Hello Self!

This past weekend I finished my third free mindfulness meditation class.  It’s been invigorating, although carrying the practice to home is um, er, eek.  A struggle.  I am still determined to make meditation part of my daily routine and every week I pick up more cool tips that I know will bring me there eventually.

Last week’s class focused on the breath.  How often do you go about your day and ever stop to think, hey, I’m breathing!  Your breath goes on without conscious thought or effort.  When you think about your breath, it is an exercise in presence.  You are presently noticing your breath.  Meditation is the art of focus.  When you make a conscious effort to focus on something, you are effectively meditating.  You are present in the moment and your mind is free from clutter.  If you have 5 minutes, close your eyes or bring them to a low gaze.  Breath in and out slowly and bring your mind to concentrate on the inhalation and exhalation.  How it feels.  Feel it fill up your chest, then bring your breath down into your belly and release it.  If your mind wanders, OK.  It happens.  Meditation takes practice like everything else.

This week we brought that focus to our bodies.  Mindfulness is knowing what you are doing, while you are doing it.  Acknowledge the truth of the moment.  An effective and powerful healing practice is the body scan.  It is best to start with a guided body scan, which you can find for free here.  The importance of the body scan is to openly acknowledge your body and how it feels. Remember what I just mentioned about stopping during your day to acknowledge your breath?  Our bodies need this too.  If you have chronic pain, headaches, or get sick frequently this practice is definitely for you.  Your body is telling you something.  Stop and listen to it.  Bring your focus to your ailments.  Allow the mind to relax while you acknowledge the pain.  When we allow our minds to relax we activate the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for healing, regeneration, rebuilding.  It balances the fight & flight response of our sympathetic nervous system.  In our busy lives, we sometimes don’t allow ourselves enough time for rest and relaxation and happiness.  This is when illness creeps in.

In my first post on mindfulness meditation I cited UCLA’s free guided meditations.  UC San Diego Health also has several mindfulness based stress reduction guided meditations here.

Our children have winter break this week, so I decided to take vacation to spend time with my kids at home.  For myself, I wanted to be present in fun activities with them without the interruption of work & chores & schedules but I also wanted to spend some time being present for just me.  I’ve been practicing noticing my breath, I did a 20 minute meditation during nap time three days in a row so far and will try a body scan while drifting off to sleep tonight.  Another fabulous benefit of the body scan: deep, restful sleep.  By making a conscious effort for myself this week, I am confident I will crave this attention when our schedule goes back into full swing on Monday.  The beginning of a wonderful HABIT!

So, curiously, when you meditate and focus on your breath or your body, you might say, “Oh hello self!”  A magic awakening of ourselves that so easily gets ignored in this race we call life.  And with regular meditation practice, I am excited to see myself unfold.

197 Comments

  36. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!|

  96. This is the best blog site for any individual that wants to discover this topic. You recognize so much its virtually difficult to argue with you (not that I in fact would want?HaHa). You definitely placed a new spin on a topic thats been written about for many years. Terrific stuff, just excellent!

  99. I found your blog website on google and inspect a few of your early posts. Remain to maintain the great run. I simply added up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Visitor. Seeking forward to learning more from you in the future!?

  100. An outstanding share, I simply given this onto a coworker that was doing a little analysis on this. As well as he actually acquired me breakfast due to the fact that I discovered it for him. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the moment to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it as well as like finding out more on this topic. Ideally, as you become competence, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is very handy for me. Huge thumb up for this post!

  105. Nice post. I learn something a lot more difficult on different blogs everyday. It will constantly be boosting to read material from other writers and also practice a little something from their store. I?d like to use some with the content on my blog site whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll provide you a link on your internet blog site. Thanks for sharing.

  111. Can I just state what an alleviation to locate a person who actually understands what theyre discussing online. You absolutely recognize how to bring a problem to light and also make it vital. Even more individuals require to read this and comprehend this side of the tale. I angle think youre not more preferred because you definitely have the gift.

  113. Can I just claim what a relief to locate a person that actually recognizes what theyre talking about online. You absolutely recognize how to bring a problem to light and also make it crucial. More people require to read this and comprehend this side of the story. I cant believe youre not much more popular since you most definitely have the gift.

  125. When I originally commented I clicked the -Inform me when brand-new remarks are included- checkbox and also currently each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same remark. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!

  141. Oh my goodness! an impressive article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I am experiencing problem with ur rss. Don?t recognize why Unable to register for it. Is there anybody getting identical rss issue? Anyone that understands kindly respond. Thnkx

  147. An excellent share, I simply offered this onto an associate that was doing a little analysis on this. And he actually bought me morning meal since I found it for him. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the reward! But yeah Thnkx for spending the moment to review this, I really feel strongly about it as well as like learning more on this topic. Ideally, as you come to be proficiency, would certainly you mind upgrading your blog site with even more information? It is extremely helpful for me. Big thumb up for this article!

  148. There are some interesting points in this short article but I don?t know if I see every one of them facility to heart. There is some credibility however I will certainly hold opinion till I check into it further. Good short article, many thanks and we want much more! Included in FeedBurner also

  150. The following time I read a blog, I wish that it does not disappoint me as much as this. I imply, I know it was my option to read, however I actually assumed youd have something intriguing to say. All I hear is a bunch of grumbling concerning something that you could fix if you werent also hectic seeking interest.

  152. Good article. I discover something a lot more tough on various blogs daily. It will certainly always be stimulating to check out content from various other authors as well as practice a little something from their store. I?d choose to utilize some with the web content on my blog site whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll give you a web link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

  154. Wonderful blog post. I discover something much more difficult on various blogs daily. It will always be stimulating to read content from various other writers and also exercise a little something from their store. I?d choose to use some with the content on my blog site whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll offer you a web link on your web blog site. Thanks for sharing.

  164. An excellent share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little evaluation on this. And he actually bought me morning meal due to the fact that I located it for him. smile. So let me rephrase that: Thnx for the treat! Yet yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly regarding it as well as like reading more on this subject. Preferably, as you end up being knowledge, would certainly you mind upgrading your blog site with even more information? It is highly handy for me. Large thumb up for this blog post!

  166. After research study a few of the article on your website now, and I really like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list as well as will certainly be examining back quickly. Pls check out my internet site too and let me recognize what you think.

  178. Youre so amazing! I don’t intend Ive read anything like this before. So good to locate somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this site is something that is required on the internet, somebody with a little creativity. helpful work for bringing something new to the net!

  181. Youre so trendy! I don’t expect Ive read anything similar to this before. So good to find someone with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is something that is needed online, someone with a little originality. useful work for bringing something brand-new to the web!

  182. When I originally commented I clicked the -Inform me when brand-new remarks are included- checkbox as well as currently each time a remark is added I get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that solution? Many thanks!

  188. The next time I check out a blog site, I really hope that it does not disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I know it was my choice to review, but I really thought youd have something intriguing to state. All I listen to is a lot of whining about something that you can repair if you werent as well hectic searching for focus.

  190. I?d have to consult you right here. Which is not something I generally do! I take pleasure in reading a message that will make individuals assume. Likewise, many thanks for enabling me to comment!

Comments are closed.