So…Did you meditate yesterday??!  How did it go?

Like I said yesterday, the most challenging part of a meditation practice is quieting the mind.  Our brains are on overdrive these days, and sometimes it’s hard not to think.  We’re constantly think of all the things we need to be doing, the bills that haven’t been paid, the grocery shopping that needs to be done, the phone calls with loved ones that still haven’t been made, etc, etc.  The list could go on and on.

If you have all of this (and more) going on in your head when you try to have that quiet time by yourself, then try some of these techniques.  They will help quiet the mind and bring your attention to the present.  We spend so much time either rehashing things we have already done or rehearsing things that haven’t been done that we lose focus on the here and now, the present moment, the only thing that truly exists.  Meditation helps us get in the NOW.

There are thousands of gurus and spiritual teachers out there who promote different mantras, prayers, and techniques for meditation.  But like I said yesterday, the most important thing is that you find what works for you.  Make up your own stuff if you want to.  Meditation is deeply personal, so go with the flow and do what’s natural and comfortable.  What I love about meditation is that it works with all religions and belief systems.  No matter what you believe in (or don’t, atheists can meditate, too!), meditation is a time for you to breathe and reflect on what’s important to you.  So when you’re coming up with mantras or affirmations or visuals to use during your meditation, just think about what makes you happy, what makes you feel fulfilled, and how you want your life to be – that simple.

Affirmations

I’ve discussed the power of using affirmations in the past, which you can read more about here to get caught up.  In essence, affirmations are statements that we repeat to ourselves that affirm who we want to be.  I am a carrier of the light, all that I think, say, and do expresses divinity.  I am a strong, creative, loving woman. Etc.

Meditation is the perfect time repeat your affirmations.  It’s what I do regularly.  So make yourself a list of who you want to be and what you want to bring into your life, and start repeating them every day during your meditation.

After you say each mediation, take a moment to consciously feel that affirmation – what does it feel like to be what you said you are?  Just stay there for a few moments and then move on, in joy.

Mantras

Most prevalent in the Hindu faith but also customary in Buddhism and other eastern religions, mantras are statements that are capable of “creating transformation” (thanks, Wikipedia).  Most Hindu gods have mantras that one would repeat when praying to or blessing them, and then there are traditional mantras that one would state when facing certain trials or challenges.  Basically, it’s a tool to think more highly and divinely.  Most stand out from affirmations in that they focus on the linguistic as well as auditory aspects of the mantra.  Think of the traditional “Om” that characterizes the stereotypical visual of meditation.  It’s the idea of repeating something and creating a certain sound vibration that helps you connect into the higher frequencies of thought and reality.

There are hundreds of mantras out there, some are simply the repetition of a god’s name or even just a syllable like the popular “Om”.  Most are usually repeated 108 times (the number of prayer beads on a traditional Hindu mala).  A widely used mantra for healing and enlightenment is “Om Mani Padme Hum“.  There’s even a youtube video that repeats it you can listen to while you meditate.

Visuals

This is a time to have fun during your meditation.  Everyone loves to day dream, and recents studies are showing us just how powerful our thoughts and brains are.  So use your meditation time as a chance to daydream about your desires.

Are you fretting about some things in life?  Take some time to visualize the situation going smoothly and perfectly.  Visualize some BIG miracles happening, joy-filled miracles.  Missing or thinking about a loved one?  Visualize the next time you’ll see them.  Feel yourself giving them a hug and see their smile.  On the job hunt?  Picture getting a magical call from someone wanting to interview you for your dream position.

We are powerful beyond measure.  What we think, we become.  All great masters have been telling us so.  It’s time for us to finally believe it.

There’s this quote I got from a Daily Word last year that says: “Do not imagine disastrous scenarios.  Visualize what you want to happen, and allow your thoughts to dwell on that, in peace.”  We spend so much time stressing and worrying about future events, thinking of all the things that could go wrong, that we end up manifesting those unfortunate events into our lives.  So let’s not do that anymore. 😉

Daydream about your desires.  Picture your perfect life.

Your meditation is a time for you to regain your balance, remember who you are, and create what you want.  

So sit up straight, breathe in that beautiful air, and remember who you are and what you can do.