Welcome to part two of making it to the cushion.
So by now,
You've begun creating the perfect place to practice.
This outer paradise that you're building serves as a reflection of your own mind and what is possible within.
Watch this as your sacred sanctuary,
The makings of your own perfect world.
Now we need to know what brings us to the cushion,
To this special space.
And with this,
We arrive at the second gem.
Why are you even meditating?
What's your personal motivation?
For some people,
It may be to relieve anxiety or stress.
For others,
It may be a desire to declutter the mind,
To make space for clarity,
Intuition,
And focus.
Or maybe there's a need for a boost of confidence.
These are all amazing reasons to commit to a practice.
Now I'm going to challenge you to dig even deeper,
To dig beyond the commonly known benefits of a meditation practice.
When I sit down on my cushion,
Before I even begin to meditate,
There are a few things that I do.
And out of all of those things,
Returning to my why is one of the most important for me.
Knowing your why charges your practice with an intention,
And it serves as a reminder of your reason for returning,
Day after day.
The mind needs these frequent nudges.
A heartfelt intention serves to excite the mind and sparks this desire to want to re-engage with the practice.
Your why can be the catalyst that transforms an ordinary sit into something much more profound.
So what's my why?
My why is deeply personal and I share it openly in other forums.
But simply put,
I remember a time when my thoughts were interwoven with the thoughts and intentions of someone else,
And confusion and pain was the overall theme of my life.
And with that,
I practice to reclaim and reinforce that my narrative is without a doubt my own.
I meditate to assume the seat,
The throne,
As the author of my story.
And to take hold of that elusive wand and create my magic.
And more importantly,
I meditate to show my daughter what is possible.
Take some time this week to reflect on why you're meditating.
Maybe you want to experience the subtle movements of your mind to see how it creates your reality.
Or maybe you want to manage overwhelming emotions to transform that anger into compassion with patience.
Or maybe you're seeking liberation,
Whatever that may mean to you.
It also really helps to have a goal.
One of my teachers says that it's beneficial to make the goal a process instead of a step in the state of being.
For example,
Instead of setting a goal of improving your focus,
Try setting a goal of developing a consistent practice two times a day.
Whatever you're capable of.
Share a message below with your why and or your goal for your practice.
Your why may be deeply personal,
So I invite you to share the general essence.
And for your chosen goal,
Put pen to paper for added accountability.
Until next time.
