Tag Archives: Meditation

Meditation Tips, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

How To Live A Full Life…

The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are. – Marcus Aurelius

tackling life

These two principles are all we need to live life fully. We ought to keep our equanimity, which becomes possible after much practice and meditation plus we ought to be able to look at life objectively. When we’re calm we’re able to receive divine help, we’re able to make better decisions and we’re more easily headed in the right direction.

practice

To gain equanimity practice is essential. Here are some stillness practices. The basic idea is simple:

  • Find 5 minutes 2-3 times a day to be with self
  • Relax your body and mind
  • Focus attention on breathing

Self-knowledge is required if we’re to face life squarely. Self-knowledge comes from attention. Attention to how we react to events and attention on why we do what we do. Marry these two principles and we have the perfect recipe for handling any situation!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM still and attentive.

Recommendation: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Meditations (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Gita, Quotes - 2011

When There’s Nothing Else to Know…

7.1 Hear now, Arjuna, how thou shalt have the full vision of me, if thy heart is set on me and if, striving for Yoga, I am thy refuge supreme.

7.2 And I will speak to thee of that wisdom and vision which, when known, there is nothing else for thee to know. – The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 7)

for the asking

The goal of the ages is obtainable just for the asking. This book reveals that when the pupil is ready the teacher appears; when we ask we’re given. That’s especially true if we seek the ‘kingdom of God’ within because then everything else that’s spiritually necessary to achieve this ultimate goal is added onto our lives.

the greatest knowledge

The greatest knowledge is that which:

  • Allows us to live happy and fulfilling lives today
  • Helps us understand reality and our place in it
  • Clarifies for us where we’re headed

According to this ‘bible’ of the Hindus, when we seek ‘Yoga’ (union) with ultimate reality (God) then we start a chain of events that ultimately leads us to the very doorstep of All That Is.

Daily Affirmation: Today I seek God.

Recommendation: The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) by Juan Mascaro

The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Gita

The Way Of Silence

6.24 When all desires are in peace and the mind, withdrawing within, gathers the multitudinous straying senses into the harmony of recollection,

6.25 Then, with reason armed with resolution, let the seeker quietly lead the mind into the Spirit, and let all his thoughts be silence. – The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 6)

constant theme

A harmonious mind that withdraws inwards is what The Gita touts as being the main pre-requisite to contact with the Divine.

in the silence

A resolute mind that’s in the silence can approach ‘Spirit’ which resides in such a mind. In the continued silence can be heard the guidance of the spirit. It’s the ‘still small voice’ that struggles to be heard beyond the electro-chemical storm that brews inside our brains. It’s also a joyous explosion of love that can be felt rising from the deepest parts of such a quiet mind. It’s palpable and very real.

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM still and conscious of THAT which IS.

Recommendation: The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) by Juan Mascaro

The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Quotes - 2011, Stillness

How We Bloom…

No creature is fully itself till it is, like the dandelion, opened in the bloom of pure relationship to the sun, the entire living cosmos. – D.H. Lawrence

to what end?

Yes we are the creation. We live in the midst of the most ambitious and grand undertaking in time and space. We’re part of an unrelenting march of life through this almost limitless universe that houses all space and all time. What is our place in this creation? What are we doing here? Why? To what end? Where are we headed? Who are we?

the creator

Many indicators suggest that this creation in which we all dwell and have our being is the handiwork of a master creator. This creator participates personally in her creation and cares for all happenings big and small. He cares for people and relationships because apparently love is the currency of this universe and increasing this love is a purpose of it all. Let’s ponder that!

Daily Affirmation: Today I AM aware of and reach for the Creator Sun!

Recommendation: A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles"Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Gita, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

Reaching Freedom

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5.27/28 When the sage of silence … closes the doors of his soul and, resting his inner gaze between the eyebrows, keeps peaceful and even the ebbing and flowing of breath; and with life and mind and reason in harmony, and with desire and fear and wrath gone … he in truth has attained final freedom.  – The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 5)

harmony

Having overcome desire for the frivolous, fear and anger, the person in pursuit of ultimate reality approaches harmony. Harmony promotes a deeper connection with all that is.

stillness

Meditation can help us reach that state of harmony; as we become more still, the spirit within us has more sway over our conscious mind. That’s especially true if we desire that guidance. The harmony in turn leads us to a deeper contact with inner reality. Harmony and meditation, feed each other. Regular meditation allows us to move in harmony through-out the day, doing that in turn deepens our practice of meditation.

Daily Affirmation: Today I move in harmony and stillness.

Recommendation: The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) by Juan Mascaro

The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Gita, Quotes - 2011, Stillness

What Is Sin?

5.17 Their thoughts on Him and one with Him, they abide in Him, and He is the end of their journey. And they reach the land of never-returning, because their wisdom has made them pure of sin. – The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 5)

meditation

According to this the holiest book of Hindus, God is the grand purpose and the prime destination of life. One practice essential in contacting this godhead is meditation. This verse prescribes how a mortal can reach the ultimate human goal.

sin

Any action or thought that takes us away from our prime objective can be tagged as ‘sin’. The wisdom that we apply to daily living along with meditation leads us to life’s goal. Knowing the destination and the means to get to that destination is knowledge that’s precious.

Daily Affirmation: Today I seek the ultimate goal.

Recommendation: The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics) by Juan Mascaro

The Bhagavad Gita (Penguin Classics)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6

Quotes - 2011

Caring For Self & Others

Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get. – H. Jackson Brown

caring for self

There are some great people who focus mainly on taking care of others. Often they neglect to take care of themselves. Caring for the self can involve many dimensions:

  • Focusing on a life of purpose and vision
  • Forgiving self and improving other aspects of self that lead to less guilt
  • Taking care of our health and general well-being

When we care for our self first we’re often in better shape to care for others.

caring for others

It appears that the whole universe is built for connection and for relationships. As we grow in self-awareness and become less selfish we notice that there are others who can be served. Quality attention put into our relationships yields quality results. What can be more important than family and relationships?

Daily Affirmation: Today I care for self and others.

Recommendation: Love Thyself: The Message from Water by Masaru Emoto

Love Thyself: The Message from Water III (v. 3)Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, 6