“Yoga is the settling of the mind into silence. When the mind has settled, we are established in our essential nature, which is unbounded consciousness. Our essential nature is usually overshadowed by the activity of the mind.” -Patanjali
My Practice is Stillness | Day 1: I didn't know what to expect when I decided to take this challenge, aside from a casual yoga practice, I've never meditated or done anything like this before. I'm the type of person, who in savasana is twitching- my body and mind are accustomed to constant thought and motion.
The challenge
I listened to the audio "seed" and found that it was very helpful- there was a voice and visualization that I could focus on. My whole body was twitching near the end, but I tried not to move and I wasn't uncomfortable so there was no need to. I look forward to the rest of the journey, this exercise was a great first step to a more mindful and peaceful living.Sit comfortably and watch the space between the eyebrows. Don’t try to see anything, just watch. Remain unconcerned with your thoughts. Remember, you can’t stop thinking by thinking. When the mind wanders, don’t make a big deal of it, just observe your thoughts. This can be practiced for 5-10 minutes. If you practice regularly, you will cultivate more peace and greater intuition through the practice of silence.
“Worthiness, or unworthiness, is something that is pronounced upon you by you. You are the only one that can deem yourself worthy or unworthy. You are the only one who can love yourself into a state of allowing, or hate yourself in a state of disallowing. There is not something wrong with you, nor is there something wrong with one who is not loving you. You are all just, in the moment, practicing the art of not allowing, or the art of resisting.” -Abraham Hicks
My Practice is Worthiness | Day 2: Who am I? What defines who I am? I am made up of layers; I am a physical self, intellectual self and spiritual self- but is that who I really am? Or are all of these layers just a reflection of my true self- a self made up of the potential for unconditional love.
The challenge
Today's meditation was insightful and thought provoking, it made me question; what defines who a person is, do those characteristics really make up a person or are they a reflection of one's true self? In my opinion, we are many things and we have many faces that we present to the world, we are not defined by one thing.Write down three areas of your life where you have experienced a feeling of unworthiness. Perhaps you didn’t think you were good looking enough, or maybe you weren’t a good enough mother, it can be anything. The first thing I would like you to do is a brief reflection to see if you know where these thoughts are coming from. You might know, you might not know. Just take a moment for contemplation. If something comes up for you, write it down and move on.
"May I be peaceful.
May I be at ease.
May I be filled with loving-kindness.
May I be free." -Buddhist Metta Meditation
My Practice is Nurturing | Day 2: Self-love, compassion and care should be something that everyone incorporates into their day life. There shouldn't be a stigmatization, when a person focuses on taking care of themselves before others- one must be at ease with themselves to fully and whole heartedly care for others.
The challenge
Mantra's and Mudras, why haven't I done this before? What a powerful moment to have the garuda, or angel wings over the heart, mudra and recite a mantra to myself, loved ones, community and the world! It's only been two days and I feel lighter and happier.Close your eyes. Take three deep, long breaths. What practices or rituals can you perform to bring reverence and self-love to truly embrace yourself?
“Just as you wouldn’t leave the house without taking a shower, you shouldn’t start the day without at least 10 minutes of sacred practice: prayer, meditation, inspirational reading.” -Marianne Williamson
My Practice is Devotion | Day 3: It's been an interesting couple of days; though I have only done four exercises and guided meditations, I feel as if it's something that has been part of my routine for a while. I start my day with a little enlightenment and feel focused, at ease and rested for the whole day.
The challenge
Say a prayer to your inner guide, or your higher power. Ask to let-go of what you think you need and surrender to your highest good, to your highest purpose. Sit in silence and listen. Jot a few notes down of what may arise for you in this moment.
In today's "seed", tantra's were incorporated- which are practices meant to channel a greater purpose or being. I found that the song was calming, even though my mind wandered a few times and I couldn't understand what was being said, the vibrations of the sound felt like they traveled into my inner being.
“Fearlessness is the first rung on the ladder of freedom.” -Swami Rama
My Practice is Courage | Day 4: What are limitations? Who decides that we can't or won't be able to do? The power is in our hands, we set our own limits, we create shortcomings.
The challenge
What would your life look like if you were fearless? How would it feel to overcome your inner voice that says “no”? Visualize this life of courage and write down what you see and feel. Be specific. Remember, to be effective, this meditation must be practiced with faith and without doubt.
Today's short meditation incorporated visualization- I visualized that I was in a rainforest as it's getting dark, I'm trying to get home, when I'm faced with a snake in my path. The snake, represents the limitation or fear we have in our lives- what we don't realize is that unless we face this obstacle, we won't be able to find out that this "snake" is actually just rope on a branch. It doesn't exist, it's just a figment of our imagination-fear.
“Peace Begins With Me. Truth Begins With Me. It doesn’t exist out there. It exists in here."
My Practice is Independence | Day 4: When will you take charge? Stop looking outwards for answers, look within yourself and trust that you are enough to lead your life in your own way.
The challenge
You are the guru. In embodying this, you must know and embody your own truth. After you practice this Independence meditation, and repeat the mantra “Peace begins with me, Truth begins with me” over and over, make the following declaration:
My truth is _____________________. Keep it simple. First thought. This is your truth.
Independence means finding truth and peace within yourself. The act of not needing others to tell you what you need to do or be- I am in charge of my own outcome and I know what is best for me. Realizing that you have so much control over something, that was thought to be unavoidable, is a blessing in disguise.
“I measure my success on how much fun I’m having!” -Gabrielle Bernstein
My Practice is Playful | Day 5: Lighthearted, full of wonder and fun..when did we lose these feelings and grow up? Why does being adults, mean we can no longer be playful?
The challenge
A child’s capacity for joy is enormous! Children are oozing curiosity, creativity and happiness. On the following pages, ask yourself:
• What are your favourite qualities in children that you wished you still embodied?
• How can you intentionally bring these favourite qualities into your own daily life?
• What would you need to do to make this happen?
Imagining that I was a child; running around, smiling and not having a care in the world- brings to my attention that so much has changed since then. My life consists of a constant "what's next" and living up to expectations. There is a permanent sense of worry, that I carry all the time- feeling wonder and having fun, that may just be what happiness is all about so why am I not concerned with that?
“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” -Liberty Hyde Bailey
My Practice is Thriving | Day 5: The power of the mind, can you manifest your dreams into reality? Have you tried?
The challenge
Listen to this meditation twice a week. When the meditation has finished, sit up and write down three things you can do until the next practice that will support your vision. Commit to this practice for thirty days. At the end of thirty days notice if you are bringing your dream to life. It really is all about thriving and cultivating your vision!
The mind is powerful! Through visualization, we can manifest our thoughts into reality- the good and the bad. By taking the time to imagine the life I desire, I am creating a guide towards achieving it; I know what I want, I can see it in my mind and I know how to get there.
“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how
good things really are.” -Marianne Williamson
My Practice is Joy | Day 6: We don't always have to be happy and put together, but we do need to know that these feelings come from within us. All we have to do is think about the things that make us feel joy, and watch as it radiates through your body.
The challenge
My Practice is Joy | Day 6: We don't always have to be happy and put together, but we do need to know that these feelings come from within us. All we have to do is think about the things that make us feel joy, and watch as it radiates through your body.
The challenge
Write 100 things that bring you joy. This is going to elevate your cellular structure; I promise! You are going to be sky high on joy! Next, circle the top 10 which are super easy for you to do in your life. Now write down how you can incorporate these 10 that bring you joy into your week.
As human beings, we like to complicate everything! What I have learned the past six days, is that we have so much control over our lives, emotions and outcomes. We are not bystanders in this life- I can choose to forgive and let go, and welcome joy and lightheartedness into my life.
“Everyday grace must be your reality, your norm.” -Yogi Bhajan
My Practice is Grace | Day 6: Grace is the love, light and kindness within us.
The challenge
In my everyday life, I need to _______________ in order to be open to grace. My commitment is to be open to grace. I am going to _______________ once every ________________ to open this space to grace for myself. When I am open to grace, I feel ____________________.
Though I didn't get much out of this particular meditation, I liked the incorporation of chakras- which are the centres of spiritual power in the human body. In total we have 7, my favourite and the one that resides the most with me is the 6th chakra- the third eye, the centre of intuition.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -John Fitzgerald Kennedy
My Practice is Gratitude | Day 7: Being grateful, showing gratitude and giving thanks is something so simple, yet we all tend to ignore these acts. Sometimes, we have been blessed with so much wealth- material and spiritual, that we feel entitled instead of gratitude.
The challenge
From now on, every time you sit down for a meal with friends ask everyone at the table to share three things they are grateful for. It is truly an amazing practice that is easily maintained. As long as you are eating food, you are practicing gratitude. Such an inspiring way to experience the power of gratitude!
In the coming months, I hope to keep a weekly meditation practice in my routine. Through this experience, I have been able to see things in a different light and feel a sense of ease- I have let go of negativity, trying to find the good in any situation. Gratitude, Worthiness, Playful & Courage - these are all messages and ways of life that I hope to incorporate daily.
xoxo,
Natalie
