Surrender to the Season

Surrender to the Season

Mindful Sleeping

“This is the season of dropping the old and surrendering to what is.  From the trees, we learn how to let go during the season, how to surrender.  Trees are not attached to any leaf.  …they give their luxurious leaves to Mother Earth and go within deep meditation. “ ~ Vasant Lad

As we say good-bye to the end of autumn and welcome the chilly breezes of winter, we, too, must prepare ourselves for the upcoming holiday season.

RELEASE: Ask yourself, “What am I still holding onto this year?”  Are you still wondering why you didn’t get a raise, or why your friend hasn’t apologized?  It doesn’t matter.  It was in the past, and we have to learn to let it go.  Holding onto emotions such as guilt, anger and fear will manifest in our system as future disease and conflict.

REFLECT: Just as Mother Nature takes a long nap during winter, it’s also a great time for us to go deep within our self.  Dedicate 5 minutes (or more if you have time) to a meditation practice such as SoHum.  After a week of practice, allow the silence to speak to you.  What makes you happy? What are you grateful to have in your life?  How can you channel these people and experiences to affect your overall perspective of life?

Surrendering to fall and our life as it is brings about new opportunities we might have missed.  Take a deep breath, and enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with your neurotic, yet loving family.  Indulge in the happiness of spending time together.

Practicing Gratitude

Practicing Gratitude

A Daily Meditation

Gobble, gobble. It’s Thanksgiving time again.  Just as the holiday’s name suggests, it’s a time to give thanks.  But what about the other 364 days of the year?

Being thankful everyday is hard work.  Life happens.  We experience the highs and lows each day presents to us – a last minute meeting causing us to work late on a Friday, or a friend announcing she’s getting hitched.  We switch into a survival like mode and try to make it to Saturday forgetting about all the good times.

A consistent yoga and meditation practice can help mellow out the week’s emotional roller coaster and bring to light the things you are most grateful for.  This month, commit to creating a gratitude list then meditating with it each day.

Let’s get started.  Write down the people, experiences, feelings, etc. you are thankful to have in your life.  For example, I am thankful to have the time and energy to practice yoga everyday.  I am also grateful to have the strength to have a difficult conversation with a loved one.

Bring your list to your meditation seat (mat, blanket, recliner, etc.).  Read over the list taking in one full breath per each one.  Allow each item to fill your heart with emotion.  Once you finish the list, close your eyes, and gently rest in gratitude.

Continue to add one thing to your list every day, 365 days a year.  Practicing gratitude helps us feel less envious because we are content with what we have.  We are more comfortable to live within our means, and we may even find we are more generous with our time and energy.

It only takes a moment to say ‘thank you.’  Start today.