med·i·tate
/ˈmedəˌtāt/
verb
think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.
I wrote this post during the early stages of what has become a global crisis. I feel that now more than ever aligning our mind, body, and spirit is crucial to our health. Please enjoy the read below and know that your Beyond Blog community is here to support you.
Meditate can be a scary word. When you think of meditation does a yogi with criss-crossed legs come to mind? I’m sure it does. If it doesn’t then what else comes to mind? Sitting in silence for hours on end? Eyes closed chanting unfamiliar words? Well, it can be all of those things or it can be none. When I think of meditation, having practiced before, I feel a sense of calm. Meditation to me, means emptying my mind to bring clarity upon what matters or what is relevant to me in that time frame.
Receiving Light, Love, and Understanding
Below I will list four steps to guide someone, possibly you, who has yet to practice this stillness which I wholeheartedly believe is vital to one’s alignment of their Magic Three. These steps have worked for me and may or may not work for you, but I do urge you to give them consideration as they have made an exponential impact to my own being.
Before I continue- Magic Three is your Mind, Body, and Soul. I’ve named this because mental, physical, and spiritual alignment is a topic that has become of great importance to me and is the basis of Six2Nine Collective*. I believe that as human beings, our wholeness is so complex and this complexity encompasses so much more than what you do to pay the bills. It is the collective essence of what your Magic Three attains currently, what you aspire to be, and where your aspirations will lead you. Meditation, for me, plays a part in these aspirations beyond what I can put into words. The difference is noticeable to the point where- if I do not meditate for days on end I feel antsy, coarse, and restrained from my true self. When I practice daily meditation I feel elation, balanced, and my reaction to adversity is much more aligned with my personal tenets of humility, compassion, and empathy.
1. Make Time
My ideal day starts with affirmations, drinking water, and meditation. Granted, I don’t always allow time for meditation, but when I do, I make it a point to set aside anywhere from 5-15 minutes of time to allow myself the gift of stillness before the day begins. That being said, whether you are practicing right when you wake up, during lunch break, as your day ends, or anywhere in between, it is important to allow this time to be uninterrupted as, I believe, stillness in longevity has exponential power. If you are just starting out, try setting a timer for 3 minutes (it goes by a lot quicker than you think).
2. Find a Space
Whether you wake up at 6:00 am or find time during your lunch break, space is everything. It may feel uncomfortable to begin, but once you establish your safe space- be it your bed, your floor, your cubicle, a car, the outside of an office building, be sure to create a space for yourself to be at peace within. Sometimes, for me, this space looks like my office at work, my front lawn, or my car. Since I have practiced before, I am less self-conscious of where I am able to find this realm. When you are beginning, it may feel awkward to seek out or create this time/space for yourself, but please- endure these feelings as ego and let them pass through as you are about to engage into an uplifting practice that can actually turn your day around from agitation, or whatever you may be feeling at the beginning of your practice, to acceptance. Perhaps you will see your current situation in a different light.
3. Set an Intention
What is your motive for this practice? Are you seeking greater self awareness? Do you wonder what inner peace feels like? Did your partner say something that didn't sit right with you? What about a coworker or your boss? Is your wish to grow your business? More often than not, having a destination in mind for your journey plays a key part in where you end up. My own destination is Magic Three alignment, to grow Six2Nine Collective, and to encourage others to seek their most authentic selves. I have several mantras which I repeat during meditation which encompass these goals. They vary day-to-day because I know that this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Initially, prior to my practice I wrote down what I wanted to focus on which I found useful. If you’re not sure what your intention is, try focusing on clarity. A clear mind is a surefire way to seek out your most authentic self. Clarity is also a daily affirmation that needs tender love and care. Feeling clear one day may not translate to the next, similar to a muscle you are working out. It needs care daily and rest.
4. Deep Breath In, Out the Same Way In.
Once you have incorporated the first three steps, sit down and practice. I like to breathe in through my nose and out the same way. This is what feels comfortable to me. When I feel the need to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth, I do so. Stretch your arms, wiggle your toes, and smile! There is no right or wrong. Allow yourself to be still and feel your breath. I find I have my most productive meditations in nature or outside, but! I have also had some very calming meditative moments in my car or office. Try to think of a place you feel at peace. Is it the beach? The mountains? Your childhood home? A park you once went to? Sit there and breathe. The point is that you are allowing yourself to be still among the day-to-day commonality. Try to have compassion with yourself if it’s your first, second, or third time. It will feel more natural and you’ll thank yourself for the time you allowed to reconnect to your inner stillness.
*Six2Nine is a project currently underway. Our mission is to guide individuals to live life as their most authentic selves. I will be speaking about our foundational tenets throughout various posts in hopes to share insight about our growth and vision.
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