I'm Still Meditating!

I may not be on track with my 21 days of Meditation but I am still on it ...just going at a slower pace. I am a Massage Therapist and Pet Sitter and boy have I been busy! How do I find the time? Lately, not to well. I have a space and time at home but what do I do when I'm at someone else's home? It's not my home, there are usually dogs running around vying for my attention (cats too!). So, where do I find a space for me? If I can't find a space I will usually go to the bedroom, hang my trusty "Shh, I'm meditating" sign (of course the animals can't read it but it is the ritual I like), shut the door and assume the meditation pose. Most of the time the pups & kitties don't bark or meow and I can get in some much needed meditation. 

While I do get meditation in it may not be guided. It's not always possible to get online or convenient at a clients home. When I don't have the guided meditation I will reflect on a past mantra or I will just focus on my breath and connect to the Universe, chanting "Om, Om, Om" until I relax and my mind starts to quiet. I have yet to achieve a totally quiet mind and I know this may never happen so when I use the word meditate it's really more of a "meditative state" or "frame of mind." 

Sometimes it's not meant to be and I don't achieve a meditative state, I get frustrated and my mind keeps chattering away. I don't like those days, so I take a deep breath, smile and move on. I saw a great meme that describes me perfectly when I'm in this state (see below). I have to laugh at myself when this happens and often I do. 

Day 8: Restoring Balance

Today's centering thought: With awareness, I create healthy habits. There are three types of awareness; unconscious, awareness & self awareness. I would say I am more in the awareness stage. I am aware of what I am doing that is not healthy for me but I choose to ignore it. I would like to become self aware so as to make better choices for my body, whether it is for my mind, body or spirit. I have had glimpses of this self awareness and it is wonderful, now I need to take it a step further by becoming self aware of everything I do ...that is a challenge I am happy to tackle. 

One of the questions asked today was, "How would your life improve if you changed your current patterns and habits?" I know my life would improve dramatically. One example would be my eating habits, while I do eat better I still eat enough bad stuff to impede progress in my weight loss. Another would be exercise, my jobs are physical but not enough to really change my body, either in weight loss, better flexibility or strength. Lastly, is my mind & spirit ...I do not spend enough time in this area and sometimes no time at all. This meditation challenge is jump starting me to make the time. What is that saying, "it takes you 22 times of doing something to create a habit" or something like that. Well, this challenge is only 21 days but i'm pretty sure I will be creating a great habit.

The Sanskrit mantra is: "Om Kriyam Namah" meaning, my actions are aligned with cosmic law. "Om Kriyam Namah" aka The Law of Karma acknowledges that there are reactions to our actions, consequences to our choices. Although we would like to believe that there is a simple relationship between cause and effect, yogic philosophy reminds us that "unfathomable is the field of karma." Therefore, we should use the intelligence of our mind and body to make the most conscious choice available to us at every moment.

"Examine your habits today. Ask yourself, "Does this benefit my body, mind and spirit?" If you find yourself habitually engaging in activities that do not support your healthy lifestyle, begin taking steps to change those habits that do not serve you." -Deepak Chopra

"Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." -C.G. Jung

Day 7: Honoring Your Body

Today's centering thought: My body is a magnificent vehicle that connects me to spirit. Beautiful thought but I'm going to have to say this one over and over. I have some body issues and it's going to be hard to connect to the spirit so I'm glad that this session is about honoring your body. When you are overweight you see your body everyday, you can not ignore it. Some days I'm kind to myself about my body, other days I am angry but mostly I am sad. I am sad because I have not been taking care of my physical body (I am trying), I have been working more on my mental & spiritual state so in that sense I am taking care of my body and I have noticed that I have been kinder to my physical self since working on those areas. 

This is a hard session for me as I have been working on my physical self for some time now. I was not always overweight only in these later years, it's hard to see pictures of myself when I was thin, active and working out 6-8 hours a day. I was an athlete. I worked out hard and ate ...a lot. I suppose I am going off on a tangent but when you journal/blog you go where your mind takes you. 

One of the questions asked today was, "What are three positive changes you can make today to better nurture you mind, body and spirit?" For me it's daily meditation, breathing & aromatherapy, for the mind. Exercise everyday at least 10 minutes (preferably more) and keep moving, for the body. Last but not least, gratitude. Be thankful for all that I have, thank my body daily, thank the universe for all it does for me, for my spirit.

The Sanskrit mantra is: "Lam, Lam, Lam" repeating "Lam" opens the root chakra (aka Muladhara) allowing us to feel grounded. A balanced root chakra gives you a sense of security, stability and a feeling of a balanced existence.

"Because this body is the only one we have, we must treat it with great love and respect, so that it will, in turn, enable us to enjoy all the things we love. Thank your body for all it allows you to do and commit to making healthy choices that continue to nourish it." -Deepak Chopra

Day 6: The Perfection of Your Body

Today's centering thought: I am perfection. I am healthy. I am strong ...and I am happy to be back to my daily meditations. It's been almost a week since I meditated and I have to say I missed it. Today's guided meditation was amazing and one of my faves. I really needed this one. Instead of sitting upright today we laid down and focused on relaxing and thanking our bodies for all they do. Do you ever do this? I certainly can't remember thanking my body, I want to believe I have. Anyway, I loved this and want to add this to my nightly routine before I go to bed. We brush our teeth and wash our faces before bed, why not thank our bodies for all they did that day ...sounds good to me!

Focus on the centering thought; I am perfection. I am healthy. I am strong. "Anywhere you feel tension invite the sense of ease, let go of any negative self talk. Visualize your brain, silently thank it for working in concert with your body enabling it to be healthy and alive." The Sanskrit mantra for today is: "So hum" meaning "I am." As you relax further mentally repeat the mantra "So hum". Breathe deep belly breaths ...so, on the inhale and hum, on the exhale ...so hum, so hum. I really enjoyed the breathing technique that went with this mantra, it really got me to focus and shut out the outside noises and the chatter in my head. Happy meditating and don't forget to thank your body today!

"When you settle in for meditation, pay attention to how your body feels. If there are feelings of discomfort anywhere in the body , send that area messages of kindness and love." -Deepak Chopra

Got a Little Sidetracked

It's day 11 on the 21 day meditation challenge and I am only on day 6, I'm a little behind. Sometimes our lives get busy or we get unexpected challenges thrown at us that might take up more of our time or we just get lazy. All 3 happened to me; but I didn't get mad at myself for not meditating these past days instead I focused on what had to be done and I did find some time each day to at least breathe and thank the universe for helping me through some stress, challenges and a bit of laziness.

I enjoy the guided meditations, they challenge me to go deeper within and to focus on me! I am giver and I seem to focus more on others and less on me, at least it has felt like that lately. When I start a new meditation daily it's wonderful, I usually get release and I learn something new about myself. I try to incorporate what I do learn into my daily life and if I can't, I just keep working on it. I'm back now and glad to be back!

Day 5: The Rhythm of Your Mind-Body

Today's centering thought: I flow in rhythm with my mind and body. Well not quite yet, that is why I'm doing this challenge, to find that rhythm, to find balance. What I am finding during this challenge is that my rhythm in meditation is getting better and easier. I am able to relax into the meditation more quickly now and really quiet my mind. After the meditations I feel more centered and my mind is clearer, this makes for easier journaling or writing this blog ...sometimes. That being said it was a more difficult session in the sense that I really looked deep into myself to answer the questions coming to the surface, like my relationship with my sister or lack of it. I want to think I have control of our situation but I don't and today I owned up to it. 

I have been in denial about my relationship with my sister, maybe not denial but I have not really worked on it because I know it will be difficult and because my sister really doesn't care, I think. We have never really been close, we are complete opposites and if she wasn't my sister she is not a person I would be friends with. Don't get me wrong, even in our kind of estranged relationship she is still my sister and I love her in the good & bad, we are family after all. There is one thing we both have in common and that is our love for our mother, she has a long term disease that is incurable but we both have managed to find a way to communicate and have even become a little closer. This gives me hope that maybe we can put aside our differences and become more sisterly. 

These sessions are really opening my eyes, I am feeling less stress at each session because I am addressing each difficult situation that may come to the surface during the sessions, I am starting to let go or at the very least realize it is out of my control. I am finding real help and emotional release through meditation and the best part, I am healing myself by looking within and listening to my mind, body & spirit. 

Today's mantra was very much welcomed, "Om Anandham Namah", meaning my actions are blissfully free from attachment to outcome.

"As we learn about this mind-body connection and enter our meditation, commit to greeting every moment today with passion and joy" -Deepak Chopra

Day 4: The Wisdom of Your Body

Today's centering thought: I trust the wisdom of my body. It's doable but will I be consistent? I hope so. In today's session one of the questions was, "What messages do you tell yourself through out the day?" There are some messages I use when I am feeling off balance, stressed out or angry. One of my tried & true messages is, "breathe, inhale positive energy and exhale negative energy". I release that negative energy out into the universe but imagine it dissipating so as not to infect someone else ...I know, I sound like a hippie but by saying and doing it, it really does bring me release. Another message I use is one I learned in high school when I was on the swim team, it is something our coach told us and that we chanted out loud before a swim meat or to ourselves and that is "PMA", Positive Mental Attitude. It worked for me then and it works for me now. I Just keep repeating it until I believed it or had at least calmed my nerves.

Something I would like to do each morning upon waking; smile, stretch like a cat does, express gratitude and start the day with a positive mantra or centering thought. Sounds easy enough, right? Once again, it's doable but will I be consistent? It is something I really want to do, it connects you to your mind, body and spirit all of which I want greater connection too. Better connection is better health & well being.

Now for today's mantra: "Om, Om, Om" repeating "Om" honors our connection to the universe. Whenever you feel yourself distracted by noises around you or thoughts, simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra.

"Based on how we interpret what is around us, the brain and central nervous system respond by sending our cells a constant stream of messages that directly impact our physical state. Positive messages draw healthy responses from our bodies in the form of stronger immune systems and healthier sleep patterns, among many other benefits that can last a lifetime." -Deepak Chopra

Day 3: The Intuition of Your Body

Today's centering thought: My mind and body are in perfect sync ...I wish! I will be pondering that thought, engraving it into my brain and I have a good feeling about this, maybe because it's totally doable. During today's session I realized I have been ignoring my intuition, why? The more stressed I get the more I ignore my intuition, maybe because I am to upset or stressed to listen to it. I realized that it is in those trying moments that I really should be listening to it, my decisions would be better and be healthier for my body.

I believe in following your intuition and have for sometime. My first realization of my intuition was in my tween's, my father was going out of town and I had a bad feeling that he should not go, I begged him to stay home, he asked me why, was I sick? "No, you just can't go, something bad is going to happen" I said. He shrugged it off and left however he did miss his flight ...that flight crashed, thankfully no one died and thankfully my father was not on the flight. When my father came back he sat me down and told me to trust my intuition even if it makes someone angry, "sometimes there are no second chances" he said. That day he really opened up to me, even telling me something that happened to him that was very personal, I will always treasure that wonderful moment. Trust your intuition, your gut or that inner voice after all it is a part of you.

This brings me to today's mantra: "Sham, sham, sham",  repeating "Sham" awakens the third eye chakra, your intuition or "sixth sense". The third eye chakra is located at the center of the forehead, between the eyes, aka Anja.

"As we're learning, our bodies already know how to attain equilibrium, and we can enhance our physical state simply by listening to the clues our body gives us. From Ayurveda, the world's oldest health system, we learn today that our bodies inherent tendencies, called dosha's. The more deeply connected with our intuition we become, the more we grow in awareness of how best to keep our dosha's-and our bodies-in balance." Deepak Chopra

Day 2: The Nature of Perfect Health

Today's centering thought: Balance is my true nature. So, how do you keep yourself balanced? For me it works in 3 parts: your mind, body & spirit, all 3 need to be in harmony and when they are it is awesome! Right now I'm off balance ...really off. Slowly I have been ignoring my mind, body & spirit and now I have a chance to bring them all back into balance, it's time for me to stop being lazy.

Meditating and Breath does wonders to get me closer to balance but I stopped meditating somewhere (so glad to start it back up). Whenever I feel stressed, overworked or tired I take a moment to breathe, what's great is you can do this anywhere. A simple breathing technique goes like this: inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4 then repeat as needed, usually a few times brings me back, calms me, my mind gets clearer and I am ready for what life through's at me ...or so I thought.

The mantra today is "yum, yum, yum", I laughed too. Repeating Yum enlivens your Heart Chakra, (the fourth Chakra along the spine, along side the heart, aka Anahata) By learning to accept yourself, trust and be compassionate, you balance the Heart Chakra. Emotional healing is part of a balanced Heart Chakra. So, whenever you find you are distracted by thoughts or the sounds around you recite the mantra "yum, yum, yum".

"While our bodies naturally move toward balance, there a things we can do to aid in this process. For instance we can send our bodies messages of love and support by eating nourishing foods, getting proper rest, and engaging in activities that make us feel truly alive. So, as we begin to understand how our bodies take care of us, we also learn how we can better take care of our bodies". Deepak Chopra

One last thing, and I truly believe this, I've just been a little lazy in this department.

"To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear" Buddha

Day 1: The Journey to Perfect Health

Today was a good day! Maybe because I got so much accomplished, maybe because I meditated or maybe because a made a superb lunch, who knows. It's day 1 of the 21 day challenge and today's centering thought was; I commit to living perfect health and, well, meditating on that felt good and really made me question what is perfect health. I am usually stuck on getting my body healthy but it is so much more than that, I know that it is not just about the body but also the mind & spirit, I just needed a little reminder. Perfect health for me means a healthy & happy mind, body & spirit, they all need work but at this moment my body comes first. With out a working, healthy body how can I achieve a healthy, happy mind & spirit? 

One of the questions asked today was; how would your life transform if you felt completely vibrant & strong? I have seen vibrant & strong people (it's rare, but they are out there) while walking down the street, they have a bounce in there step, stand tall, have a vibrant smile on there face, a glow surrounding them and it's contagious, the positive energy these people exude attaches itself to you, if only for a moment. This feeling of vibrancy & strength is exhilarating, wouldn't it be wonderful to feel this way all the time? With that feeling I could achieve so much more, preform better in all that I do, give more of myself to others. I would probably push myself harder to achieve my goals & dreams ...I would find myself again, my true self. I remember this feeling but it was so long ago. It's time to get me back! 

You can still sign up for the challenge and it's free! Just click here and begin your journey to living perfect health!

Getting Ready to Meditate!

Getting ready to meditate and boy do I need it! When I meditate (few and far between) I always feel better so I am looking forward to this 21 Day Meditation Challenge. I need a little help in this area so a daily guided meditation from Deepak Chopra is very welcome. The challenge starts tomorrow so today I am getting ready; finding a space to meditate, letting everyone know about it (so they can join too!), etc. 

If you are interested follow the link above to join. I am planning on blogging about this daily (we'll see how that goes) to express feelings, discoveries, etc. Feel free to post your thoughts too. Happy Meditating!