I’d had some experience with Transcendental Meditation ™ when I was 20. I was given a mantra, whispered in my ear and told never to share this sacred sound with anyone. I never have and even to this day, my mantra is secret.
They say the teacher will come when the student is ready. Imagine my surprise to discover a brand new Transcendental Meditation ™ Peace Palace had recently opened in my neighbourhood. Before the dust could settle on the New Year (2018), I'd organised an appointment to check my meditation practice.
It was a wonderfully sunny day in early January when I arrived at the Peace Palace, designed by architects to maximize the light, with a central atrium bathed in natural sunlight.
I was asked to take off my shoes and led to one of the practice rooms.
I was told to close my eyes, "thoughts come easily, right?"
"Yes", I said.
Close your eyes I was instructed, "repeat your mantra silently. Easy right"?
"Yes", I said.
And that was how I got back into Transcendental Meditation, with no effort at all. I’ve been practising every morning for 20 minutes and it feels good. Often my monkey brain jumps all over the place, going from one conversation to another, flying off at tangents, falling down rabbit holes but I’m always grateful that I make time to practice.
Before practising, I go through the ritual of lighting a candle and sitting with my legs crossed. I set my intention to practice for 20 minutes.
Meditating feels like magic during those times when I feel a deep connection with myself. Other times the thoughts that pop up during my meditation will trigger tears to fall. I just let them roll down my cheeks. Those tears wash away my sadness and heal me.
It’s now the start of 2019 and I’ve been practising for a year, just once a day but consistently unless I've been travelling which makes routines hard manage.
Why Is Meditating Good For Me?
It's my place to be emotional and let my tears flow
I love connecting with my other than conscious mind
It's a space to relax and let go of muscle tension
It can also be a time when new ideas come to me
When I meditate I feel like I’m off the grid and can’t be reached
I always feel a sense of achievement after the practice
If you’re interested in learning meditation, my friend Annya has some brilliant free resources on the Wisdom Mind website.
There are plenty of meditation apps teaching meditation too. I like this one created by Sam Harris, Waking Up Podcast
Contact the Peace Palace to find out when the next TM class will be.
For me meditation is all about stopping, focusing on nothing letting go and feeling refreshed.
Give it a Try
Anyone else meditate? What practice do you use?
#MyPrelovedLife : 11/1/19