A first year meditation client told me that she had stopped meditating for a few weeks while traveling on vacation. Her comment did not surprise me, however what was surprising to me was my response; I asked her why she started again?
“I could never give this up,” she replied. Over my years of teaching, I’ve heard many similar comments. What keeps her returning to the practice is the same allure that gets all of us.
Sitting down for Effortless Meditation is like coming back home at the end of the work day. Our meditation delivers us to a welcome oasis of peace and calm; and the great news is that it exists inside us. There’s nothing to strive for.
Stress: the black plague
Throughout the day, we’re all bombarded with so much information and demands. What’s often overlooked or is not understood, is that there’s a piece of us that goes with every encounter.
Workplace stress has been called the black plague of the 21st century by one of the largest HR firm’s in Europe.
Do you know anyone consumed by the hustle and bustle of daily life? Of course you do. This is hurry sickness. It’s an epidemic in the U.S., and it leads to sorrow, worry, anxiety, depression, anger, sleepless nights, fatigue, high blood pressure…
No one is immune. Many years ago, I was an Industrial Engineer working for a large food manufacturer. I carried a stop watch. My job was to help our workers be productive by finding more efficient ways for them to do their jobs. I created stress!
Not surprisingly, I took a lot of pressure home with me. But wasn’t this normal? It seemed that everyone I knew disliked or at best, complained about their job.
A dramatic turn took place when, in 1974, I learned to meditate. In the first week after starting a daily meditation practice, I noticed that I was looking forward to meditating at the end of the workday. Each meditation was taking my attention from my world filled with thoughts and tension to an experience of inner silence and peace. My teacher referred to this state as pure awareness.
The core or true self
There were times during meditation that I was awake and alert without thinking. My mind was calm and grounded, not distorted by thought. This is our core or true self, the essence of who we are. In this place, all is well, you are home.
I’ve continued to return to this sweet spot twice daily (10, 15 or 20 minutes in meditation) for the past 40+ years. It has changed my life in so many positive ways. I invite you to join me. Everyone who does has an exponentially more satisfying, fulfilling, and healthier life. Guaranteed.
