My good friend and fellow RSDer, Franci, asked me to elaborate on #14 of My Top Tips for Happiness in Illness (and Healing). Please, if you enjoy this and would like me to discuss any of the others in depth, I would be honored. I find a lot of my readers prefer to e-mail me privately, so feel free!
14. Meditate/Pray: Quieting the mind is one of the most difficult practices I have come across in my illness evolution, but when you do, you tap into your core self and your higher power. Take time to slow your breathing and your mind. “As within, so without.”
If there is one aspect of healing I need to practice, meditation is it. I have been a product of my environment, leading with my intelligent, analytical mind, running from here to there, chasing one goal after the other... But if you live long or honestly enough, your life will find a way to humble you, to expose your flaws, and to teach you humility.
When I attempted meditation for the first time two years ago, I realized just how far I needed to come to improve my quality of life. "WOW," I thought. "I think this much?!" While I showered, while I ate, while I attempted to fall asleep, while I talked to others, my mind was constantly racing, and I had NO IDEA! Once I attempted to quiet my mind, I realized my mental chatter was far greater and far more negative than I had ever anticipated.
Meditation and prayer allow you to either quiet your mind or to put that mental energy into a positive focus, such as an affirmation. Here is a great website on the "how to's" of meditation. There is breath, walking, standing, chanting, amongst many other types of meditation, so if one doesn't work for you, don't get discouraged. Start small with five minutes a day and work up to longer periods of zen.
To me, prayer is focused meditation. Pray from your heart, not from a memorized poem that we often disconnect from when reciting. Talk to your spirit guides and angels, and ask them for guidance. Surrender and you will see their signs.
Questions? Comments?
Lynn, my parents, and I are doing another guided meditation in a half hour. The last one was such a success! Wish us luck!
Lynn, my parents, and I are doing another guided meditation in a half hour. The last one was such a success! Wish us luck!
Happy Healing!
No comments:
Post a Comment