Life in the big city can be quite overwhelming sometimes. When we keep moving so fast for so long it’s so easy to loose our way. We start to loose our grounding and we forget why we are doing what we are doing. I have found it extremely important to spend some quiet time with myself to reconnect and to reflect on my motivation for doing things. For me this means coming back to a place where I can feel grounded, balanced, compassionate and open. Often not easy to do! Here are exercises that I have found very helpful. I hope they can bring you moments of peace.
Find a place of refuge. This can be a corner in your home where you have a little table with a special object or picture. Or this can be at a particular location i.e. a temple, by the lake, at your cottage. Once you identify this place you can go to it or imagine it in your mind’s eye in a moment of need.
Another suggestion is to try this meditation exercise. It’s called the Let Go Breath. This is an introductory practice that I have learned and taught at Friends of the Heart Meditation Centre.
The first part of this exercise is focusing on letting go of body and this is what I would recommend trying. Letting go of body means consciously letting go of any tension, tightness, etc in the body. You are encouraging the body to relax and be present. You begin by putting yourself in a comfortable posture whether it’s sitting down on a chair or on the ground or lying down. The important thing to remember is to keep your back straight but still relaxed. You breathe in naturally feeling your breath travel through your nostrils and on your exhale you use your breath to help relax your body. On the exhale you think “I let go of body” and really feel your body let go. It’s also helpful to start at your head and work your way down to your feet. You can direct your breath to the different parts of the body that need loosening and relaxing. It’s important to be gentle with yourself and if you catch your mind wandering gently bring it back to the breath thinking “never mind” and back to letting go of body.
I have received enormous benefit from meditation but it’s not appropriate for everyone. Please always use your body as a checking point to decide whether this is suitable for you and if it feels right.
For more information please see www.friendsoftheheart.com.