Do you find that most of your time is spent expending energy caring for others or performing tasks that just need to get done?
Perhaps, like me, you find this situation to be familiar. Perhaps you've been searching (or hoping) for a way to find some balance - a way to take care of YOU without any guilt trips, whether real or imagined.
Perhaps you've also noticed that you don't have a ton of time in the day to make this possible with all of the other responsibilities that you have taken in your life.
I'll tell you what: You can find about 15 minutes a day to do something that will help you find balance on all levels.
I've decided to do this by way of the free online Chopra Center's 21-Day Meditation Challenge. I really don't remember how I stumbled upon it. I was probably googling "Guided Meditation Videos" at the time and happened to land upon this precious jewel of a program. Did I mention that it's free?!
From what I understand, you get on the email list, and when the new round of 21 days begins, you get your first email. For me, today was Day 1.
I was delightfully surprised by how completely relaxed and wonderful I could feel in just 12 minutes. In fact, it felt far longer than that (in a good way), so when the guider announced how long the session had been, I was wowed. I was also touched by the some words that he said. He asked us to reflect for a moment on our deepest desires. Mine are to be truly happy and content.
About a moment later, he said that whatever our deepest desire may be, that is what we ARE. I acknowledged that I am that that I desire - I am happiness and contentment. It was then that I decided that I would share this journey with you here.
Perhaps you'll be inspired to participate. Perhaps you'll even share your thoughts along the way in the form of a comment under my posts. Maybe you just want to witness another human being's journey on this path before you decide to embark on it. Whatever has led you here and has you still reading, I am glad. Hopefully you'll hang out with me long after the 21 days. :)
Evidently, each day will be a different type of meditation, and the hope is that you will find one you like and stick with it after the 21 days of guided practice. This particular session that I practiced tonight was a mindfulness meditation - probably the best type to start with, especially if you are an absolute beginner with meditation.
The guider's soft and comforting voice guided all of my senses into noticing what was happening in the present moment. Any time my mind drifted, I was instructed to become aware of what I heard, smelled, tasted or what my body felt, and this, so easily yet miraculously brought me into the present.
And my mind did drift, indeed.
Some of the things I recall thinking about:
My friend who had a medical procedure today
Another friend with whom I emailed with today
Another friend who had just made a funny comment on one of my facebook posts
How I would like to ice the cake that was cooling down in the kitchen
What might happen at work tomorrow
And many other thoughts...
My intention in sharing that list with you is to encourage you. Most people avoid meditation because they think that they have to somehow turn their mind off in order to have had a "successful" meditation session. Newsflash = your mind will keep thinking thoughts. That's its job. You are not supposed to stop it. Let it do its thing, and over time, you will become more disciplined and less bothered by it.
At least, that's what I'm told, and that's what I am looking forward to.
May you step on this journey with an open heart and open mind. May you find all that you are looking for, one step at a time.
Namaste,
Debbie aka Sulilo
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