What meditation is for me
I’ll just jump right in as there is not a linear way for me to start this I feel.. here it goes..
Once a stillness is present, meditation is an opportunity to get away from the busy outside distractions, and peal back the inner layers.
When I sit, I feel the pressures of life melt away. We live in such a busy world and sometimes you snap back into the ‘oh shit!’I need to do this and that. Panic can strike. But within this practice everything is given space to dissolve and open up. All that is really required is to allow that to happen, instead of putting up barriers. Accepting what is.
Not only does this ‘time out’ – I prefer it actually called ‘time in’ – gives you more space in the day, and clarity in being able to naturally structure a day rather than think oh god here’s a list of things I’ve got to do. You are safe. You are truly loved.
Makes me feel more connected with myself, with everyone around, not just people but all beings, all vessels in this life, especially nature.
My personal practice is a very felt physical experience. This sense of an endlessness but not in an exhausting way, no – in a warm open way. All is linked, all is united and intertwined, no separation.
There are 2 paths I feel in this practice, and I think they come in steps. First, we have to understand that the mind loves an adventure and we don’t want to stop the thoughts – no – we want to notice them as they are – no more, no less – allow them to pass and then if the mind does go for a little walk, come back to the breath. The breath is an amazing gift that we can use as a tool to bring ourselves back, find grounding, create rhythm and most of all, be truly in the present moment.
A ‘full’ experience does not happen because you will it to, you have the experience within you already and a meditation practice allows the channels to really open for you to manifest the experience.
If this is a little abstract, that is okay! Stay with me..
Exploring your own level of consciousness is epic, but first we have to learn how to quieten the mind, and simply notice without getting distracted with the story.
This space between throughs helps me gain a clear projection of what is going on in my life. I am more productive, I am kinder hearted, and most of all loving of all myself. Not just some bits! And as this love for myself and clarity comes, this is shared with those around me; as I am more compassionate, non judgemental and far more accepting of situations. And life has some pretty unique situations! I actually find comfort in the unusual and uncomfortable now, not only the pleasant and pleasurable ones – they are all just as important and truly have their place.
And yes these in brief are reasons that at the beginning of my practice I continued the habit of sitting down to meditate, once I had learnt to concentrate! But these alone is not why I sit now.
For now, the reason I sit is because I get this ‘juiciness’ and it’s different every time. Sometimes I get similar experiences but each time is a new reality and its an adventure, that is expansive.
My body feels euphoric and I often get very hot, physically that is. My practice has always had a body felt experience and I work with energies and chakras which generate sensations, colours and vibrations. Being present with myself is so integral to this practice, I have learnt how to not get excited when a ‘new’ sensation or experience arrises, as I have learnt, the journey at this point will change direction and it is not like picking up your book where you last left off. It is like jumping into a chapter and just riding with it.
For me, I can’t describe how potent this can be. I can only feel it by experiencing.
Having a meditation practice is the best gift, you can get the same high as taking drugs but it’s so so clean. And better!
Being able to feel, understand and truly be happy with where I am each day.
Each day sometimes when you sit down you just go, and others not so much – both are just as vital and beautiful as each other.
For me, meditation is about connecting back to being.
