Meditation Monday ~ Inner Treasure
Ten years ago I was on a quest for inner peace. One auspicious January, that quest landed me in the Meditation Gardens of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas, California.
It was not the first time I'd been there. This Eden on earth, located on the grounds of the ashram and home of yogi and teacher Paramahansa Yogananda, had been a spiritual touch-point for me for years. But this visit was different. This time I was sleeping over, engaging myself in an absolutely silent weekend retreat.
This "poem" was penned there, and it is my offering to you on this Meditation Monday. Of all the pieces that were birthed that weekend, this is my favorite. Simply put, it reminds me how to live.
Living in the present takes full effort and concentration.
When we practice living in the "now,"
we realize each moment is special.
We will never experience this exact circumstance
in this way again.
We will never see these sights, hear these words,
feel these emotions in the same way ever again.
Concentrate on savoring and enjoying the moment at hand
so it is not a lost jewel, but a valued treasure. *
Now, does your heart have anything to say?
May you and your day be blessed ...
~~~~~
Excerpted from Awakening the Spirit Within.
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21 comments:
This poem about living in the present speaks to my heart this Monday morning. I especially love the line, "We will never see these sights, hear these words, feel these emotions in the same way ever again."
I'm back to work today after "savoring" every moment at a 4-day silent retreat.
I miss you, Jan.
This is beautiful Jan. Living in the moment does take effort of sorts. You have to refrain from worry and "what if's"...there is a bit of ego struggle (at first). I try as much as I can to embrace each moment and cherish the beauty around me. Some days I soar and others I struggle. But the days I struggle make me appreciate the good days so much more!
Thank you Jan,for the beautiful reminder of living in the 'now'!
Now is that which becomes our past and when we live this moment with awareness our past will become a beautiful memory!
Now is that which becomes our future and when we live this moment with awareness our future will become a beautiful sequence!
Julie,
You pinpointed the phrase that touches me the most deeply too. It magnifies the moment and allows us to settle into appreciation. :-) May your day be blessed!
Caroline,
You describe very well what our challenges are in staying present. And I bow to you for staying faithful to this process, even when it is difficult. Hugs!
Sema,
Yes! You remind us that being in the now creates more beautiful nows ... strung together in a lovely sequence. I like that! Blessings to you. :-)
This is a teensy bit off topic, but I've (already) been giving some thought to what I'd like to do for my 50th birthday and the idea of going to a monastic retreat keeps popping up...I mean, what a great way to pay tribute to my first 50 and embark on the next, right? Anyway...
Happy Monday.
Your words, your beautiful poem, called me to a place of inner peace tonight and inspired me to plant my tush in a comfortable chair and pour my heart out in my journal.
So much gratitude to express in words.
Thanks for sharing your poem Jan. Although written so long ago, it is still poignant, personal and powerful.
Ooh, ooh, Jan, I live seven minutes from there! I haven't been for a while, being busy with this and that, but I think I'll go soon.
Wonder which palm tree it is that you and Yogananda sat under? Sounds heavenly.
I've always loved these gardens.
Happy week!
Jan, I also visited this beautiful garden a few years ago and loved it...Yogananda's book "Autobiography of a Yogi" was an inspiring read as well.
Living in the moment truly does take full effort and concentration that (happily) I'm finding gets easier with time.
Jan,
Wow. I took my "blogging friends" to the Self Realization Center in Santa Monica....it is one of my favorite places to center and process and I began our weekend there to refresh and center the energy of our group. Amazing experience.....
Each moment *is* different than the one before, so each kiss, each taste of chocolate, each note of your favorite song, each breath...may be similar to a previous experience but is new and completely different in the moment you are in. Wondrous.
Carolynn,
I think a retreat could be a wonderful way to launch your 50s. If you go to findthedivine.com you will find the site dedicated to retreat locations all over the world. It's quite something. I can't say enough about the importance of retreat, as you know. It does offer spiritual benchmarks that are so unique....
Cheryl,
I hope that your journaling was fruitful! It is such a beautiful process, to pour one's heart out through ink and have the page absorb it unconditionally. Oh, my....I just love the thought. :-)
Laura,
I know. You live so close! It's a marvel. Well, the tree is up by the swimming pool area, at the southeast corner of the pool area. You will see a well worn patch at its base indented like someone's behind (!). When my father passed away, we scattered some of his ashes there, too. The gardens was one of his favorites places to go as he journeyed through cancer. There's a marble bench at the top, overlooking the ocean and a bit of him is nestled there. Enjoy!
Lovely piece! I love the poem, and the photos make me long for summer. But I am going to take your advice and live "in the now"... there's a beautiful day waiting outside my window!
Hi Jan .. sounds glorious and your poem and power of words is so right for me now - being with my Ma .. I must remember these fleeting moments when her eyes open, a smile lingers on her lips, then she sleeps ..
Have a peaceful and blessed Easter - all the best Hilary
PS One day I'll get to one of these magical places - could just do with the warmth right now!!
'so it is not a lost jewel, but a valued treasure'
I especially loved this line. I marvel at how many times I've rushed to the next moment or day and forgotten about the preciousness of now. Just today I was logging on to medical charts, and I saw this picture of the planet Earth. I thought to myself, "How was I ever blessed to be born on this planet and have all that I do?"
Thanks, Jan. Your posts are ALWAYS uplifting and inspirational!!!
Thank you for this wonderful post. The Encinitas SRF Garden is one of my most favourite places in the world though it's been ten years now since I've been. Thanks for this very pleasant reminder.
Thankyou....loved your poem....smiles.
Thanks for this -- it's important to remember as I go through my daily routine that the "sameness" that I'm experiencing is an illusion, because each moment of that routine on each day is actually, totally unique.
Beautifully written. Savor the moment at hand...I love that. Wishing you a blessed Easter, Jan.
so clear and beautiful Jan...each moment is precious and unique...even the most difficult ones are laden with jewels in the deep crevices. if we pay attention and look beyond or sometimes even through the veil of fear/pain we will discover blessings in every moment.
Hi Jan,
This poem is wonderful. Thank you for sharing it. Your pictures are beautiful, too.
Hope all is well with you! Jodi
Kate,
I loved Yogananda's book too. It is a spiritual classic, for sure. And, yes, I do think staying in the present moment does getter easier with time - and practice!
Joy,
Lovely synchronicity. I've not been to the temple you've mentioned, but I've seen pictures. Beautiful! I so appreciate your ability to savor the moment...
Cindy,
May all these new spring days in MI bring you awareness, appreciation and joy. I think I am missing my garden unfolding....:-)
Hilary,
Yes, to savor the fleeting special moments makes life so precious and dear.
Mermaid,
Happy to hear you had a magical moment where you caught yourself and brought yourself back "home." :-)
Sharon,
Perhaps now you will take a stroll through those beautiful gardens again! Enjoy...
Chris,
You touch upon an important point. That in the "sameness" of each day or situation we tend to forget the uniqueness of each moment. I am glad this post served as a reminder...
Sharon,
I hope you were able to savor your Easter celebration. :-) Here's to new beginnings!
Laura,
You, too, make an important point. That even in the midst of pain or discomfort there can be an awareness of blessings. Hope you are well today...
Jodi,
Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, all is well here. Savoring the moment, for sure! I do love the tropics. :-) Vibrant beauty everywhere.
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