Back in August I started to take a serious look at meditation. Prayer I’m good with. Meditation…ah…not so much. In August I gave it my first serious shot with the Oprah/Deepak 21 day meditation challenge. I figured I needed something with a commitment, instructions, and a lot of structure for me to be able to stay still long enough to find what all the hub-bub is about. You see, therein lies my problem with meditation over prayer. I can’t sit still and focus that intently for even 15 minutes, let alone thirty. Prayer to my constant companion, my lord, my higher power, who travels with me constantly and listens to me on the fly, is easy.
Somehow I got the idea that if I could put the two together, I could forge a deeper relationship with God. I didn’t fare too well for the first week of the challenge. The last three weeks were better. Enough so, that when it was over I contemplated spending the $39 for the set of meditations.
Before I buy, though, I shop around. I got an email from Silent Journey and tried their free session for a few days. Theirs incorporates binaural beats in the background. This is the use of certain beats to help with stress relief, sleep, relaxation, etc. all by just being imbedded in the music. Who couldn’t use help with that stuff just by listening to a certain kind of music?
I loved the Silent Journey meditations the best and purchased the whole set. I use it every morning. It was also easy to incorporate prayer into the 30 minute session because when the guide says to go to a place of truth, love, etc. I immediately picture myself in the presence of my lord. The first half of the meditation is guided, with 15 minutes of just the music following the instructions. There’s my chance to pray quietly each day, totally focused.
He always starts by saying “settle in and settle down”. My hips sink into the chair, my shoulders relax all tension, my hands stay super still in my lap. His voice and the music really immerse me into a trance – almost like being hypnotized. At the end he says “Start coming back into the room. Focus on the sound of my voice. Wiggle your fingers and toes. In a moment I’m going to count to three and you will open your eyes, refreshed, energized and ready to go. Ready. One two three, open your eyes.” And it’s amazing. I actually feel well-rested and full of energy.
I also recently tried the set of meditations motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein has out. I didn’t get quite that same sinking, ethereal feeling I get with Silent Journey, but she does have some valuable things to offer.
If your going to try meditation, I suggest trying Silent Journey. You will quickly see what all the meditation buzz is about.
And so, as another day goes by, I’m glad I didn’t give up on trying something new just because it was hard for me, and …I have written.
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