Every time I bring up meditation many people laugh. Obviously, it is because they do not understand and do not want to begin to try. This is their good old ego popping in to say hello. If I tell someone I meditate, I tend to get 3 common responses: 1.) is to make fun of me and say something absurd, 2.) a person becomes extremely uncomfortable and doesn’t know how to react or 3.) they are really interested in what I am saying, want to know more or understand the value of this daily ritual.
I love when I hear, “I’m too busy” “I don’t have time to meditate” “It’s so difficult” and a personal favorite, “That’s how you meditate? It sounds scary”–I’m sorry to ruin the idea many people have in their heads, but meditation does not take up that much time. It is also not even close to being difficult or scary. Besides, like anything else that is important in life, you MAKE time for it, whatever it is. No excuses dear friends. That’s your ego.
Please understand, I am not claiming to be a meditation master. I am far from it (being human and all.) I am not claiming to be anything. I say this because people seem to label me as being superior or “know it all” when I talk about spiritual matters, this includes meditation.
What people do not see is that it takes WORK and DISCIPLINE. This is a way of life for me. I am dedicated and take it very seriously. When I fall I get up, dust myself off, and start over all again. It happens. But I am committed to my growth, my strength, my healing, my journey.
I will tell you something I know to be scary….being outside your own energy. Yikes. This has happened to me many times. The ego is sneaky. It will try to control and take you over. REAL YOU. You have to stabilize and manage your energy. I promise it will save you. It will keep the inner peace and calm from ever being disrupted by an outside force. The ego wants you to think it is all mighty and powerful, but it isn’t. It is secretly envious of the inner strength you have and never wants you to know it is there.
I have to meditate everyday if I want to stay centered. If necessary, a few times a day. When all this first came about, I didn’t think I would need to make it an everyday routine. As it slowly progressed, I noticed I had to meditate to stay in one piece or I would be all over the place. Believe me, it is not comfortable. I would pick up all kinds of things, feeling restless, my mind twirling in every which way. No thanks.
My ego would fight it sometimes because I didn’t choose this, so why do I have to? But it is what it is. Now it is a part of my life and I will never go back. It is a incredible tool I use to protect my energy and I cannot imagine not using meditation. If I become destabilized I notice a huge difference. At times I am shocked and embarrassed, but it can and does happen.
We are so distracted by this world, we forget to look within, to look inside for the answers. Most can’t begin to wrap their brain around this. They think it’s impossible because it is so simple. It doesn’t require anything, just you. And that dear ones, is bigger than any material possession.
It is connection to the universe. A Oneness. A complete feeling that can never be taken away no matter what the world throws at you. No words can explain or describe it. You have to experience it to know it’s possible. People don’t understand, but that is the irony because there is nothing to understand. It has nothing to do with understanding a thought or concept. It is all about inner knowing, feeling, and BEING. The serenity you achieve is beyond words. Meditation brings you back home where you; your SOUL belongs. A place where you are content. Nothing can touch you and everything is still.
I’d like to share a quote from a Zen Master that rings true to what I am trying to express.
“The practice of meditation is not a method for the attainment of realization–it is enlightenment itself. To actualize the blessedness of meditation you should practice with pure intention and firm determination….Do not dwell on thoughts of good or bad. Just relax and forget you are meditating. Many thoughts with crowd into your mind, ignore them, letting them go. If they persist be aware of them with the awareness which does not think. In other words, think non-thinking. [Meditation]…is a peacefulness and blessedness itself. It is the actualization of truth and wisdom.”
I also would love to share this Meditation on the Strength card from the book, “Magical Tarot, Mystical Tao.”
“Knowing others is knowledge. Understanding oneself is wisdom. Overcoming others requires force. Mastering oneself requires strength. One who knows when he has enough is rich indeed. One who keeps to the path is strong. One who maintains his place is enduring. To live in the moment is to live without death.”
The ego is a tricky little demon. I know, trust me! We all have them. Even after all this time it will still present itself. It will try to assert it’s dominance, control and other things. That’s why it takes work. The real you knows this and every once in a while it has to tame the beast. Don’t let it take away your power and peace, it’s just jealous.
Same problem — same excuses. I think I’ll finally go and meditate.