Hello again,
And welcome to Day 11 of our 22-day guided meditation series,
Navigating Recovery and Overcoming Adversity.
Every time we free ourselves from our negative habitual patterns,
We make a breakthrough,
But often we remain stuck in our negative patterns and addictive habitual behaviors because of what's known in Vedic and Buddhist traditions as the cycle of karma.
The cycle of karma is based on the idea that our minds are kept active by constantly cycling through three stages,
And because this is the nature of our minds' mental activity,
We often get stuck behaving in foreseeable ways.
In the beginning stage of the cycle of karma,
Our mind registers our memories.
Then because of our memories,
The mind moves into the second stage,
In which it generates a desire to engage either more or less in the experience that generated the memory.
This desire then leads to the third stage,
Which is to make the choice to take some kind of action.
Finally,
Then,
As a result of the action we end up taking,
New memories are recorded which result in new desires that prompt our future actions.
This cycle is what is at the core of all habitual behaviors that are both life-supporting and non-nourishing.
Knowing this,
We can now see that in order to free ourselves from our negative patterns and addictive behaviors,
We have to learn how to bring more awareness to the choices we are making so we can escape the hamster wheel of action,
Memory,
And desire that keeps us behaving in predictable ways.
With that said,
A great way to become a more conscious choice-maker and free ourselves from this cycle of karma is to meditate.
This is because when we meditate,
We briefly quiet the non-stop activity of our mind and experience physical relaxation.
Then from this place of physical relaxation that takes place when we meditate and our mind slips into the gap in between our thoughts,
We become more conscious choice-makers because the peace we gain in meditation starts to extend into our actions,
Thoughts,
And words.
Ultimately,
Then because it is peace gained from our regular meditation practice that carries with us throughout our day,
We become less reactive.
This then will allow us to make more conscious choices and free ourselves from our habitual behaviors because our decisions will be coming from a more tranquil,
Less reactive mind.
Now let's prepare to meditate.
Begin by finding a comfortable seat in closing your eyes.
Now begin to become aware of the breath,
Not focusing or concentrating,
Just simply watch the breath as it naturally flows in and out.
Now easily and effortlessly begin to repeat today's mantra,
Sat Chit Ananda.
Continue to repeat this mantra,
Sat Chit Ananda,
And whenever you notice your attention drifts away from the mantra to thoughts,
Noises in your environment,
Or physical sensations,
Simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra,
Sat Chit Ananda.
Please continue with your meditation.
I will watch the time.
When it is time to end our meditation,
You will hear me ring a soft chime.
When you hear the chime,
Stop repeating the mantra and continue sitting quietly with your eyes closed.
Enjoy your meditation.
Thank you.
It is time to release silently repeating the mantra and continue sitting quietly with your eyes closed.
Now begin to bring some slight movement into your body wiggling your fingers and toes.
Whenever it feels comfortable slowly open your eyes.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and I look forward to meditating with you again tomorrow for day 12 of navigating recovery and overcoming adversity.
Namaste.
