Reposting because it didn’t make the email rounds!
Stretch your wings out
Even when the air currents are ascending, no bird can soar except by outstretched wings. – The Urantia Papers
This quote is informing on two fronts!
- That there is a Universal (or life) current which we can attach ourselves to, which will take us to wherever we need to go.
- And that we must make the minimum effort required to participate in that Universal program!
To connect with this Life source meditation helps tremendously.
Meditation Tip #2: Sit down (at least thrice a day or when you need to feel the calm), close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths.
The breaths should be long drawn, held for a few seconds and then exhaled slowly. This relaxes your body and starts to relax your mind.
Breathe naturally now. Put your full attention on your breath. Watch and experience the breath as it goes in/out. Notice how you might lose track and get lost in a thought. Notice this too. And then put your attention back on the breath.
Practice for 5 minutes!
Reference: Meditation Tip #1
Recommendation: The Center Within
Living life consciously
I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. – Henry David Thoreau
What does it take to be happy and to achieve what we desire?
‘Conscious endeavor’
Consciousness of what will be good for us, consciousness of who we are, what we truly want and then conscious effort towards the goals of being and doing.
Recommendation: Awakening of Intelligence – J Krishnamurti
The best of now and here
No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here. – John Greenleaf Whittier
There’s a lot of good and goodness around us, if we just pay attention. To a large measure our thoughts, our current thoughts, will create the future that is yet to be.
If we notice and appreciate all that’s great around us and in us, then we truly live today; and we create an amazing tomorrow because our thoughts today are made up of all that’s beautiful!
What can you use to remind yourself to do that? Daily?
Recommendation: Choose Them Wisely: Thoughts Become Things! by Mike Dooley
What we truly want
Ultimately, contentment is more a shift in attitude than a change in circumstances. – Linda Dillow
What do we truly want and where are we headed? These questions are at the heart of all our desires. When we buy things or undertake any life action based on our desires, we are really trying to uncover ourselves. We’re trying to understand and comprehend our place in the Universe. Now there’s a more direct way, a way that can be more fulfilling and joyous.
And that is to be more conscious of what you do, what you desire and why……
You’ve heard of prime numbers but have you heard of the 2 prime questions or the 2 Prime Quests!? They are:
- Who Am I: The quest towards self-knowledge. What keeps me going? Why? What do I really seek? It’s a never ending process to uncover bits of yourself. It’s possible to be very effective in this quest if we’re conscious of our driving motivations.
- Why am I here: A quest towards understanding our place in the Universe. Why are things the way they are? Here you try and understand how you fit into the grand scheme of things…….
So what does this have to do with the quote above? When we begin to know ourselves and our place, a certain contentment starts to replace the constant drive to get something or get someplace. The quest to achieve continues but in a very different way………….
Recommendation: Finding Your Life Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
How to really understand someone
You truly understand another when you see him free from your personal feeling toward him. – Vernon Howard
Can we really see another as they are? To do that we would have to do at least two things:
- See them for who they are right now: Just be with them and not dwell on any thoughts about them, their past and what they might have done to you (good or bad). Just be, with them, now. Experience them.
- Listen to them at all levels: Listen to them so there’s no chatter in your mind while you listen and ensure that you’re not compiling your response to them, while they talk :)! Can you hear the flutter in their voice, the subtle nuances, the pain or joy? Can you notice their body language, facial expressions and what might lie under these expressions? Can you sense their being, their motive, their desires? All of this lies just under the words they speak. So listen deeply!
Meditation Tip #1 will help here!
Reference: The 3 levels of listening (Co-active Coaching)
Recommendation: The Power of Now by Eckart Tolle
Connecting with your deep self
In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. – Mahatma Gandhi
Imagine entering your bedroom, shutting the door behind you to the day’s worries, the hustle and the noise. You are now feeling very calm and settled. Next you sit (or lie) down and settle into a quiet repose. You now experience a peace and joy that’s impossible to describe to anyone else!
This is a good description of what Meditation/Stillness feels like. It’s something you can practice even beyond the confines of your private retreat.
Meditation Tips: Below is a first step towards learning how to practice stillness. About once a week I’ll be sharing a new tip, the series will guide you into meditating like a pro!
Meditation Tip #1: Try this. Notice the palm of your hand. Just experience it for what it is, don’t create a thought about it. Now put your attention on your breath and just experience it. Breathe in/out normally.
Most of us are lost in the inner chatter of our mind making up thoughts about everyone and everything. As you notice your body you enter the present moment and it stays that way until your mind manufactures a thought about the experience.
Now all day try to recreate moments like these, become present by noticing your body/breath and don’t think about it, just experience it.
This is the first step (and actually the last….tell you more later) towards stillness, peace and calm!!
Recommendation: Gateways to Now by Eckhart Tolle