Marching toward.......happy

March Yogis,

When all is said and done, what is it that we all want?    We search, pay big money, travel far and wide, try new things, switch jobs, change partners, buy new things……all in that elusive search for happiness.   We all want to be happy.  Is that too much to ask of this human existence? 

Not that fleeting happiness that comes when we have that perfect outfit on, or are driving the new shiny car for those first few months.  Something much deeper.  Something that is sustained through the waves that life sends us.  Contentment.  An unwavering sense that all is good. 

……everything that you search for, everything that you want, is already inside you.  Everything.  (from Notes From the Universe)

                                ………………..even happiness.

 

Our conditioning has us believing that to be happy we must own certain things, live in certain places, have the perfect family and be successful.  That once we have that all accomplished, we can lay back and enjoy all of the happiness that it brings! 

It’s that syndrome of – “as soon as…..” then I will be able to relax and simply be happy.    The feeling that I am “on the way” to happiness.  But there is nothing on the outside that can sustain happiness.   Nothing.  And the more time we spend searching out there, the more we suffer. 

Happiness is an energy that is within all of us, just like anger, sorrow and desire.  We know it when we feel it!  But we mistakenly tie it to today’s trigger of the energy instead of recognizing it as us.  The new job is so exciting and fresh (and isn’t the old job) that we feel light, invigorated and, well, happy.  But over time, the hours, the paperwork and the annoying coworker begin to  fade that fresh shine until we are eventually complaining about it no differently than the job we left. 

But the new job was only the current trigger.  It reminded us of what it is like to feel our own self-worth and  to see what we have to offer in this life.  The new job caused us to be present, aware, awake and see clearly because we had no expectations, memories or baggage tied to it. 

The real value of meditation…..the true gift it offers…..is to teach us to be at that same level of presence, have that same level of clarity to notice what each moment offers.    It reveals the completeness that we have inside of us at all times – not only when things are going well. 

So back to happiness…..what exactly does it feel like?  Click on the link, turn your volume way up, close your eyes, listen………..and feel.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM&feature=kp

 

So that song awakens our happiness. Opens the chest, lifts the heart and makes you want to move!   Personally it makes me want to wave my arms up in the air!   Makes the sides of my mouth curl up without even trying.

One of the most difficult lessons on the spiritual path is that to be happy, we must choose it.   My mind had a very difficult time taking that in.  It resisted.  When I went into my lows I quickly forgot what happy felt like.  It would seem so far away that it didn’t seem possible that I had the ability to will it back….especially with all that was going on around me.  I would wait to feel happy again no matter how long it took.  Not believing that I had the power to choose happiness in the midst of it all. 

But we do.  Every one of us.  

That doesn’t mean we won’t experience sadness, anger or grief.  We will still be faced with all of them, and should allow them in just as much as the happiness.  But the difference is that we know when we are done processing those other emotions, happiness is just a choice away.   It is our underlying current and wants us to bathe in it.  It is our center.

Extremely empowering.  I can create my life.  And when I choose happiness, no one or no thing has the power to take that away from me.

If at first it feels like you are pretending…..no problem!  Because remember that what you send out is what you will receive.  So choose to send out the happy vibe.

Don’t worry…..be happy,

SARAH

Marching toward.......level green

Yogis,

Where February feels so brief, March seems to have a long shelf life.   I originally thought this would be the final “Marching toward” email regarding meditation, only to look at the calendar and realize there is yet one more Sunday this month.   And this March keeps reminding us that winter is not quite done with us, so take this as a sign from the Universe to continue the focus inward.  Spring will be here soon enough and the pace of life will quicken in a hurry.  

I would like to focus this week on worry as it is one of our most common thought patterns that keep us from seeing this moment clearly…..and one that meditation can help to lessen.   

Our system has its own internal security alert system.  Our natural state is one of feeling safe and calm.   Not having to be on guard.  In olden times we went into a higher alert for reasons such as being chased by a bear, or spotting a tornado in the distance.  Adrenaline is meant for true fight or flight situations.  

But today’s pressures, deadlines, multitasking and that drive to have it all, have caused our internal emotional state to be more like the Homeland Security Alert System………

 

…….where we often find ourselves, like our county, at a steady state of yellow, with sporadic jumps up to orange.  Worry becomes the norm.  The baseline from which we view the world. 

But here is the thing about worry.   There is absolute nothing that is helped by worry.  Nothing.  I know, I know….that can’t be true.  If I don’t worry and keep all of the bad possibilities in mind, they are more likely to happen.  But it is quite the opposite. 

Worry is a spiral of thoughts that is very constricting, and stresses the body.  Worry goes round and round and round and has absolutely nothing to do with this moment.  Worry is about the future, which doesn’t exist in this moment.   But the worry itself does exist in this moment, blurring our vision, causing us to view the world from a suspicious, guarded position.  Expecting things to happen.   Worry is negative energy.   And you know what?  Our thoughts become things.   So we want to pick the good ones!

So how does meditation help?

If you stop and notice this moment – just this moment……very rarely is there something to worry about.  This moment is pure, it is here and things are ok.   Big exhale to that……  Aaaaahhhhh……………..

Meditation is about doing just that.  A conscious daily stopping and noticing of this moment, exactly as it is .  Feeling the gift of the breath inside.  Sensing the support of the earth underneath us.  Accepting a hug from the benevolent force of the Universe.  Seeing clearly. 

And the more we are able to do this in meditation, the more it spills over into daily life.  Noticing as soon as the worry creeps in and drawing ourselves back to the present moment.  Seeing that yes, everything at this moment is ok, and moving forward from there.  Making decisions that must be made.  Showing compassion to others who need it.  Helping those that need our support.  Taking action.  All from a place of clarity that isn’t distorted by worry.  You just know what to do.   These are the things that make a difference. 

We draw toward us that which we send out.  Meditation, over time, allows us to choose our thoughts.  So my vote is for a whole lot more level green!!!!   Grounded, relaxed and safe.  With spikes only when required that quickly drop back down as soon as necessary action is taken. 

Your body will be grateful, your sleep will be deeper, and there will be a lot more space for joy – which is what life is all about. 

 

I see you and you are perfect,

SARAH

Marching toward......me

Yogis,

From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

III. 1

Contemplation

is

the confining

of thought

to one point

Here are some of the questions I get about mediation practice from those just beginning the inward journey:

What exactly should I do when I meditate?  Am I doing it right?  Am I supposed to feel something?  Don’t I need some special training? 

There are as many meditation techniques as there are days in the year.  Visualization.  Meditating on an object.  Naming each sensation as it arises.  Using mantra (sacred sounds).  Counting breaths. Listening to a guide.   But they are in their truest essence all the same.  Meditation is simply the stopping of the “doing” and tuning in to the “watching”, and drawing the mind toward one point. 

Let’s go back to the image of Monkey Mind.   Our typical state has him swinging wildly from branch to branch to branch, quickly changing directions, dropping, climbing and all at dizzying speed.  Tiring just to watch him!  But when I meditate I visualize him gradually slowing his pace, lowering himself down through the branches until he reaches the ground.   He comes to sit right in front of me completely relaxed…….and with direct eye contact.  Watching each other.  Getting to know him.  Noticing for the first time how thick his hair is.   The length of his fingers.  Sensing his tremendous strength, yet seeing through the outer toughness that deep in those dark eyes there lies an inner gentleness.

The confining of thought to one point. 

 

 

 

Just then I hear a rustle in the distance and notice that other monkeys are now swinging overhead with lots of chatter. Movement.  Action.  I have a choice.  I can allow my attention to widen, move upward, pick up speed and  become distracted to see everything going on…….or I can draw my awareness back and look into the soul of the one who is here right now, at this moment.  And by seeing him, I can soften to allow him to see “me”. 

The confining of thought to one point.  

It is no different when we sit and watch our breath.  It is only that now instead of the monkey it is me sitting there making direct eye contact with myself .  Watching each other.  Getting to know each other.  Looking not upward at the distractions in the mind, but instead looking into the soul of the one who is here right now.  At this moment.  Seeing through the outer shields I have constructed to reveal my own inner, perfect light. 

It takes practice.  It takes awareness.  It takes courage.  It takes the confining of thought to one point…….. because…..

III. 2

Meditation
depends upon this
foundation for directing thoughts
into a continous flow
of awareness

 

Aware and in awe of what is right here in front of me,

SARAH

Marching toward.....our natural state

Yogis,

“March….A Mindful Month”, now in Day #9, has 80 of us meditating daily for at least 10 minutes.  Each of us finding a window of 10 minutes in our day to sit quietly and observe our breath.  

 

Easy……..right?

 

Well it should be.  We are merely sitting quietly with ourselves.  Finding just 10 minutes of the 720 that each day offers.  But somehow that can turn out to be the hardest thing in the world to do!!!

It’s actually kind of funny when you step back and think about it.  We have a hard time being alone with ourselves.  We are able to be with that difficult boss, the overly sweet woman at the drugstore, the annoying neighbor and the gloomy relative.  But when it comes to spending time with little old me and see what’s going on in there, I choose going to the dentist instead.  I think perhaps the floor needs scrubbing.  Are you sure you don’t want me to  go to DMV for you?  Anything not to be alone with my thoughts.

Why is that? 

Mostly it is because we are out of practice.  As small children we spent hours playing alone.  Daydreaming and spending time with our imaginary friends.  Allowing what was happening on the inside be just what is was.  In touch with our inner world.

But as adults, with kids, jobs, time pressures and schedules….not mentioning the streaming info that the tv and internet constantly pump into us,  our minds become busy.  The old “Mind Full”.   Jumping from thought to thought to thought with no space in between.  This is referred to as Monkey Mind. 

My morning alarm is set to WTOP.   For about 2 minutes each morning I hear the “news”, which is the only radio I hear all day.  But in those 2 minutes they probably cover 5 or 6 stories.  Snippets.  High level, no depth, usually leaving me with something that I ought to be worried about.  How can I hope to have space between my thoughts, when the world around me does not.   

During the day as we move from task to task to task, using any gap between events to check email and Facebook, the Monkey Mind is not noticed.  In fact it loves us to be ridiculously busy.  That’s where it thrives.   As soon as there is the slightest pause in our activity, it reminds us of what to think about and do next!  Like the commander in charge.   And we begin to believe that is just “how we are”. 

But boy……when we choose to sit still and be quiet, Monkey Mind is not a happy camper.  It ramps up and begins to shout commands, distracting you from the breath, and trying ever so hard to take you off of your seat before the 10 minutes is up.  And that is normal!   

However, our natural state….a place of calm….is always in there behind the curtain.  Trust me on this.  Our job is just to sit and watch the Monkey Mind, not fight it but also not throw fuel on it.  No arguing with it.  No debate or judgment.   Watch.  Watch some more.  Be curious.  Having the courage to see what is going on inside so that over time the mind will begin to settle.   It is a practice. 

A March back toward our natural state.  And it has to begin somewhere…………….

I am below looking up and watching (and giggling at the absurdity of it J),

SARAH

Marching toward.....the deep end

Yogis,

So February 2014 is forever gone.  I am actually just a little sad to see it go.  February is that page on the calendar that is somewhat empty.  Never sure exactly what to place there.  Somewhat suspended between seasons. Separated from every other month by its shorter length, and the fact that it is the only month that can pass without a full moon.   Like a pause……but not for too long. 

Here we are in March.  Named for Mars, the Roman god of war, who also was the guardian of agriculture.  March is the beginning of the season for farming and contains the equinox, the official beginning of spring when the earth passes neutral and begins its tilt back toward the sun.  When day and night are of equal length. 

The beginning of the March forward…….

The blankets of crocus on our street have begun to bloom.  And nothing…..not snow, nor ice nor cold……will get in their way as they lift their faces toward the sun.    

Have you ever noticed that March contains a lot of reasons to drink?  March Madness, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras and college Spring Break all fall in the month of March.  Wow!  A wonder any of us make it through.

I like a good beer as much as anyone, but I chose March last year to focus on also spreading the word on meditation – perhaps as a counter balance.  And I am repeating it again this year with “March…..a Mindful Month”.    A virtual community where we all commit to at least 10 minutes a day of meditation, including daily emails from me with tips, techniques and inspiration.  We are now up to 73 people!  (if that little voice inside is still whispering….send me an email and join in!).

Why would I want to meditate?  Well the list of health benefits could fill a page.  But to me, the magic of meditation is in simply seeing yourself more clearly.   Over time beginning to realize that “you” are not your thoughts.  So freeing!

In the Yoga Sutras (basically the bible of yoga) by Patanjali, he begins by defining Yoga:

1.2

Yoga is experienced

In that mind

Which has ceased to identify itself

With its vacillating

Waves of perception

Huh.  So yoga is not about placing the body in shapes.  The yoga asana practice that many of us do is simply one of the pathways to Yoga.  A wonderful one….I might add.  The asana practice helps us learn to become still while we hold a pose.  To focus on what each part of the body is doing.  To find the intimate link between movement and breath.  To step out of our day and onto our mat.   Meditation is another one of the pathways.  Another chance to step out of our day and into our seat. 

When I was a child I loved to dive down to the bottom of the deep end in the pool and look up.  Where I sat felt so dense, calm and silent.  Unmoving.  Up above I could see the flailing legs and splashing of the water.  I could just barely hear the yelling and shrieks of laughter.  All far away in what seemed like almost another world.   Those legs and waves at  the top of the water symbolize the mind.  Busy, moving, changing, loud.   And when you are up there it feels like that is all there is.   Caught up in the action.  But by diving deep down you can see clearly that there is more….so much more….buried beneath the surface.  That still place of calm is the true self ….”you”.  And “you” can look up and watch your thoughts.  That’s what meditation is. 

 

“I must be a mermaid, Rango. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living.”

― Anaïs Nin

Diving deep whenever I get the chance,

SARAH