We’ve become such a left-brained society that we are totally off-balance. Our school systems focus far more on developing our intellect than our creativity.

 

Intuition, when I was a kid, was still something that you got ridiculed for even mentioning! The result after 12 years of this is a whole lot of lop-sided humans!

 

And if you go to university, it just gets worse. Education, as it is practiced here in the West, tends to develop the ego, which is just what we need to let go of if we want to be happy.

 

Change is happening and I think we can all see it these days. The effects of lop-sided living have taken their toll, and all over the place, people are trying new things in the hopes of feeling more balanced.

 

Meditation is one of the most powerful ways I know of for balancing our brains. Simply by breathing consciously, we move beyond the limited intellect and connect with the wisdom of intuition.

 

When we meditate on a problem, instead of just thinking about it, we find solutions that we would never have imagined. That’s because the intellect cannot access these solutions. They don’t live in ego.

 

Next time you have a decision to make or an issue you don’t know how to handle, try meditating instead of thinking. You might not get an answer right then and there, but you’ll open the channels.

 

Very often in my life, it has not been in the meditation itself but while doing some rote activity (like washing dishes) a half hour later that I received sudden insights into what seemed to be complex issues. Often these insights were life changing.

 

The key then, is to actually trust them enough to act on them. I have learnt to do this and my wonderful life is the result. I not only feel balanced, happy, at peace and grateful – I actually feel excited about my life almost every day!

 

Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

 

I am often asked for my opinion on whether things like jogging, walking, journalling etc. could be considered meditation.

 

I can only offer my personal experience on this. I think there is no authority higher than your own inner wisdom, so you need to find that answer yourself.

 

But for what it’s worth, here’s mine:

 

In times when meditation was more difficult for me, I recall that going for walks in a nearby forest was a very uplifting and calming thing to do when I was not feeling well. I would not take a walkman (there were no iPods then!) or anything to distract me – and I always went alone.

 

Since I was already practicing yoga and meditation (just not every day) I understood the importance of focusing on my breath, and would do so as I walked. I did my best to really take in the grounding energy of the strong old trees and the expanding energy of the sky, the calming energy of the ground beneath my feet and the love I would feel from all the little life forms around me.

 

In short, I was walking mindfully – present in the moment and aware of myself (as if I were watching myself walk through the forest). And every single time I did this, it brought me a feeling of peace and even trust, that everything was going to be okay.

 

Now if I compare this feeling with the feelings I’ve experienced in sitting meditation (or lying down), I have to say that overall, the depths of insight and the highs of bliss that I’ve attained in sitting meditation, were not achieved in walking.

 

That doesn’t mean that every sitting meditation is “better” than every walking meditation. There are always exceptions. But this was my overall experience, so I logically chose to dedicate myself more to sitting meditation.

 

What I’ve found in the past, however, was that following my meditation, when I was going about household tasks, I would have sudden moments of insight – and I mean the life-changing kind!

 

The same thing would happen with journalling – and I think it can happen while jogging, walking, fishing, cooking or any number of other activities.

 

These insights can come to us in moments when we are not thinking too much (ie not trying to figure out our taxes!) but simply doing some routine activity. (right brain stuff)

 

There are no rules about this and people who’ve never meditated in their lives can experience sudden moments of deep peace or profound insight.

 

But they likely won’t last and in some cases, might even go unnoticed.

 

My experience has been the following: The more I meditate, the more I feel guidance in every aspect of my life – and it lasts. I feel that meditation has opened me in a way that makes it easier to recognize this guidance, and it always leads me to a feeling of peace. The guidance can come whenever, but it was the meditation that opened the door.

 

I can be mindful throughout my day with or without a formal meditation, but I find it easier to feel and follow my inner guidance when I’ve started the day (or ended the last one) with a meditation – even a short one.

 

So, I suppose my answer would be, yes, walking can also be meditation – if it’s done meditatively. As can anything else.  But for me personally, these are wonderful additions to compliment my practice – not to replace it.

I encourage you to do whatever works for you; whatever helps you to calm your mind and get in touch with your higher self. The main thing is to do something to connect with your inner wisdom – the unfolding of your path will always follow.

 

And if for you, like for me, that includes sitting meditation, you’ll know it. I would love to hear from others – what works best for you? Perhaps in sharing, you’ll be able to encourage someone else in their search.

 

 

 

 

Deepak Chopra tells us that, that which we call “coincidence” is actually the Universe giving us clues as to what it has in store for us. He continues on to say that the meaning of a coincidence is not universal; its meaning may only be perceived by the one person it was intended for. So of course, when we follow our intuitive voice and claim the significance of what others see as a merely random occurance, we once again run the risk of appearing ridiculous.

 

In my first year back in Canada (after 17 years abroad), when spring came and the snow began to melt, my then 6-year old son and I seemed to be finding coins everywhere. At that time I had no employment and not even an idea as to what I was supposed to be doing with my life. I was meditating daily and that gave me the strength and faith to stay on my path, even though I could barely see it.

 

Needless to say, money was not in abundance at the time.

 

Some little voice inside me said that finding this many coins was something of significance. I simply could not walk past a coin without stopping to pick it up and say thank you to the Universe, and my son did the same (children are far more able than adults to see the mystical and magical side of life).

 

It seemed that every single day for at least 2 weeks straight, we were finding pennies, nickels, dimes and even quarters all over the place. We were excited by this; took it to be a promise of an abundant future.

 

When a coincidence is accepted as a sign of some larger plan, it is often called “synchronicity.” The more we acknowledge events as synchronicity rather than write them off as random and meaningless, the more often they occur. (part of the law of attraction)

 

I couldn’t contain my excitement one evening at a family dinner and spoke of finding the coins as a “miracle.” The ones who’ve known us the longest often seem to be the ones who most resist accepting who we are becoming on our spiritual path. My siblings mocked and ridiculed me, claiming that they constantly find money and that it was nothing special. This saddened and hurt me at the time.

 

But today, I must say, their words have lost their sting. Not only has my financial situation changed substantially – simply through teaching meditation and offering reiki (which seems miraculous in itself!) – but there has never again been a spring season during which my son and I found even half of the amount of coins that we had that first one, 7 years ago!

 

It truly was a promise at the time and that promise has come true.

 

It’s a lot easier to let people laugh at you when you know – really know deep inside – that what you are feeling is true. Experiences like this have strengthened my faith – in fact I would have to call it “knowing” rather than faith at this point – that I am most certainly not alone in this life and the One who accompanies me truly wants me to live a joy-filled and abundant life.

 

And the same is desired for you. I encourage you to seek the magical in the smallest of circumstances and in doing so, invite the Divine into your life. Even just a 2 minute meditation each day will do, to help you be more open to this.

 

Appreciate running into the very person you needed to speak with that day; opening your book to the very topic that has been on your mind… stop and pick up the penny on the sidewalk and say thank you to the Universe.

 

Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks of you. Life is too short to limit yourself because of the opinions of others (who, by the way, are limiting themselves because of what you might think of them!).

 

Free yourself to believe in the magical; open your eyes to the clues of the Universe and prepare yourself for a life full of miracles!

 

 

There’s something in the air… do you feel it?

 

More and more people are noticing a “shift” that is taking place. The human species is evolving and it’s about time. After years of capitalist consumerism, competition, violence and destruction, I think we all agree that a change is necessary.

A few years ago, during a group meditation, I got the very clear message that it would be WOMEN who would take the lead in this shift.

 

At that time, I was teaching meditation and offering reiki treatments/workshops for a living and feeling like quite an odd bird in our society of goal-driven and ambitious entrepreneurs. Not too many people were interested in meditation back then, but I just kept on offering it, as I felt that that was what I was supposed to be doing.

 

Today, the size of my groups has increased exponentially and my CD’s (Everyone can meditate – for beginners) continue to sell steadily. Interest in meditation is growing.

 

Feel the shift?

 

One day, about a year and a half ago, I got a call from Carol. She had started up a women’s group called “Happy Monkeys Club” and wanted me to join as the meditation “expert.”

 

When I first met with Carol and the other experts, I admit, I was sceptical. I had been marching to the beat of my own drum for years now. How could I join this team without compromising my integrity?

 

Well, as we went around the circle that day and introduced ourselves, my whole body began to tingle. These ladies were on my wavelength!

 

The same spirit that was working in me seemed to be working in them and I felt blessed to be in their company. The shift is coming and I knew that joining HMC was part of the plan.

 

I don’t believe that the plan is for us to dominate men or use force as they have in the past. But I do believe that if there is any hope for our world, we women need to reconnect with our innate strength and wisdom and take the lead.

We need to take the men in our lives by the hand and gently guide them into a new way of being. A way of compassion, kindness and an awareness that we are all connected, after all.

 

For those of you who are familiar with the chakras, I am talking about a shift from third chakra awareness to fourth. Solar plexus to heart. That’s where we’re heading in our spiritual evolution.

 

I wonder if any of you know what I’m talking about? I’d love to hear your thoughts/experiences on the topic.

 

Exciting times….

 

I am often asked the questions about how one should sit during meditation and for how long and what time of the day etc. I am aware that there are teachers who might tell you that you need to sit up straight on a cushion or on the floor with your legs crossed for at least half an hour  at dawn etc etc.

 

My approach is somewhat more relaxed.

 

When I first started meditation, I sat on the floor cross-legged in a temple and the lights were turned off and we chanted “OM” 3 times and then I sat there….

 

My legs sometimes fell asleep. I got bored. My mind wandered all over the place. Then the lights were turned back on and I was glad it was over.

 

Granted, I was a teenager so that might’ve had something to do with my lack of focus.

 

But a few years later, I was napping one afternoon and decided to focus on my breath, the way I’d been taught back then. So right there in bed, lying down I started to pay attention to my breathing – for about 10 minutes or so.

 

It wasn’t dramatic or anything but it felt good. So I did it every now and then when I felt like it, just lying in bed.

 

I know that if I had started out by saying “I’m going to get up at 6am every day and sit on the floor for an hour,” I likely would not be practicing meditation today, much less teaching it.

 

But having started out by doing it “my way,” I now find it quite easy to get up at 6am to meditate. The desire just sort of grew on its own. Sometimes I do it sitting up, sometimes staying under my warm covers.

(Let’s face it: In India, it’s warm enough in the mornings to be able to get up and go sit outside. We Winnipeggers need to adapt!)

 

Has this somehow slowed down my spiritual growth/healing? Am I less enlightened than the cushion-sitters? Is there something I’m missing out on by choosing to fit meditation into my lifestyle, rather than adopting all the “shoulds” of how to do it “properly”?

 

I really don’t think so.

 

Considering how much my life has changed over the past 20 years, how much happier and healthier I am, how much better my relationships are, how much meaning and purpose I have found, how much more patient, kind and compassionate I have become, I would have to say that my method works. At least, for me it does.

 

I encourage you to find a way that works for you. Don’t pressure yourself to meditate at a certain time of day for a certain length of time and sitting a prescribed way. The change you’re seeking will come whether you’re under your covers or sitting on a mountain top.

 

It’s about what’s happening on the inside – not the outside.

 

Go into it with an open heart and you’ll find what you need. You’ll get the guidance you need once you get started…. and that might just be to buy a cushion and sit cross-legged!

But then you’ll be doing it because you want to, not because you’re supposed to!

 

And that makes all the difference.