Meditation Experiences

About 8 years ago I realized that I wanted and needed to get rid of some of the noise of my overactive brain. Life was overwhelming, every decision took on massive proportion and I was generally left with a sense of less than-ness. So I learned how to meditate. The goal was to quiet the thoughts at the outset and later become a process of not attaching to them.

But what I really was learning was to show compassion for myself in my process. To lessen the judgement and inner dialogue that was so filled with how I was not ________ enough - you can fill in the blanks if this resonates for you.

I've been practicing meditation now for over 8 years. Mostly alone, sometimes when I'm lucky, on a multi day retreat, and lately in a new setting for me.

There's a Meditation center in my neighborhood called Shambhala Meditation Center of Chicago. I wandered in after being told by a friend that she had visited it and thought I'd like it. And was she right. There is something about sitting silently in a group that provides an entirely different experience to the meditation journey. You are doing it yourself, but you are not alone. When you stand you see others, and you realize that you are not alone in your desire to find that peacefulness and help repair the world, one mind at a time.

Baby Steps

How does we make a significant change, usually by taking baby (small) steps. How many times have we each said - I'm going to do _____? We're excited by something new, we think it will have a big impact on us or we know we have to do something. And for many of us, that moment passes and we are left not doing what we thought we'd do because _____________ (fill in the blank.)

Yesterday I came across a reading book site. Installments are sent in bite size (baby step) portions and before you know it, you've read a whole book. And you get to enjoy just a segment at a time - kind of like eating an orange.

Go to www.dailylit.com to find something new that forces the baby step. Enjoy!

Locking up

Lately I'm noticing that there's a great deal of tightening, contracting and locking up going on. I know you're noticing it too.

Every newscast, every newspaper is swarming with stories that cause us to hold on tight. But the truth is, that's exactly the opposite of what we need to be doing.

We need to loosen up, need to raise our energy and our vibration, to bring about the good that we are. So what to do?

3 quick suggestions:
Put on your favorite music and move! Dance, be free and don't worry about anyone seeing you, they won't and if they do....they'll want to do the same.

Remember to smile more. As you do it, see how it improves your outlook.

Breath deep. When we're fearful, we take in less oxygen and that tightens us up. Air is free, take it in!

We have power to improve this - baby step by baby step.

Stepping up!

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has played a significant role in my world, for many years. (yes, I remember Jonestown and wondering whether it was a joke when the network broke in to report it when I was in college.)

Well they have outdone themselves now. Aside from the brilliance of Tina Fey's portrayal of Sarah Palin, they have also launched Weekend Update on Thursday nights.

Laughter is critical, humor is so important. At this time in our economic and political situation, we need to laugh and giggle even more. It is too easy to jump into the gloom and doom and fear and dread. SNL picks us right up out of our stuff and brings us to our knees (and maybe even toilets) from laughter. They are providing a remarkable service to the public. Kudos!

I'm back

It's been some time since I last wrote.

What I'm finding right now is that I'm obsessed with what's happening in the media. Economics, politics, spin, power and energy. And it's alot of yuch.

What we hear, what we let in, really does influence us. It can change our mood, our thoughts, and our energy. It can zap us, or it can empower us.

Just for the record, I'm a big TV watcher. Yes, I know, it's not considered very cool, but I have always liked TV - so I watch it. But honestly, I'm in overload now with the US presidential election. It has become insulting. The energy out of the MP camp is upsetting - fear based, attacking and irresponsible. I find myself upset about the spin that is allowed to take place, and the untruths that are set out. I also find the choice for VP candidate to say it all about John McCain. She is an irresponsible choice - he has shown us that his judgement is off. As Alec Baldwin said on Real Time with Bill Maher, John McCain's time was in 2000, not now.

I encourage all of us to remember to hold on to the thoughts that bring us pleasure right now. Not the ones where we get an adrenalin rush from feeling competitive or better, but the ones that are filled with kindness. We are being challenged right now by lots of emotional pulls, and we can be helpful by finding the things that make us feel good. So let's do it.

Find that feel good movie

Last night I happened on a movie I'd heard much about - "We Are Marshall". A powerful true story about a college that lost almost it's entire football team in a plane crash. The story continues on to share how the people of the town rebuild, find new energy, come alive again, from what looked like an impossible place.

Watching something so uplifting was energy shifting. I found myself laughing, crying, cheering and feeling better and better.

What movies do that for you?

Find one and watch it!

Feel good!

Natalie

Winter Solstice Celebration

There's something amazing about the Winter Solstice time. I get a rush every year when I realize that we've just passed the date when the days start to get longer again.

Today I went to a Winter Solstice Concert at Link's Hall in Chicago. The performers Hamid Drake & Michael Zerang are AMAZING percussionists/drummers. The concert began at 6 am and lasts for about 75 minutes. The audience was led through a series of improvisations by the two artists that grew and grew in energy and intention. By the end I felt wonderful, energized and inspired. There's something about doing something new, something different, something that takes you out of your normal comfort zone that is so powerful.

When we left the program, the sun was up, the snow was falling and the winds were blustering. It felt just right.

Happy Solstice!