Whatever is happening in our life we tend to identify
with it, i.e. when sorrow comes we become sorrow, when happiness comes we
become happy, when confusion and ignorance come we become confused and
ignorant. We are all in this human
body, which is a wonderful thing as it gives us the opportunity to dive into
ourselves and to observe our minds.
We naturally want to be happy in fact we seemingly are never satisfied
and are always wanting more, we don’t want to worry but we always worry. We naturally want to make sure tomorrow
will be safe but we are looking in the wrong places with the wrong methods to
do so, it isn’t in having a flat in Paris and one in Holland. It isn’t in having an expensive holiday
or is it in having a highflying job or the friends that you work with. What we really have to do to make sure
tomorrow is happy and safe is to not think of tomorrow but think of the now and
create a mind which is not going to be disturbed in any circumstances. We need a method to not be affected by
any physical or mental condition so in times when things seem more difficult;
in times of loss or pain, actually they are easy because we don’t identify with
them and remain unaffected. We can enjoy our experiences but try not to get
attached to them, let them go as everything is always changing, nothing stays
the same only the ultimate truth does so.
So when we have those times of exhilaration enjoy and move on, as they
don’t last, there are always ups and downs, comings and goings. Don’t let your expectations disturb
you, try to accept things as they are.
The problem with us is that we expect everything to be perfect we want
ourselves to be perfect. This
dream of perfection is going to cause nothing but worry and anxiousness or even
disappointment, as nothing is perfect only in consciousness itself does this
exist.
We can help ourselves to overcome our delusions and
rest safely and happily in the now by being grateful for all that we do have,
for most of us we are exceptionally lucky sitting here looking at this computer
screen with all 10 toes, the sense of sight, of touch, the ability to read and
think. For some these things are
not a possibility. A while ago I
was coming back home from town in a taxi watching an old man with one leg
having to wheel himself about in a make shift chair that he had to struggle to
turn the leaver at the front with one hand to make the wheels go round, through
the most busy and polluted streets in amongst all the noise and traffic, this
man looked between 70-80 year old or even older. All I could think of was struggle for this man to simply be
able to move. So for most of us we
have so much to be grateful for right?
Taking time for some meditation on this is a great
help in getting us closer to gaining that mind that is going to remain
contented and unaffected.
Here is how –
1.Sit in a calm place and sit comfortably, you can
sit in a chair if it is not possible to sit on the floor for you. However you are sitting be it in lotus
pose or simple crossed legged, or with the legs out straight in front, make
sure that the spine is held straight.
2.Close your eyes and observe your body for a few
moments, try to relax your face, smoothing any lines across your brow, relax
your eyes and your jaw.
Tense and release any muscles that are feeling tight
or where you feel tension and try to relax your whole body.
Rest your hands gently in your lap and start to
observe your breath, without changing anything just be witness to your tummy
gently moving as you breathe.
3.After some time begin to imagine your toes and be
grateful for them, for all the work they do for you each day. Imagine your feet be glad you have them
to carry you around, your legs, your hips. Imagine your spine holding your whole body up straight, your
lungs for enabling you to breath.
Your hands that allow you to write, cook, and all the things you
do. Imagine your skin allowing you
to touch, your eyes allowing you to see, your nose allowing you to smell, your
ears allowing you to hear and your tongue allowing you to taste. Imagine your beautiful heart beating,
what a wonder no? You can work
through your whole body and be grateful and happy with each part of it; even
you can work through your internal organs and your wonderful mind. You can even continue with thoughts of
waking up in a bed in a room, that you have running water, a kettle to make tea
with etc etc.
4.When you have finished going through all these
things of which there are so many to be thankful for then just sit for a while
in your own love and light, just breathe and be.
5.Before opening your eyes place your hands together
in front of your heart centre and say thank you, then rub your hands together
to create a heat and place them over your eyes. Observe for a moment now how your mind is feeling - a little
happier, a little lighter? This
will help you to take courage and continue on with the next time you practice
your meditation.
6.When you are ready open your eyes and place your
hands back to your lap.
Continue your day with a happier and more contented
heart.
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI
Thank you Frank for sharing this meditation.
Peace love and light
Mangala – Nicky.
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