What it looks like is that in the
moment of challenge or struggle, you take the time to stop. You must stop
everything.
First, bring in the breath. Become
mindful of breathing in and breathing out so you can feel and so energy is
flowing. Then, bring yourself to the awareness that it is all about you; it is
not about blaming someone else or the circumstances in which you find yourself.
In that moment feel whatever you need to feel because it is only about you and
your breathing, and that is what is called, in the yogic tradition, tapas; that’s the practice. Do not keep moving, do not keep racing time,
do not find something else to do, do not
say, “I’ll sit later” or “I’ll feel later” or “I’ll think about this later.”
Really stop. Stop, and go within.
But the practice also looks like
this on a sustained basis: You get your meditation cushion out and sit down,
and you consent to spending time with God. You breathe, you meditate, you do
your internal practice, and you may also recite prayers. That stimulates the
practice, and it keeps you in the flow of practice.
That is what it looks like. It is
regular, like brushing your teeth. It is built into your life. As it grows in strength, it is the single
most important energy for your own soul.
(February 2007)
My practice all seems to be about the same old stuff.
Let’s not say that; let’s not say
it’s the same old thing. Let’s not put it in a place where we feel victimized
or unhopeful about it.
You are recognizing and seeing the
potential for healing that keeps showing itself to you in the same place, over
and over again. But do not say, “It’s just the same old thing,” because we are
not going to trivialize it or minimize it. See it as the fuel to build your
fire of the desire to be beautiful and peaceful. So, it is good to have a lot
of fuel.
Keep working with it. It’s not over
until it is over, and it does not matter how long the sequences last in life.
It does not matter, even if it is life long or all the next life long. All that
matters is that you say, “I’m sticking with it; however long it takes me, I’m
sticking with it.”
(April 2007)
Maresha's next blog will be published Tuesday, June 30, 2015.
Messages of Light is published by the Sanctuary of Universal Light on Snow Dragon Mountain in Meredith, New Hampshire. A snail mail edition is available bi-monthly, free of charge. www.snowdragonsanctuary.com
Messages of Light is published by the Sanctuary of Universal Light on Snow Dragon Mountain in Meredith, New Hampshire. A snail mail edition is available bi-monthly, free of charge. www.snowdragonsanctuary.com