Quiet Time Equals Soul Time
Recently for the New Year I wanted to do something positive for myself and decided to once again sign up for an 8-week group meditation class. It’s a chance to be committed to my meditation and I know that it will be my quiet time, which will be time with my soul. For many of us, meditation conjures up images of a guru chanting from the top of a mountain, or a monk sitting in quiet solitude in a sacred temple, surrounded by incense smoke floating in the air.
Others believe that meditation is as simple as closing one’s eyes and going into a trance, or at the most basic level, that you only need to let your mind go totally blank to enter some meditative state. What’s more achievable and realistic, is that you can train yourself to watch your thoughts come in, and go right out again through your mind, a bit like flowing water. Soon, these same thoughts will lose their power to influence your conscious mind.
Meditation is merely a state of being, in which the active mind slows down. Meditation can bring us to a place where we aim to silence the mental chatter. By doing so, we become increasingly aware of the subtle shifting energies within us. To develop your psychic/intuitive guidance system, it’s essential that you learn to enter, and feel comfortable with the silence within. Meditation is a vital part of your development process to improve these skills. It’s fine to read about meditation, but to put it simply … you just have to do it!
It’s possible to enter into a state of meditation when you consciously focus your mind on a single point. Some people find that using a mandala (those beautiful images of visual symbols that draw you in) helpful, while others visualize images such as: a flower, a beautiful landscape scene or a spiritual guide. I also know people who prefer continuously chanting, using a single word or sound.
Whatever method you choose, with steady practice and commitment, you’ll steadily train your mind to become calm, to be still. This will foster a sense of well-being that can have tangible benefits in all areas of your life. If you believe you can’t meditate, it’s quite likely that you’ve already done it without even realizing. For example, meditation happens when artists become so absorbed in their work, they totally lose themselves in their own creativity. You will often hear someone say, “I just zoned out.” Have you ever had that sensation of time just slipping by without even realizing it? What’s really happening is that you most likely crossed over into a state of meditation.
John’s Lesson
We live in a world where so many of us strive to earn more, to get better jobs, to buy newer cars and to get all the other material things which we believe we need to feel good. This is all fair and well, but it’s not the ultimate answer. It’s my belief that above all, it’s important to continually feed your soul. When you’re constantly reaching outwards to achieve more and more, it’s easy to slip farther and farther away from the spark or your life force. Yes, I’m referring to your spirit, but for now, you can call it whatever you want.
I find that meditation is a great way for me to look at a problem or situation instead of being in it. It’s a chance to stand back, view the issue through new eyes and with a renewed appreciation, and see where the changes can be made for a healthier or beneficial outcome.
People are finding it harder to find answers from the outside material world, so they’re starting to look for the answers from within. When the outside world becomes so hectic, so stressful that your anxiety starts to overwhelm you – stop and ask yourself, “When was the last time I checked in with myself?” If we’re going to survive, then we must learn to pull back from the stresses and strains of daily life and make time to seek out that inner place of silence, calmness and peace. Meditation can do that for us.
It can also produce many health benefits, which I call the extra benefit. For instance, the sense of relaxation and calmness that results from meditating can enhance the immune system of the body, as well as reducing blood pressure, and promote healing. It can increase your physical energy as well as your overall well-being.
Now, here’s the reality check. You may have the best intention to start or pick up once again your meditation practice, but life will throw up all the hurdles to try and stop you. This has happened to me also many times! That’s when you have to make an extra effort to be committed and devote the time. Aren’t you worth it?
To start off with, and to get into the mind-set, I suggest you start by meditating the same time every day, whenever you feel is the best time for you. Personally, I prefer mornings before I start work. This way, I approach the day calm, centered, and ready to take on the rest of day with a sense of awareness, clarity, and vitality.
Even when life continues to pull you away from doing your meditation, keep at it, at least for 7 days. Hopefully, once you’ve settled into a routine, you’ll continue meditating for the rest of your life, and wonder why you waited for so long. Start with 15 minutes each day and if you are new to meditation – then just simply count your breaths 1 through 10, and then start over again. I list other meditations in my book, Psychic Navigator. Soon, you will learn to increase the length of your meditation and ultimately, you will look forward to that special time with yourself and your soul.
Live a Soul-filled life!
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About the Author
John Holland is an American artist, best-selling author, spiritual teacher, and public speaker, who describes himself as a psychic medium. johnholland.com
