So far this May we have experienced many shifts in the weather, sunny, hot, chilly, cold, rain, wind, tornado warnings, hale, etc. In Crofton, we have had just about every type of weather other than snow this past week.
Tuesday evening the rain was pouring down and then in a blink of an eye, things shifted to bright sunny skies and a rainbow appeared right out in front of the studio. I was thankful a friend walked in and let me know to go out and look at it.
The moment just prior to me hearing about the rainbow I was struggling deep in thoughts that were not so pleasant and mostly full of what-ifs….. Our minds and thoughts can feel like raging storms or dark clouds at times, and other times like a joyful sunny day or seeing a rainbow.
Pema Chodron says “You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather.” I love this quote because it reminds me of meditation and all the metaphors the ancient yogis would use to describe their meditation experiences.
Meditation can help us to remember we are the sky steady and present the rest is just weather. Meditation can help by allowing us to travel up above the clouds (thoughts) on dark days, and observe the stormy weather from a better vantage point.
It is work to sit down and move beyond the thoughts. It is a change of mindset and the mind tries to fight back. I hate to break it to you meditation is not all Zen, butterflies, and rainbows however it is a great tool to help find your way back through all the stormy thoughts to the present moment where happiness can be found.
Meditation is a PRACTICE it takes dedication and consistency to work. We all want it to be the easy button where we sit for a few minutes and then all is better 5 min later but that is not honest.
Focusing your attention on something, like the breathe, helps to restrain the mind to a single focus, and with enough practice, it becomes easier to move beyond the thoughts.
This week try giving yourself the gift of developing a meditation practice.
Start by setting a time goal maybe 5 min each day to clear the mind and be the sky.
Set a timer find a comfortable place to sit tall.
Begin by watching your body breathe in and out and repeat this quote from Thich Nhat Hahn~ “Feelings come and go conscious breathing is my anchor.”
Want to be lead in this technique? Join our free Monday Meditation group 5-5:30pm via zoom.
Till next week~ make it a GREAT week on PURPOSE! Jai Bhagwan, Namaste,
Kim & Steve