~With all that’s been going on in the world (natural disasters, terrorism, the US election, etc), the world is in need of some TLC. A ‘chill pill’ if you will. Since I can’t offer any prescription medications, I can offer this: meditation. The ancient yogis of India and Bali knew they were on to something good, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Meditation is the quieting of the mind that brings forth a sense of peace, calm and serenity to become one with the present moment. As a person who battles with anxiety, it is a great way to get my mind on the right track at the start of my day and a great decompressor at the end of the day. I describe my mind like a hamster on a wheel. When I’m happy/calm/focused, the hamster idly trots along the wheel. When anxious/sad/angry/having a panic attack, that hamster injected himself with steroids and is running so hard and so fast the wheel threatens to come apart. However, during meditation, the hamster slows to a crawl and closes his eyes in a dream-like state with a line of drool coming out of its mouth. Haha pretty creative right?!
I try to meditate at least once a day in the morning. I open my curtains to reveal the bright morning light and face in its direction. I usually meditate kneeling sitting on my feet, but if that is uncomfortable you can always sit crossed legged or with your feet out in front of you. I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths and attempt to cast off any negative or anxious thoughts. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. Occasionally I get too focused on what’s going on inside my head and I can’t tune it out, like a really staticy radio.
Also in my discovery of mediation I’m learning about chakras, the energy systems that guide us toward the greater good and enlightenment. I actually picked up a book from my yoga studio about chakras and it’s very fascinating. Right now I’m learning about the third (fire) chakra, where most of the body’s energy is stored (in the stomach).
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power. -Lao Tzu
To better connect towards opening my chakras and to deepen meditation, I made clay chakra stones. In my spare time I like to dabble in clay, and seeing that I had over a pound to work with, why not? I started be making each stone the same thickness (or similar), next carving the Sanskrit symbol into each. I actually used a toothpick to carve them since I did not have any fine clay carving tools on hand. The designs were so detailed and intricate that I was for sure thinking I was going to butcher it, but they actually turned out great! After all the designs were carved, the stones baked in the oven at 275 for 15 minutes. Once cooled they were painted with their respective colors and voila!
So if everyone in the world, all some billion of them, took 5 minutes out of their days to calm their minds and cast away their thoughts & fears, the world might just be a better place to live and love.
Breathe deeply, love freely ❤
The Garden Goddess 