See more of her art:  www.jingandmike.com

Meditation Tip: Excuses

The most attractive thing is to tell ourselves that we are too busy to stop and do our practice. At the bus stop, on the bus, in the airport, at our desk, while the kids are napping, when we are leaving work in our car before we drive away...the moments are actually endless...just like the excuses!

It is uncomfortable to sit with ourselves when we are so busy. This is because it is not our natural state of being to be so busy. Stillness is our natural state. It isn't that the Stillness isn't there when our minds and lives are so busy, it is just that we are paying attention to the movement, or the busyness.

No matter what the excuse is, it is not valid. Period. The Stillness is there right now waiting for us to notice it. We have been paying attention to the busyness most of our lives and so it is unusual and uncomfortable to turn our attention elsewhere. Being disciplined in doing so is important. It is by exercising this "muscle" that we strengthen it, habituating a new focus and a new experience of life. So, taking my own advice and hoping you'll join me...let's just do it!