Day 11: Meditation Challenge ~ Clear Mind, Wise Heart
Welcome, to my 28-Meditation Challenge.
If you have joined us late, that is just fine. If you'd like to "officially" join in, simply leave a comment here that says, "I'm in!" and I will add you to the Challenge Roster. Or, send me an e-mail through the Contact Box at my website: awakenedliving.com. You may want to catch up by reading the previous posts. We are glad you are here!Each day we come here, even if we have not meditated as we'd hoped, we begin again.
Start where you are ...
I'm reading your comments and loving them. You are sharing such exciting news!
When we begin to meditate regularly we start to get CLEAR. We begin to see ourselves as we've never seen ourselves before. Meditation is a mirror, reflecting back to us the way we move through the world.
You're revealing that you are noticing your thoughts—all kinds of them—especially those you're not too fond of. Noticing emotions you'd like to move away from. Habits you'd prefer to live without. Hooray!
Welcome to "meditation heaven." No kidding. This is one of the great benefits of meditation—though, it might not feel too great in the moment.
This newfound clarity brings with it the power of choice. Now, we can begin to CHOOSE which thoughts and emotions we listen to, which emotions we will release. CHOOSE which behaviors we'd like to transform. For some very moving accounts of how this is working for a few Challenge participants, check out yesterday's comments. Wow!
May we keep on keepin' on! This is good stuff. We are definitely making progress.
Today, I have another very special guest. I've posed a question about this to an experienced meditator and fellow blogger, Chris Edgar. It seems to follow that if we are gaining personal clarity through meditation, we should also be getting more productive—at home, in the workplace, wherever—and Chris is just the person to address this.
Chris Edgar is a productivity coach. He helps people get calm, clear, and wise, a man after my own heart. :-) He uses insights from mindfulness practice and psychology to help readers and clients find efficiency and enjoyment in their work. Without further ado ... Q. What is your experience of meditation and how it contributes to someone's productivity?
There's a lot of great advice out there about organizing your workspace, managing your time and working smarter. Most of it, however, doesn't tell us what to do when our minds get in the way of our productivity. If our attention is scattered all over the place, having a decluttered desk won't be enough to keep us on track.
People are sometimes surprised when I suggest that meditation can help in these moments, because many of us think of it as something we need to sit alone in a lotus position to do. But what I've found is that we can actually bring a meditative mindset into nearly anything we do, including our work.
If you've learned about meditation from a teacher, you probably heard them talk about just allowing your thoughts and feelings to pass by, without resisting them. You may have heard meditation teachers call this “becoming unclutched” or “stepping out of the stream of thought.”
As it turns out, this is a great mindset to bring into our work. Often, when uncomfortable thoughts and feelings arise as we're working, our first instinct is to either tell them to shut up, or try to distract ourselves by checking e-mail, playing FreeCell, or doing one of the many other behaviors we usually call procrastination.
Unfortunately, this approach doesn't usually work very well. As Carl Jung said, “what we resist persists”—by trying to push away our stray thoughts and feelings, we simply hold them in place.
When we let go of our resistance to mental distractions that come up when we work, what we often find is that they pass away quickly. Our thoughts and emotions, as human beings, are fleeting, and they dissipate on their own if we let them. And when the stray thoughts are gone, we can gently return our attention to our work without a lot of painful effort.
I once worked with a meditation teacher who said that “meditation is practice for the rest of your life,” and I think this is a great illustration of what he said. Bringing the mindset of meditation into our working lives can help us find the focus and peace we want in what we do.
Chris Edgar is an author, speaker and personal coach who specializes in helping professionals transition to careers aligned with their callings, and find more satisfaction and productivity in what they do. Chris’s new book, Inner Productivity: A Mindful Path to Efficiency and Enjoyment in Your Work, uses insights from mindfulness practice and psychology to help readers develop focus and motivation in their work. You can find out more about Chris’s work at www.InnerProductivity.com.
Be sure to visit Chris' blog, Power Purpose Coaching, because it is chock-full of information and articles on meditation and life skills, meditation in the workplace, and more!
Chris, thank you so much for being here today. I value your insights and resourcefulness.
As always, I welcome your thoughts. Chris too!
Blessings,
Jan
Read on ...
Yesterday, listened to Diana's Lang's "New Year" guided meditation (see Resources below). I also meditated with the Metta Sutta and my mala beads. It felt good to be connected to my "practice" again after a day's absence. I notice much ease and "flow" through my day.
Recommended Resources:
Yesterday's guest, Diana Lang, sent along her "New Year's" Guided Meditation. Here are two forms to meet your downloading needs.
FOR MP3
http://files.me.com/dwightclarke/ah5916.mp3
FOR WINDOWS
files.me.com/dianalang/izc2wt
Spirituality and Practice: Do you enjoy "spiritually literate" films? I do. We do not have a television in our home so one of our favorite family pastimes is renting DVDs or watching movies on the web. This comprehensive site, created by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat is a treasure trove of resources, including a complete list of what they feel the most spiritually literate films of the year were. And years past....Enjoy!
Click here to learn more.
Inspiration:
"Meditation masters live in the palace of the heart.
Once in your heart, you can talk and act from that place. Maybe this will look like your core values coming out into the world. Maybe it means you say what you mean more often, or that you say things with deeper conviction. Or that you say less, and the little you say resonates and has the power to move mountains."
~Mark Thornton, Meditation in a New York Minute: Super Calm for the Super Busy (Sounds True, 2004)
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Book Giveaway Announcements! The winner of Jannie Funster's CD, "I Need a Man" from her guest visit here on December 15 is Hilary Melton-Bucher (Positive Letters).
The winners of Suzanne Toro's books, Bare Naked Bliss are Annie (Blissful Bohemian) and Angelia (You Think You Can Blog).
Congratulations all!
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23 comments:
This was great and a good reminder to take our meditation practice with us. Thank you Jan for Suzanne's book. I can't wait. xoxo
P.S. I had a great meditation this morning and it is mostly due to the advice from all your guests. Thank you!
Jan - THANK YOU so much for hosting this challenge
and for having Chris as a guest! His advice really resonated with directions that I had heard at a Mindfulness Workshop last night...(which I may add, I joined after THIS group really gave me the courage to try something new)!
I had always linked meditation with a spiritual aspect - however, last night I learned that the "non-denominational" practice of just being present and mindful was extremely helpful and left just as calm and focused as any other of my more spiritual sessions. Loved it! THANK YOU again for this community - it's one that I hope to be a part of for a very long time. Meditation has always been something I did alone and held very private -this year, I am welcoming the 'community' aspect of it into my life.
Be Well!
Jan. I have indeed taken more notice of my thoughts since beginning this challange. What an amazing thing it is. Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed what a difference meditating can make in my daily, everyday living.
I had a wonderful meditation last night. I have been trying something new...lighting a candle and listening to a meditation cd for about 10 minutes. Then I turn off the cd and just sit being at peace with myself for a few moments longer.
I am just loving this. Thank you so very much. ~Marie
Thanks Chris this is right on “meditation is practice for the rest of your life". My yoga teacher Myriam always talks about "yoga off the mat"...same idea. Bringing awareness and letting go of the stickiness of the things that annoy us or cause us anxiety will bring more ease, and happiness to the fullness of our days, more grace to our movements through life.
I guess I am a victim of "what we resist persists". Over the next few days I will use my favorite guided meditation cd in the afternoon & afterwards I will walk to some classic music that is on the next track on the same cd. (I have not been walking due to the cold weather & I think it has had a great affect on me). I will let you know if it helps me tackle an issue that has been persisting in my mind recently.
"the palace of the heart" Ooo, that is a lovely thought.
I just love it over here on your blog, you know, Jan!?
And of course I'm already a Chris Edgar fan. I cannot recommend his book highly enough. I actually bought an extra copy of "Inner Productivity" to give away on my blog in the not-too-distant future.
And guess what?? The heating men have just left and we have a new unit now installed! As soon as the chainsaw next door stops I plan to head to the carpet for a few quiet minutes of deep reflective breathing and peace. Yesterday they were jack-hammering their drive-way. I kid you not!
xo
Annie,
So glad that your meditation went well. I think everyone's input here is so important. I truly value every suggestion. :-)
Deb,
Your Mindfulness workshop sounds divinely ordained, and glad Chris work resonates with you too! It definitely all helps. I especially appreciate your deep sharing here of how this invitation and community allowed you to embrace others and what they have to offer. :-)
Marie,
Another great breakthrough story. Your meditation sounds lovely, too, and so happy that your practice is being nourished by coming here. :-)
Laura,
It DOES bring grace and movement, doesn't it Laura. And this is a practice we can take with us wherever we go. In time, we ARE the practice and we bring greater equanimity to every circumstance, especially the most challenging ones. I am thrilled to learn that so many workplaces now are incorporating mindfulness and meditation. Google does. :-) Among others.
Liz,
Sounds like you know that you might need to press on and through this one. Stay faithful, even with resistance. Remember, if you ever need help, you can always email me about more private issues. :-)
Jan, I will be totally honest here. When I began this challenge, I thought...hmmm...ok, i'll do this. It might be a good way to start the year. I kept low expectations. Not really thinking much would come out of this.
I mean...how can sitting quietly for a few minutes a day do much of anything? Big deal...just another thing "to do."
How wrong was I???
I thought that I was pretty mindful...but I was wrong there too. What I am realizing is that when I take the time out of my day to "check in" and just sit...everything unfolds. And the more "time outs" I take throughout the day...the more I see and feel.
Does this make sense?
I found that I let my emotions take over way too much...riding the roller coaster and not realizing that when I stop (to meditate or breathe)...I can get off the darn thing before it starts again!
For the first time in my life, I am learning to handle some uncomfortable emotions...namely, anger.
Last night, I had to deal with the demon...I first noticed my heart racing. So I left the room to calm down and meditate. I had to do this 3 times. But I did...and I got off the roller coaster.
I wrote a post on my blog...because I am reading your book, "Your Truest Self"...and in chapter 3 these two words changed my life: Until Today.
Thank you for this gift you have given us!
*sorry for the long rant today*
Oh Jan..I'm late I'm late..how did I miss this..I would love to join in here!! I need a day to catch up. Thank you hon, Sarah
Chris, thank you for your insights. I recognize those distractions you are talking about. My darn Blackberry has a light that flashes every time I get an email, and I've decided to turn it over or put it away while at work so I am not tempted to distract myself when an uncomfortable interaction with a patient, or some other difficult thought or emotion arises.
Meditation is really about meeting ourselves just as we are over and over again, and accepting how we are (open or closed).
Jan, thanks for all these posts. I really feel like I'm not alone, and that though we each travel on our own unique journeys, we also travel together.
Always such good reminders Jan! That I can "choose" my thoughts and I don't have to dwell on them and/or try to repress them - just let them drift in and out. Thank you!
I'm late, but I'm in! Will try to catch up on the past posts!
Caroline,
Gasho! (Deep bow) I heard many years ago from Wayne Dyer (we are talking MANY years - before he was "famous") that if you could meditate for 20 minutes each day it would change your life. I know this to be true and now you do too. This is wonderful news and, even though it is a struggle right now, you are seeing a whole new world of possibilities.
This IS the amazing thing about meditation. If we stick with it, it helps us strip away our false selves to better embody our peaceful, most loving selves. It is miraculous. That is why saints and sages have been harping on this for thousands of years. :-)
So, onward. "Until Today" is a powerful mantra and you can return to it again and again. Breathe on with ease, my lovely friend. Even through the bumps. It is all worth it. xo
By the way, be sure to visit Friday and Saturday because I will be doing likely the most important post of the challenge: how to get off the rollercoaster. :-)
Sarah,
Welcome, you are IN, and I will add your name to the Roster. So glad to have you. May this journey bring you insights and new companionship.
Mermaid,
Good idea about the phone. The more we can disconnect from all of that for at least some of the time, the less irritation we may be forced to deal, the more space we have for ease. Which can then become a habit...I am so glad you are feeling community here. :-) We are One, there is no doubt...
Rochelle,
Yes, we can choose. The hope is that, with practice, through meditation, we can choose which ones to follow up on in the future (because they may be productive in our day to day life when the time is right) and which ones to ignore completely because they are just a manifestation of our ego. Time, patience, persistence, letting go, each helps...
MOMSWEB,
Welcome! Glad you've joined us. Catch up at your own pace but just remember to make the commit to sit and follow through as best you can each day. Even if it is just sitting in silence for 5 minutes, that is great. :-) I'll add your name to the list.
Jan, It feels so calming to be here this evening. It is so easy to overstimulate one's self especially as a highly sensitive person. I have to pace myself. Even just coming here tonight, it divinely worked out and I could feel the clear energies and loved it! I enjoyed this post so much as you talk about 'starting where we are',.. and this expresses such a self-kindness and I appreciate that gentle reinforcement! I keep on meditating as I remember lately and it is becoming more frequent that I think of it. It seems to bubble up in its own way that I am to be still. So I've becoming more aware lately of my need to "listen" more to others and trying to develop that skill, to question some areas and see what the deeper issue is. Often it is something I have yet to learn so I must be gentle with myself in the process. I absolutely adored the inspiration shared here:
"Meditation masters live in the palace of the heart. Once in your heart, you can talk and act from that place."
I actually feel lately I am connecting more with my heart and its such a new feeling. I find that some emotions were starting to surface tonight that were hidden for so long. I did not resist but wondered why it was so long before it came forth. It didn't completely surface but the beginning was happening. I never thought that it could be related to this meditation, but it does make sense. Anyway, I don't mean to write a book here, but just wanted to share how this meditation guiding is helping over here, since I am not stopping by for every post, just as I can. blessings to you, Jan! what a great challenge you are leading with your heart! xx Jen
Chris says, "We can actually bring a meditative mindset into nearly anything we do, including our work."
The way this happened to work out for me was that I spent what must have been at least a year doing sitting meditation before bringing it to my workplace even crossed my mind as a possibiity.
Once it did, I feel that all the practise I'd had with clearing my thoughts at the beginning of sitting meditations allowed me to do this much more quickly and efficiently in stress situations on the job.
Sharmila (Jenn),
This is a very important noticing: that you are someone who is very easily overstimulated, sensitive, and things affect you deeply. So am I. To continue to choose routines and lifestyles that nurture our spirit—and foster mindfulness—is key. Meditation DOES open the heart, first to ourselves, then to others. We do so one breath at a time, one sit at a time, one mindful choice at a time. May your day be filled with ease....
Paul,
The story of your "progression" is perfect. That really is the idea of meditation. That as we learn to sit and be still, we carry that stillness into all areas of our life. I do imagine you carried a peaceful loving presence into school each day...
Thanks everyone for your comments -- I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Jan's blog and I'm glad to hear many of you found the article helpful.
@ Deb and Joe - that sounds like a valuable realization - that you don't need to buy into any belief system to benefit from meditation - the Buddha even told his students to basically try it and use it only if they got results.
@ Laura Hegfield - "yoga off the mat" -- I like that way of putting it. Even as we're sitting at our desks at work, I think, there are forms of yogic breathing and movement we can use to work the tension out of our bodies.
@ Cherokeefox - I look forward to hearing how your practice works for you.
@ Jannie - Aww, I'm a big Jannie fan too.
@ Mermaid - turning off the Blackberry sounds like one way to lessen distraction - and, if you find yourself getting the urge to turn it back on again and that gets distracting, I think it's also a useful practice to tune into where that urge arises in your body, and breathe into that part to relax the tension.
@ Rochelle -- that sounds like useful awareness - that you can just let thoughts drift away without clinging to them or rejecting them. And even if you don't feel like you're choosing what you think, I believe this can still work.
@ Paul -- I'm glad to hear the same techniques you used in meditation helped you concentrate in your work -- I know that was a big a-ha moment for me.
Chris,
Thank YOU for being here and sharing your expertise--and your heart! It has been a pleasure. And many blessings on your good work with others helping them be more mindful and productive.
I've downloaded your e-book and will be sharing it with my husband. I hope many others will do the same. Such good stuff!
May you be well and happy.
Jan
Today is my personal Day 11. I used the mp3 you posted and it opened up a whole new world for me with using a certain word as my thoughtform for this year. I immediately knew my word would be STRENGTH and I cannot even tell you how much this is going to help me in my every day life.
This whole challenge has been such a blessing to me, thank you for doing this. I have been journaling every day about my experiences - learning so much along the way. I've been frustrated some days, but every day accepted what I tried and felt so thankful for my efforts. I feel like I have come such a long way in just 11 days and I cannot thank you enough for your guidance. I look forward to see where the next 11 days take me! Much peace and love to you, debbie
Debbie,
Such wonderful news! I am thrilled that the Challenge has inspired you and helped you stay on track. I appreciate your faithfulness and willingness to try new things. The word "strength" as a mantra is very powerful. May your journey continue to be blessed.
Hi Jan and Chris
I too love this; "Bringing the mindset of meditation into our working lives can help us find the focus and peace we want in what we do."
That really resonates with me and that is what meditation is for me, finding peace in daily living.
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