As we move through life, we accumulate many things. Some are physical, some informational and others emotional and spiritual. It can be very beneficial to release some of it. Most of us, on some level, have a desire to shed these masses of distraction we bring into our lives. Some take action, as evidenced by the scores of garage sales and flea markets out there. But what do we do when we rid ourselves of the baggage? Do we just begin a new cycle of accumulation? Many of us do. It is a very common ailment that plagues our inner worlds as well. In the modern era we live in, we are inundated with information. So much information. Information overload! So we might take a vacation only to go right back to immersing ourselves into the pool of chatter when we return home. What about our emotional and spiritual junk lockers? How much negativity, sorrow, grief, anger, frustration, thoughts of spiritual wonderment and seeking of self healing do we stuff away in our day to day lives?
In order to heal ourselves and our planet it is a necessity that we shed some of the accumulation, but the real challenge is to leave the space unfilled. This can be uncomfortable because we get so used to being "full" and when we let go of things we can quickly fall prey to the urge to fill that space again. What if we instead decide to live in that space? What does it feel like? There are opportunities for healing and growth in that space. That is why meditation can be such a wonderful technique as we learn to sit and be content in stillness. The allowance of that space, that freedom is liberating and empowering! One does not have to be an expert or a yogi to meditate. It is a very simple thing and can explored very easily. Here is a way:
Find a place in your home, preferably outside, but an open window will serve you well too. As the winter months approach and the cold makes it impossible for some of our readers in harsher climates, you can just light a candle. Sit with the intention of only deep breathing and listening to the sounds of your body and all that surrounds you. Imagine a fire, like a pilot light, that is burning gently in your lower abdominal area. As you breath in and out imagine your breath fanning the flame, allowing it to grow and rise through your spine. Let it tame your mind. Your mind might play a few tricks on you due to its everyday programming, saying things like, "You have laundry to do," or "This is silly." Just let your mind know that it can wait. This is your time. You can reply when this happens, "Hush," and continue to fan the flame of your life force energy. This is a start.
This practice allows you to begin being in the moment, open to the stillness and the space. You do not have to fill it with food, reading, tv, conversation, worry or anything at all. In that infinite space is the opportunity to let go of your baggage, to release your tensions and anxiety over the world. We cannot solve all of the world's problems but we can start with ourselves, healing the planet from the inside out.
I leave you with a Buddhist parable:
Carrying and Leaving
Once upon a time, there were two monks who went on a pilgrimage across the country together. One day, they came to a river bank and saw a beautiful girl who was unable to cross the river.
Seeing her difficulty, the elder monk volunteered to carry her across the river on his back while the younger one looked on in consternation.
When the sun went down, the monks came upon a dilapidated shack and decided to stay there for the night. The elder monk quickly fell asleep while the younger one twisted around, unable to calm his mind. Finally, he woke up the elder monk and reprimanded him for what happened during the day, "As monks, we are supposed to keep away from women. I am really ashamed and troubled by what you did today!"
The elder monk looked at his friend and a smile broke up on his face, "Oh, so that has been bothering you! Brother, I have left the girl behind by the river bank, why are you still carrying her around?"
Source: http://www.sinc.sunysb.edu/clubs/buddhism/story/index.html
October 6th, 2009 at 11:15 am
That is a great parable, it is important to sometimes not let our problems follow us around.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:31 am
This is a good post. You were right, we shouldn't let our problems follow us around. Like for me, being a professional, I do not let my problem sink in me while I'm at work. I will try the tip you posted above. I know it will help me relax a lot. The parable is also nice. It made me smile at the end. Thanks for the post!
October 7th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Great post. Very inspiring indeed.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:56 am
What a wonderful post to read this morning. So very inspirational. Made me smile on a rainy day.
We do hold on to things alot and they way us down. Trying to cleanse your life in all aspects is important... challenging, but the most rewarding.
Thank you so much for your insight!
October 7th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I won't say that I know everything about meditation but still known to it enough that if I want, I can meditate but despite all of the benefits of Meditation, it's the thing I constantly ignore. It's the human nature to leave some distractions and get involved with new ones but Meditation sort of organizes your mind and unclutters it so there's more space to welcome new things and it gives you a sense of judgment to see whether these new things are distracting or useful.
October 7th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
It is nice to see so many of you grabbing a moment of peace with the article! The beauty of this meditation is that you do not have to do anything bet be still. The more we can do that, the more things sort of organize themselves. Things fall into place when distracted thought is pushed to the side. Of course, your mind will fight the process and keep chatting away. That is the only "struggle," your mind. So...the more we quite the mind, the less we struggle:)
Love and light,
Jess
October 8th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Jess, your post have inspired us that no matter how hard or tough our life is, we still have to carry on...
October 10th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Very motivating article. We shouldn't let our problems follow us around.
October 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
[...] the quality of writing continues in Carrying and Leaving where Jessica Nagel shares an effective technique for opening up to stillness as a doorway to [...]
November 18th, 2009 at 4:15 am
I extremely like the technique described in the article. This is an excellent way to unload our subconsciousness:)