Inspiration
Outdoor Zen!!
30″ X 30″ Aum Namah Shivaya Mandala Meditation Banner
publisher: Mandala Arts
ASIN: B007RF9NFY
price: $39.95 (new)
Meditating on the Aum Namah Shivaya mandala helps clear away illusions and obstacles, illuminating inner peace and eternal connection with the One inside each of us. Aum (also spelled Om) is known to Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists as the divine vibration of the Universe, the sound that attunes us to the Absolute. The Lotus is a symbol of purity and spiritual growth. This 30″x 30″ meditation banner was designed by Bryon Allen, is beautiful and silky-soft, printed in full vivid color on sheer, flowing knit polyester. It looks like silk but is durable and long-lasting. Great for indoor or outdoor zen use. It comes with a decorative wooden pole at top & bottom and black string for easy hanging. This meditation banner is a lovely addition to your home, backyard, porch, yoga or meditation studio, retreat center as well as office space. Also available in a smaller 15″ X 15″ size.
Waverly Meditation Tangerine Outdoor Fabric
publisher: Waverly
ASIN: B0046JIO1S
Coordinating with 2614S, this bold stripe in tangerine orange and madeira red against an off white background beckons one to sit outside and enjoy a lovely summer day. This is awesome outdoor zen fabric, use your imagination and go for it!!
Meditation Cushion; Inflatable, Zafu; Green (Medium)
publisher: Carolina Morning
ASIN: B003WC5BWA
EAN: 0085031335000
sales rank: 253427
price: $25.00 (new)
You’ll literally be sitting on air with this highly portable and lightweight cushion, with a sturdy cotton cover. It’s durable enough for outdoor zen use, easily washable, and can be inflated in seconds. Hundreds of satisfied customers are using it all over the globe, staying centered in a busy world. The Inflatable Cushion has a normal cloth cover just like a standard zafu (durable cotton/polyester blend),with a plastic ball inside. It looks just like a regular zafu, and the cover is machine-washable. How durable is it? The Inflatable Cushion can be used on bare ground and can hold people up to 150 pounds. In fact, we have not yet determined the weight limit! They are carried all over the backcountry and used for camping with great results.
La Crosse Technology WT-3181P 18″ Outdoor Atomic Wall Clock with Temperature/Humidity
publisher: La Crosse Technology
ASIN: B0001PG2RO
EAN: 0757456995182
sales rank: 27666
price: $49.86 (new), $51.74 (used)
This 18″ outdoor clock sets itself to the U.S. atomic clock in Boulder, Colorado, thus maintaining absolute time accuracy. An analog hygrometer and thermometer allow you to view the weather conditions from outside your home. This clock is weather proof and a perfect outdoor zen accessory!
publisher: Shambala Shop
ASIN: B0045S6JFI
sales rank: 121752
price: $31.39 (new)
Prayer wheels have been a part of Tibetan culture for many centuries and are an essential element of Tibetan Buddhism. The cylindrical vessel contains thousands of prayers which are emitted when the wheel is spun. The act of spinning a prayer wheel is thought to be equivalent to reciting/speaking the prayers. Thus, having this outdoor zen prayer wheel is considered to be a spiritual practice which purifies karma, dispels negativity, increases compassion, & benefits all living beings around us.
Strathwood Gibranta All-Weather Hardwood 2-Seater Bench
This great outdoor zen bench will get used over and over!!
publisher: Strathwood
ASIN: B000WCW4M8
sales rank: 413
price: $129.99 (new)
Libbey 6 x 14 H Hurricane Shade – Case = 4
publisher: Libbey
ASIN: B002M3N99M
sales rank: 13248
price: $30.39 (new)
Libbey hurricane shade, 6″ diam x 14″ h this large glass shade is the same curvy shape as a traditional hurricane glass, only a full 14″ tall and 6″ in diameter. height: 14″ top diameter: 5-1/4″ bottom diameter: 5-1/4″ maximum diameter: 6″ scc#: 17576601 210511 – Case = 4
Build A Zen Garden
What exactly is an outdoor Zen Garden? The term “Zen Garden” is typically used to describe a specific type of Japanese garden comprised mainly of sand and rocks and focuses on design simplicity. The style comes from the Zen Buddhist Temples where many of these gardens can be found. These gardens can be small framed boxes or may take up half of your yard. You can create them in any size or form that you wish. The idea is that the sand or gravel that forms the base of the outdoor zen garden represents the water of a pond or ocean. The surface of the sand is often raked to represent the ripples of water.
The Outdoor Zen garden is a pit of sand or gravel. Then stones are placed carefully in the sand to represent islands or rock formations generally found in water. This is a common design and interpretation of proper rock gardens but you can design it in any manner you like.
These outdoor zen gardens can be built in flowerbed type enclosures, directly on the ground, or in framed wooden boxes similar to flat flower boxes. You can research and look at some inspiring pictures to get a good idea for your Zen garden. Decide which type would make a good addition to your garden or patio area.
First, plan the area where you will create your Zen Garden. If it requires a framed box, you will need to create or purchase the box first. If you intend to create the rock garden on the ground, decide if you will need to excavate in order to remove soil or ground cover foliage. Map out the perimeter of the garden and create a border. Your local home and garden supply stores have several border materials that will do this job quite nicely. If building on the ground, you may need to line the ground with weed blocking material to keep plants from growing up through your sand or gravel area.
Add the sand or gravel bed. Whether you are adding sand or gravel, you will want to fill the area and completely cover the ground or bottom of the box. You need the sand or gravel to be deep enough to allow for raking the surface to create the ripple effect.
Now you are ready to place the focal features of your choice into the sand or gravel bed. For best results, these items should be partially submerged in the sand to create the appearance that they are protruding from the surface of water. Natural objects like large and small stones will keep you close to the traditional roots of this design but feel free to use anything that you like. Any natural items like rocks, plants, logs work best to achieve that natural look. Also, remember that simplicity is a major part of this theme.
Now you are ready to rake the surface to create ripples and designs. Feel free to be artistic. It is your garden after all and you can move objects around and resurface it as often as you like.
Chanting Om by Music for Deep Meditation – Sacred Blessings DVD – www.MusicForDeepMeditation.com HD
DVD available at Amazon at www.amazon.com If you would like to get only the music please visit www.musicfordeepmeditation.com and you can download there from anywhere in the world. This particular track is from Chanting Om Vol II, Splendor of Yoga. Be sure to join our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com Inner Splendor presents ”Sacred Blessings,” a visual meditation of gorgeous nature images accompanied by some of the most popular tracks from Music for Deep Meditation. This high-quality DVD includes various renditions of the sacred mantra Om, along with the healing sound of the Didgeridoo and Tibetan Singing Bowl, and delightful tracks of soothing Classical Indian Music. The high quality nature images were captured at some of the most beautiful places on Earth, including the islands of Hawaii, the coasts of Mexico, the lush beauty of Ireland and the mystical tranquility of the Canary Islands. You can simply play the DVD to purify the atmosphere in your home, or you can watch the various tracks and meditate with them, becoming aware of the presence of the divine, within and without. Produced by Vidura Barrios for Inner Splendor Media www.innersplendor.com Video Design by Jeffrey Main http
Why Use AN Outdoor Zen Fountain?
The zen fountain is one of the best selling fountains on the market. These outdoor zen fountains are known for their swaying flow of water.
The water in such types of fountains flows in the upward direction and the area is covered with a high settled array of small pebbles. The water flows upward, clashes with the stones and this adds beauty to the entire fountain.
The sound that comes from the sound of the water fall is quite soothing to hear and creates quite a serene environment. The sound of water relaxes the mind of an individual and the zen fountain is known for its charismatic beauty.
The table top outdoor zen fountain is a stunning structure, with a look of the ancient zen era and this attracts the people and presents something different for the eyes those people who view it. It may be definitely called an “eye tonic” for those who are interested to have a view of the fountain. To purchase such a fountain, one needs to loosen up his pocket as it is not just available, rather constructed for specific orders in the market place as well.
One needs to keep in mind that these fountains are hand made fountains, therefore the shapes and textures may vary from fountain to fountain. The color may also differ as the slate used is not the same for each and every fountain. But the person who decides that he or she should purchase a Zen fountain is assured of a beautiful piece, which will call for other customers as well.
The dimensions of such the zen fountain are quite appropriate. It usually extends to only 12 square feet and it is usually only about 3-1/4″ high structure which is just as good as any other height. The overall weight of this fountain is approximately fifteen pounds. Now the dimensions must be quite clear and therefore it can be proved that the bulk of such fountain is apt for a larger area. One needs to consider all these things while purchasing such a great structure.
This water fountain usually comes in a black polystyrene base which is apt for the Zen garden as there is no such scope of getting dirty. The water pump that is attached to the Zen fountain is adjustable which means that there usually aren’t very many problems or confusion about its operation. The quality of this fountain is considered the best of all.
The water is properly circulated throughout the fountain through an electric water pump. The voltage application is quite minimal at 230V/50HZ and is something that can be afforded by an individual. The other specifications, such as the length of the electric wire, size and other details can be looked at while ordering it online. Now the ordering options are quite suitable for most people as such a fountain is equipped with many minute fittings and an individual can come across all of the specifications while viewing on the zen fountain on the internet.
Watch our BLOG for more zen!!
SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTMENT
What Is Spiritual Enlightenment
As it seems, spiritual enlightenment is often categorized into levels for practical purposes. Highest stage of spiritual enlightenment marks the attainment of God, but still there are certain levels through which the individual needs to evolve. It is like rising from the levels of animality to which we often tend to degrade ourselves. From the levels of animality, we rise to the level of humanity, which constitutes our true nature. And further from humanity to divinity, where we merge back in the source from where we have come. Let us, for our practical purpose, put them in stages and analyze the state of being in each stage:
At the very first level of spiritual enlightenment, the individual starts experiencing the reality as it is. It means that your mind ceases to interfere with what you are experiencing. Quite often, we are engaged in continuous talk, gossip, analyzing the environment around us, planning about future, and so on. However, when spiritual enlightenment dawns on your being, you take everything as it is.
At the second stage of spiritual enlightenment, you feel yourself in almost everything around you. You feel that you have some connection to every object and every individual in the world. It is like losing your own individuality. Spiritual enlightenment has its culmination at merging the soul in Supreme Soul, and this is where you start experiencing it. You feel that you are not individual anymore and not separate from anything. You feel that you are in everything and everything is just a part of the Supreme Soul from where you also have emerged.
At the third stage of spiritual enlightenment, you no longer feel connected to everything but realize you are everything. Because spiritual enlightenment gives you the experience of oneness with God, you feel that you are not separate from anything. You are not merely the body, sense, mind, and faculty of intellect: you are what everything else is. This stage of spiritual enlightenment imparts the direct experience of oneness.
Spiritual enlightenment is the fruit that sets you free, as you lose all wants and wishes to receive the fruits of your actions. You feel the bliss of completeness through spiritual enlightenment. At first it gives you the feeling that you need “Light”. At the next stage, you feel that you are merging in “Light”. At the culminating stage, you feel that you are no more separated from “Light”—you and “Light” are one.
How Meditation Can Lead You To Spiritual Enlightenment
Have you ever found yourself struggling in meditation? You sit to meditate expecting bliss or enlightenment but instead all you really experience is frustration? That’s because the very attempt to get something out of meditation, blocks you from actually meditating.
Meditation is a bit like gardening, you plant some carrot seeds and then every day you water it, you pull the weeds, you nourish the carrot plant in every way you can. You don’t expect a carrot instantly. But out of love for gardening you do the work without expecting anything in return. And then one day to your surprise,there is the carrot, beautiful, orange and delicious. Same with meditation.
If you commit yourself to meditation without expecting anything in return; If you give yourself to this moment out of the love of giving. Because some days meditation will be challenging, some days meditation will be blissful and some days meditation will be a challenging surrender to the intensity that is here.
But simply by meditating and by nourishing your awareness in every way you can,one day, without even focusing on it, you could be reading a book or walking in the woods and suddenly there is an opening. Suddenly, bliss is radiating freely from your heart.
Enlightenment will happen without you thinking about it. Without you do anything on your part.
It arises on its own, at its own time, yet it arises also because you planted the seed and helped it grow.
And the best way to help your meditation grow into enlightenment is by sitting in the presence of an enlightened teacher, one who has mastered high states of meditation. Such a teacher naturally radiates a bliss(known as shaktipat) that can be felt by others. And so simply by sitting with them, you easily enter deep states of meditation.
But you can experience this same bliss by listening to a very unique Enlightenment CD. Simply by listening to beautiful meditation music, you effortlessly attain deep states of meditation and bliss.
Bhakti Yoga for Spiritual Enlightenment – Devotional Bhajan
HAMSA-YOGA.ORG Himalayan Master Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath. The flavor of devotion in India, called bhakti. Details about Anandamayi Ma, Mahavatar Babaji (Shiva-Goraksha-Babaji), and the Avatars of the Himalayas. The knowing of a true master. ***Yogiraj is considered an illumined living master and solar seer, and helps sincere practitioners of yogic meditation awaken to higher levels of consciousness through chakra awakening and esoteric practices of Himalayan yoga. Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath was born on May 10, 1944 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. He has been meditating since the age of 3, and spent his early years in the Himalayas amongst the HamsaNath yogis, in whose presence he was transformed. The divine transformation flowered after his deep and personal experiences in 1961 and 1967 with the yogi-christ Mahavatar Shiv-Goraksha-Babaji, the same spiritual master described in Yogananda´s Autobiography of a Yogi. He has a wife of 30+ years, Gurumata Shivangani, with whom he built by hand the Hamsa Yoga Sangh Ashram (Spiritual Retreat) outside the city of Pune, near Bombay, India. They have two sons, and two grandchildren. Yogiraj teaches yogic meditation for the evolution of human consciousness. These perennial practices of yoga are the most ancient closely guarded sacred practices of the Himalayan yogis and masters from time immemorial. They help the practitioner gradually transform him/herself into the likeness of his/her own divinity. This ancient art and …
Watch for more of Spiritual Enlightment in our BLOG!
Meditation Furniture
Gaiam Rattan Meditation Chair – Espresso finish
publisher: Gaiam
ASIN: B001GSD8K4
sales rank: 18610
price: $299.00 (new)
Rattan Meditation Chair
Now with a taller back, a more generous seat and a twice-as-thick cushion as before. Our best-selling meditation chair provides enhanced ergonomic support so you can sit longer and more comfortably. This meditation chair is made from eco-friendly rattan. Natural cotton-covered cushion with sustainable kapok fill is machine washable. Espresso or Natural (sold separately) finish. A Gaiam Exclusive! 34″W x 25½”D x 19½”H; Seat height is 8″.
Product Features:
- Tall back for ergonomic support
- Generous seat and thicker cushion allow you to sit more comfortably for longer
- Made from earth-friendly rattan
- Cushion covered in natural cotton and filled with sustainable kapok
- Machine washable cover
- Espresso color
- 34″W x 25½”D x 19½”H
- Seat height is 8″
- 28 lbs
Seagrass Harmony Meditation Chair – Natural with Flax Cushion (Xoticbrands)
ASIN: B004LZMW9C
sales rank: 297966
price: $395.00 (new)
Seagrass meditation chair is curved to provide space for the feet and more support for the knees when sitting in any of the cross legged poses. For variation you can also cross your ankles on the ground in front of the chair as well. The chair is available in either Natural or Expresso frame and weaving with either while or Flax cushion covers. Dimensions: 31″ w x 29″ d x23″ h Seat height: 8″ WITH CUSHION
publisher: Iverson Upholstery
ASIN: B002YOX9GW
sales rank: 12661
price: $70.00 (new)
Flip the seat up from the carrying position, then lock the bolt. Kneel, place the bench at your ankles, then sit and adjust bench for comfort. For meditation, prayer, or just sitting.
publisher: Reforest Teak
ASIN: B003H14IVQ
EAN: 0609722309561
sales rank: 177541
price: $149.00 (new)
Spice up your collection with this graceful Asian-style teak garden seat that will be a lovely addition to a serene corner of your outdoor setting. Inside, our single seat meditation bench is compact and versatile and makes a perfect, humidity resistant spa seat or steam bath stool for stacking accessories, towels and bath items.
Zen By Design – Meditation Chairs – Furniture For The Spirit
Zen By Design creates unique meditation chairs that align your spine for extended comfort.
publisher: D&D Futon Furniture
ASIN: B00420DYNY
EAN: 0011012349810
sales rank: 8480
price: $65.00 (new)
This brand new zabuton & Zafu set is an ideal for yoga, meditation and exercise practices, to use this zabuton on the floor for supporting, sitting and kneeling. As the floor cushions, you may use them to design your living styles, decorate your rooms, or to put them surrounding a tea table. For the sofa, you may put these cushions on the wooden sofa frame, they are maybe the seat cushions and back supporting cushions.
“OM MANI PADME HUM” Mantra Ring ~ White Metal w/ Red Ornaments ~ Includes Om Mani Ring Pouch
publisher: Shambala Shop
ASIN: B004I76ZJG
sales rank: 35713
price: $14.95 (new)
SANDALWOOD PRAYER BEADS ~ 108 Mantra Yoga Beads w/ Meditation Sleeve
publisher: Shambala Shop
ASIN: B0043NSHKK
sales rank: 285491
price: $17.95 (new)
Creating Your Own Private Meditation Room
Meditation rooms are not separate rooms all the time most of the time they are just secluded nooks, in someones home where one can be in total isolation to be able to think, relax and meditate. Having a private meditation room, however, is not something that has to be exclusive to yoga practitioners. You too can have your very own meditation room which you can use as a place just to sit back and get away from the fast-paced and stressful daily life that most of us live. Your meditation room can be your own hideaway, where you can breathe freely and gather your thoughts together.
When choosing your meditation room quietness and isolation are the primary qualities that a meditation room must have, No matter how small your home is it is possible to have a meditation room where you can have a bit of peaceful respite. If possible, just find a place to set it up that is a little out of the way in your home.
You could use your bedroom if you like as long as there are o distractions, or noise that would hinder your meditation or peacefulness! Any corner that can be made secluded can do, in fact. All you need to do, if your meditation room is not a separate room in itself, is to partition it creatively so you would not be bothered if you are inside your nook. For it is a zen feeling you are trying to achieve, and all you should worry about.
A meditation room does not require much in terms of furnishings, and as long as you are comfortable that’s all that should matter to you. The most essential piece of furniture is a comfortable chair that is wide enough for you to curl your legs in, and even at that, a chair is not that necessary. If space is a problem, a cushion can serve in its stead.
A CD player, however, may be necessary. It helps a lot to meditate while listening to soft, instrumental music, or perhaps to recorded natural sounds like the singing of the birds or the sound of the waves or the sound of the falling rain. Music is very helpful in getting you relaxed and in the right mind-frame.
How your meditation room is lighted may affect how well you focus and concentrate in clearing your mind here. The lighting you ought to install in your meditation room is something soft and subtle. Stay away from the harshly glowing fluorescent bulbs when you light your meditation room.
You do not have to decorate the walls. If you can paint the walls a neutral color, it would be best to do so. You do not need anything that can distract you from your meditation inside your meditation room. To set and enhance the mood, however, you can put shelves where you can place some scented candles or a vase of flowers or perhaps a figurine or two. A potted plant can help set the mood, too. These are all the decoration you would need for your meditation room.Your meditation room is ideally the one place in your house, if not in the whole world, where you can get away to relax and to clear your mind of anything that is bothering you. The one thing that will defeat this purpose is if you leave clutter in your meditation room.
No matter how busy you may be with your daily life, always find the time to keep your meditation room clean and free from clutter. Cleaning your meditation room may be seen as a form of meditation in itself. After all, the reason you have a meditation room is to keep your mind clear and unburned by chaos. To achieve that, you have to keep your meditation room clean and unburned by chaos as well.
Meditation Chairs & The Benefits Of Having One
Now, with meditation chairs, you can easily enhance the experience of exploration. This unique chair gives you an opportunity to sit in a relaxed and comfortable position when you are engaged in a relaxation session, being totally comfortable is very important so really think about whats important to you and your quiet space.
A meditation chair will help you a lot in enhancing your knowledge related to meditation and also meditating in the right form. People with problems inflexibility or restricted flexibility, this chair provide a comfortable alternative to sitting on the floor.People who have just begun with their meditation practice will definitely find this chair, a great way of increasing concentration level.
You can easily get different types of meditation chairs available on the market, you would find an amazing variety of meditation benches, inflatable cushions and even ergonomically designed to fit chairs.With a meditation chair, you can easily sit straight and that too without putting too much pressure on your back. A meditation chair lets you provide adequate support to the back and also helps you to remain in the best possible upright position.
Most companies have started providing quality meditation supplies. They are also manufacturing inflatable cushions, portable meditation chairs and folding benches. Now, with so much of variety, you can easily focus on meditation in any environment.
You must consider investing in a good portable meditation chair, this will help you in meditating even while you travel.
Meditation will be possible only when the mind and body is in harmony, when you face any sort of physical discomfort, you will not experience the best of meditation. Your mind will instead turn to the discomfort you are feeling. You need to be as comfortable as possible in order to expand, your consciousness and obtain good clarity of mind. You also require to sit at a single position for a longer period of time, this usually causes a lot of distress and cramping in the body.
Meditation chairs are specially designed for adequate support and alignment one requires in order to obtain the maximum out of your meditation experience. Remember that an ordinary chair will never work towards providing you the same ease as a meditation chair.
If you are about to purchase a meditation chair for yourself, there are certain things you need to take in to consideration. You need to focus on buying a meditation chair that has a slight forward angle, this will prevent you from slumping while you meditate. Also take care that the chair is not too steeply angled, too much of a steep angle will result in over-arching. A good meditation chair will not angle more than just a few inches. The best option for you would be to purchase a meditation chair that you can easily adjust as per your body weight, height and comfort level. Take advice from an experienced person in this field, if at all possible as this will make your purchase a good one.
If you are keen on practicing Zen meditation, then nothing would be better for you than a proper meditation chair. You can find the best meditation chairs online or a spiritual store, and with a little detailed research on your part. Try a few out and you will know which is just right for you!
Watch our Blog for more information on Meditations!
Attitude of Gratitude
Attitude of Gratitude Meditations
When looking for meditations I could share with you about gratitude I found these 3 little gems…hope you enjoy them as much as I did!!!
We have so much to be thankful for in our lives yet we often take the time to show gratitude! If you want to receive you must be grateful!!
I also wanted to thank all our readers for their patience while we moved our office…it was a couple of busy and stressful weeks but we are back and happy to be posting again!! We are grateful to be able to share our love of meditation, inspiration and decoration with you!!
Thankful Thursday Gratitude Meditation #1 – Winter Tranquility
www.HomeSpaGoddess.com Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Start a weekly gratitude practice by watching Thankful Thursday´s with Denise from HomeSpaGoddess.com! This week watch the show first and then the meditation Thankful Thursday Gratitude Meditation #1 – Winter Tranquility This weeks links: Gratitude Power Kits www.gratitudepower.net How to Live in the Land of Enough
Thankful Thursday Gratitude Meditation #2 – Winter Serenity
www.HomeSpaGoddess.com Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Start a weekly gratitude practice by watching Thankful Thursday´s with Denise from HomeSpaGoddess.com! Thankful Thursday Gratitude Meditation #2 – Winter Serenity
Thankful Thursday Gratitude Meditation #3 – Winter Calm
www.HomeSpaGoddess.com Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Start a weekly gratitude practice by watching Thankful Thursday´s with Denise from HomeSpaGoddess.com! Thankful Thursday Gratitude Meditation #3 – Winter Calm
Special thanks to HomeSpaGoddess.com for these videos, we are grateful ![]()
The ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE!!
Many people mistakenly believe that meditation is a passive activity in which a person simply empties their mind of all thoughts, and sits doing nothing but mindless breathing exercises. While this may be how some people practice meditation, it is not meditation in the true sense. Meditation is never a passive activity. Of course, in order to enter a true meditative state, you must quiet your conscious or objective mind, but this is done for a distinct purpose. And, there are techniques which actively quiet the objective mind. These are not used to put a person into a mindless state, however, they are done to help the practitioner contact their higher mind. This is often referred to as entering the silence. However, it is what one does when they enter the silence that determines whether one is meditating, or simply entering a mindless, hypnotic trance.
True meditation happens when we enter the silence and then attempt conscious awareness, without reengaging the objective mind. This is difficult to do. However, there are techniques that even a beginner can use to increase their awareness when they enter the silence, without waking up the objective mind. One good technique is to use a mantra or prayer that is short enough to remember, so that it can be repeated slowly in your mind. For example, if you are a Christian, you could repeat the phrase “no longer I, but Christ who lives within me.” As you repeat the phrase, say each word slowly, trying as best as you can to feel the meaning and significance of each word. Link your mind, or thoughts, to your heart, or emotions. Then, try to visualize what each word means, again linking a feeling to the picture you create in your mind. Don’t worry if you struggle with visualization; many people, (myself included), struggle with it. Do not let that be a barrier, continue practicing visualizing, and linking your thoughts with your feelings.
After you complete your meditation, journal the experience, and reflect on it critically, but without judgment. Ask yourself questions, and see if any insights emerge. Whatever you discover, write them down.
And lastly, be normal. Do not imagine you are special because you are practicing meditation. You are special because you are a child of God, but then again we all are, so that is nothing to boast about. Always approach meditation with a sense of humility, love, gratitude, and praise. If you do this, you will truly meditate and your life will be abundantly blessed.
As you can see, meditation is an active practice, designed to quiet the objective mind, and bring you into contact with the Divine Mind, The Power of the Spirit.
Yes, it might feel great to win the lottery. Money, houses, travel – these are wonderful, but not enough by themselves. You need the right frame of mind to fully enjoy life. You need the attitude of gratitude.
Be Grateful
Life is better when you feel blessed, when you can look around and say “Thank you, God.” Religious or not, when you see life as a wonderful gift, your experience is a richer one than any amount of money can provide. Imagine going through life like you’re a child, and every morning is Christmas.
It’s tempting to think gratitude comes from having what you want. You see yourself giving thanks if you had money, a loving family, and maybe a house on the beach. Still, you know there are ungrateful, unhappy people with these things, and poor people full of gratitude for what little they have. Where does this feeling come from?
Creating Gratitude
Gratitude arises from how you look at things. It is the natural feeling that comes from truly appreciating the people and things in your life. It is also something you can learn.
First, you have to stop and smell the roses. You can’t be thankful for something you don’t notice or enjoy. Roses really do smell great, by the way.
Then, you need to make this appreciative approach to roses and life a habit. There’s no need to ignore the ugliness in the world, but you have to habitually see the beautiful things.
Start writing down every positive thing that happens to you, and all the things you like. Do this until you start automatically seeing the good things in life. If you’ve ever bought a white car, and started seeing white cars all over, you know how awareness can alter your perception of reality. To see wonderful things all over, train yourself to look for them.
When you are in the habit of “counting your blessings,” gratitude, and a much richer experience of life is the natural result.
In its simplest form Prayer is speaking with God/Spirit/Universe and Meditation is listening to God/Spirit/Universe. The Universe works on the principle that you ASK and it is GIVEN. So prayer is a time for asking, whether for yourself or for others. It is also a time for praise & thanksgiving, which is also called appreciation & gratitude. Here you are giving thanks and/or marveling at the wonder of your fabulous life. It is energy directed out of you. You can speak your prayers aloud or silently in your mind. It doesn’t matter to the God/Spirit/Universe.
Meditation is the listening part. You see, G/S/U speaks to us through intuition. We need to have good inner listening, which gets clearer when you meditate. Now, listening is a relatively passive activity and is not embraced nor encouraged by your ego/conscious mind. So the goal is to quiet your mind and get it to go away. You want to empty your mind of thoughts. This is energy directed in you. When your mind is empty, that is when God/Spirit/Universe can speak to you.
So that’s the bare bones of the two. Both expand as your practice them. But here are some suggestions for success in each:
Prayer: Keep a prayer journal. This helps you to see what has come to pass that you have prayed for. If you wrote a list of the 5 favorite things in your life right now, you’d realize they were all prayers of yours, not so long ago. Therefore you know prayers are answered. So will be the ones you are praying now.
Meditation: Set yourself up for success by turning off the TV and the phone first.Find a very comfortable spot and set an alarm that beeps to let you know you are finished.
Exercising and maintaining an attitude of gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to incorporate the Law of Attraction into your life. As we know, the Law of Attraction is a universal law. It can be described in the phrase “like attracts like.” Because of the Law of Attraction, you will attract similar thoughts to the ones that you are thinking. Whether those thoughts are negative or positive, they will attract the same types of thoughts.
The attitude of gratitude seems like such a simple phrase, but the powers that are represented by that simple phrase can bring a multitude of things to the person who knows how to use those powers along with the Law of Attraction. Many times a person will try to use this law to benefit their life. Perhaps they are searching for meaning, or maybe they want to improve their finances. Let’s say this person starts to repeat affirmations aloud every day, twice a day. This person also tries meditation and they might even make a list of goals. But for some reason, this person doesn’t feel as if their efforts are working.
This is where the attitude of gratitude comes in. Sometimes, for different reasons, no matter how much a person tries to do the right things; they still have a negative mindset, even if they repeat positive phrases over and over. No amount of repetition is going to work if you have a negative mindset while doing the repetitions. This is exactly when the attitude of gratitude is needed most. Having an attitude of gratitude puts your mind on a more positive track. The attitude of gratitude gets you into the mindset and frequency that you need in order to receive the things that you are trying to get by using affirmations and meditation.
Even if a person makes a list of goals that they want to accomplish, if they are stuck in a negative mindset, the goals will not end up in them receiving what they want. By implementing an attitude of gratitude, they can break the cycle of negativity and start to operate on a positive vibration that will allow them to turn their desires into a reality.
Examples of ways to incorporate an attitude of gratitude within yourself include expressing gratitude for everything that you have. When you wake up in the morning, express your gratitude. Say thank you out loud for your bed, for your room for the food that you eat, and for the water that comes out of your tap.
Express gratitude for everything that you have, and while you do so, feel the happy and warm feelings that come with having gratitude. This is the way to get on the right track in order for your subconscious mind to be able to receive the things that you have been wanting and trying to receive through other techniques. Utilizing an attitude of gratitude in your daily life is the best way to make sure that you are on the right wavelength to receive everything that the universe sends to you.
Watch our BLOG for more meditations coming!!
Today's Meditation
This is the first meditation of the year, 2012 has so much to offer we need to remember to manifest our desires.I found this wonderful guided meditation to bring in 2012!!
2012 Meditation – Manifesting 5D SOLARA AN-RA
Happy 2012 my dearest Light tribe of Gaia! What a year it has been and what a year to come … 2012 is here at last! My guides gave me this meditation in my morning meditation today, and it felt bliss-ful — I hope it feels that way to you also. The music is by Robert Haig Coxon. For the free download and/or the written transcript, see here: www.solara.org.uk Love love love Solara An-Ra Goddess of the Light
Here is another meditation that I find helps refresh body, soul and mind…and since it is a new year it is time to send out the old to make way for the new, in ALL area’s of your life!
Brief Grounding Of An Idea: A Guided Meditation For You
Copyright 2006 Marshall House
Purpose of this Meditation
The purpose of this guided meditation is to help you to ground an idea. That is, to help an idea of your choosing to manifest. In my view, it is easy to have an idea, even a brilliant idea; it is not so easy to manifest it if our contradictory thoughts get in the way.
Instructions
Find a comfortable place, sitting or lying down, where you can be fully relaxed and open to the ideas and energy of this guided meditation. After settling down and before reading, take three long, deep breaths to calm and empty yourself.
Reading this Meditation
This guided meditation is designed for you to read aloud to yourself or to someone else. For yourself, you may find that creating an audio tape recording is particularly effective. Speed reading this meditation will not accelerate spiritual progress! In fact, speaking slowly in a monotone is beneficial when guiding this meditation, even though such an approach is generally frowned upon in public speaking.
The designation “……” indicates a pause, during which you may choose to be quiet or close your eyes and experience whatever comes to you. The …… may look awkward as you glance at the page. However, when you are reading the meditation, it serves as a reminder to slow down generally and pause at that place.
During the meditation, you will be instructed to identify an idea you want to manifest, which will then be referred to as (your idea). In place of (your idea), read or think the idea you have identified or read “your idea” if you are reading this to someone else.
The Meditation: Brief Grounding of an Idea
Breathe in your essence. Your essence is who you are. Your essence is pure and clear. …… Receive it. …… Let it flow downward through your body, through the various layers and levels of who you are. ……
Let energy flow from the spiritual layer downward through the mental layer, into the emotional layer and then into the physical layer. This is the direction for manifestation. Experience energy as it flows from the top down. ……
Anchor the energy by moving it down through the body, through these layers and levels, down to the feet. …… Linger at the feet so this magnificent energy from above becomes so familiar to the feet that you know easily when to step forward, move back, or stand still. …… Let your feet continue to vibrate so they place you exactly where you need to be, when you need to be there. ……
From your feet, follow the energy further down, into the earth, and then down into the center of the earth. …… Anchor the energy at the center. You may find it helpful to envision tying a knot in the center of the earth with a cord that flows downward with the energy. ……
Once again, open at the top to allow vibrant energy to flow into the energy field and flow downward. ……
Now, shift your attention to the bottom of your energy field and change the direction of the flow of energy. By opening at the soles of your feet and the base of your spine, you welcome up the earth�s vibration. …… Rich, thick, beautiful energy from Mother Earth flows upward. …… It flows up to support you, …… to bring the essence of the ground up to you, …… to help you know, without a doubt, that you are in the right place at the right time. ……
Align now with your life mission and higher purpose. …… Also align with your intention for the idea that you wish to manifest. …… Take all the time you need to identify the mission, purpose, and intention. …… Relax. ……
Now, name an idea that you want to manifest. …… Notice if it is solid enough to be brought into manifestation. …… Make it more solid and dense, if needed, by drawing more Mother Earth energy into it. …… As soon as you have named this idea, relax into the energy that flows from the top down. …… Relax and open. ……
Focus your attention at the top of your head. …… Envision (your idea) at the top of your head. …… Slowly, allow (your idea) to move downward, down through the layers and levels, down to the feet, and down into the center of the earth. …… Notice any resistance or heaviness or discomfort. …… Ask (your idea) if it wants to manifest in your life. Listen to the answer. ……
Rather than trying to force (your idea) to manifest, observe if (your idea) flows into the earth, easily and effortlessly. You will not benefit by trying to manipulate (your idea); instead, be in the flow. Notice and appreciate. ……
Notice if you remain grounded in this process. Notice if (your idea) is grounded, joyous, ready. If not, let it go! If so, let it go! If it wants to change, let it change.
When both you and (your idea) are joyous, (your idea) manifests in your life!
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Jeanie Marshall, Empowerment Consultant and Coach with Marshall House, produces Guided Meditations on CD albums and MP3 downloads and writes extensively on subjects related to personal development and empowerment.
Voice of Jeanie Marshall, www.jmvoice.com
Today’s Inspirational Pictures
Today’s Inspirational Quotes
A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her. ~David Brinkley
Follow your inner moonlight. ~A. Ginsberg
I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it. ~Pablo Picasso
What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. ~Eleanor Powell
Today’s Decorations
Desert Angel Figurine
publisher: Online Discount Mart
ASIN: B001L46NWI
sales rank: 96820
price: $34.99 (new)
Appearing to rise from the windblown desert sand, a gentle angel folds her arms and cups her wings in reverent prayer. An earthy spiritual decoration to display with pride! Polyresin. 4 1/2 inches x 2 3/8 inches x 9 1/4 inches high.
Accents & Occasions Angel Statue, 16-Inch Tall
publisher: Napco Inc
ASIN: B002O1788K
EAN: 0099278185748
sales rank: 259785
price: $44.37 (new)
Accents & Occasions Angel Figure Statue brings a reminder of faith and blessings to your home and décor.
St. Michael The Archangel Bronze Look Statue Saint
publisher: Pacific Trading
ASIN: B000O3J9NM
EAN: 0726549071089
sales rank: 44498
price: $35.50 (new)
This statue, “St. Michael” depicts the archangel Michael entrenched in battle with Lucifer. The statue stands 15 inches tall, is 10 inches wide and 5 inches deep. Made of cold cast resin, it has a metallic bronzed finish, and has hand-painted accents, to give it the look of metal. The detail is incredible, from the individual feathers on Michael’s wings, to the look of disgust on Lucifer’s face.
Angel of Grief Monument Statue
publisher: Design Toscano
ASIN: B001QY75LQ
EAN: 0846092002993
sales rank: 17594
price: $49.95 (new)
From her delicate wings and arms to the tendrils at the nape of her neck, the detail of this exclusive, designer resin Victorian angel is amazing. Inspired by the monument that American poet and sculptor William Wetmore Story designed as an homage to his wife Emelyn, our desktop version features a raised lettered message reminding you to celebrate life. The inscription reads: “The bud was spread to show the rose our Saviour smiled the bud was closed. Anon” Desktop: 3and 1/2″Wx7and 1/2″Dx7and 1/2″H. 2 lbs.
Littlest Angel Figurine
publisher: Online Discount Mart
ASIN: B001G2GEH4
sales rank: 94296
price: $8.88 (new)
A plump-cheeked cherub settles upon her rose-petal perch, tiny wings beating as she shares the beauty of a fresh-picked tulip with her feathered companion. This darling statuette is the very image of a child’s innocence and grace, beautifully captured for lasting enjoyment. Polystone. 2 3/4 inches x 3 inches x 4 inches high.
Watch our BLOG for Meditations each week!!
Today's Meditation - Basics
Today’s Meditation – Basics
Today we are doing things a little different, we have had some emails from a couple people that really really wanted to meditate but kept saying that they “could NOT shut off their brain” So we have went back to basics today to try and help with that!
We also added a technique video and some more meditation supplies. Enjoy!
Namaste! TandS
Today’s Meditation
“Just close your eyes and count your breaths,” they say. How simple can it be? “Don’t think about anything else though. Just concentrate on your breathing.” Well, anyone who has tried this “simple” meditation knows that it just isn’t that easy.
There are many obstacles to this seemingly effortless task. Our minds tend to wander naturally. If we try to completely focus on anything for more than a few seconds, random thoughts take over. And breathing is boring; let’s face it. How can you concentrate on something so mundane when there are much more interesting things racing around in your head?
A typical session might go like this: I close my eyes, sit comfortably, and begin counting. Inhale one, inhale two, inhale… “Am I doing this right? I guess so, I’m already on… oh three.” Inhale four… “Now, am I supposed to start over at one or just keep going?” Inhale one, inhale two, inhale three, inhale four. “Wow, I’m really getting the hang of this. Oops.” Inhale one, inhale two… “Did I remember to pay the phone bill? I’m sure I did. I’m really good at staying on top of my bills. Not like Susan, she’s always… Darn, I did it again.” Inhale one, inhale two…
The good news is it does get better with practice. The bad news is it can still be a struggle for experienced meditaters, especially during busy or turbulent periods in one’s life. Luckily, there is more good news. There are some specific things you can do to help you focus and reduce the frustration in your meditation practice. In this article, I would like to offer three tips to help you with your practice. They are: Observe don’t control, be compassionate, and enjoy yourself.
First, don’t force or try to control your breathing. This is a mistake that a lot of beginners make. Many inexperienced meditaters consciously or unconsciously alter their breathing in an effort to focus on it. What results is an exaggerated and often irregular breathing pattern. This can actually inhibit your meditation rather than help it.
What you want to do is just “watch” your breathing. You don’t have to exert any additional effort at all. If you just wait and observe, you will breathe. Then, you can count. Of course, we all know this but many people still find themselves forcing it. If you catch yourself controlling your breaths, just gently remind yourself that it’s not necessary and then wait for the next breath to come naturally.
This brings me to the next tip, compassion. In this case I mean for yourself in your meditation practice. As we’ve been discussing, it’s not an easy thing to do to concentrate on one’s breath. It’s very important not to scold yourself when your mind wanders or you catch yourself controlling your breathing. If you think about it, the time you would spend reprimanding yourself for breaking your focus is just more time away from your meditation. It is best to softly bring yourself back to your practice as soon as you notice you’re wavering. Don’t get down on yourself and start thinking, “I can’t do this. This is never going to work for me.” These negative thoughts do nothing to help your practice and waste valuable time. Be compassionate. Just brush it off and return to your meditation.
Another way to look at these wanderings is to realize that they are an important part of your progression. Meditation is a skill. And like most skills, it requires practice. A baseball player doesn’t step into the batter’s box for the first time and start hitting home runs. He makes mistakes and corrections, and improves over time. He can then gauge his progress by the reduction of errors. Even after he is an experienced batsman, he will still strike out more often than he would like. But his hits should increase as well.
In your meditation practice, your mind will likely wander more in the beginning. But don’t give up. It will get better. Just like the baseball player, you will realize fewer mistakes over time and you will learn to recover from them more quickly. Sure, you will still have challenges and even slumps from time to time but you will also have more successes.
The final tip I would like to offer is to find enjoyment in your practice. Even though it may be tough at times, daily meditation can greatly enhance your life. Don’t rate yourself and expect to progress or improve to a particular degree or within a particular time frame. Unlike baseball, mediation is a life-long experience. Remember, this is your time. Let it be your oasis not a chore. No matter what else is going on in your life, your meditation time can be your escape. As a Zen master once said, “It’s just you and your breath and then it’s just your breath.” Breathe in, breathe out, and forget about the world around you. Even when you’re busy or preoccupied with some problem, even if you can only find ten or fifteen minutes to be alone with your breath, enjoy it.
I hope these tips will help you to enhance your meditation experience. They have certainly proved to be invaluable in my own practice over the years. Of course I still struggle from time to time with the very same issues we’ve discussed here. But through observing rather than controlling, being compassionate to myself when I falter, and enjoying my special time alone; I have made my life fuller and happier.
Meditation Basics
As it says in the introduction, this is a portion of ”On Solid Ground – A Practical Look at an Ancient Practice” that I could not include due to the size of the file. In any event, I decided to release it as a single. Mediation skills can be a great asset in your personal and spiritual life. Relaxation techniques are used extensively in several ways to impove our standard of living. This is my take on the basics of meditation. I hope you enjoy it! Adrian.
Meditation Kit: Traditional Tools to Awaken the Soul
publisher: Mandala Publishing, published: 2007-04-25
ASIN: 1932771948
EAN: 9781932771947
sales rank: 957551
price: $22.54 (new), $22.54 (used)
This kit offers easy-to-use daily tools to support personal spiritual practice. Ideal for both long-term personal use and gift-giving, Meditation Kit includes a brass bell, an incense and incense holder, a sandalwood chanting mala and silk cloth, an achman cup and spoon (for purification of the hands and body prior to meditation), and a tilak, or sacred clay. There is also a CD with chanted mantras, a 28-page guide to mantra meditation, and even a deck of worship cards full of rich, traditional art and ancient Sanskrit prayers (and translations). This revised edition, designed for both the novice and the experienced practitioner, includes eight new meditation cards to help guide the seeker to the desired state of awareness, relaxation, and inner peace.
Buckwheat Zafu and Zabuton Meditation Cushion Set (2pc), Burgundy
publisher: ZafuStore
ASIN: B000VR0F7U
sales rank: 56329
price: $87.95 (new)
Our zafu is a round traditional meditation cushion with pleated sides. The cover is made of cotton twill fabric. The zafu is stuffed with buckwheat hulls and is adjustable with zipper opening. All our zafus are double-stitched for extra strength and come with a carrying handle. Each zafu is approximately 14″ in diameter and 7″ in height and and weight 7 lbs. The zabuton is filled with natural kapok. The kapok is packed to provide solid support, and yet is soft and comfort. The outer cover is made of cotton twill fabric and has a zipper along one length so that it can be easily removed and washed. Inside the cover, the kapok is enclosed in a casing. Each zabuton is approximately 30″ long by 28″ wide and may fits people up to 5′ 10″ tall.
RUDRAKSHA WRIST MALA w/ Anahata Chakra Mala Bag ~ India Yoga Meditation Prayer Beads
publisher: Shambala Shop
ASIN: B00474OOV6
sales rank: 2743
price: $13.95 (new)
OM YOGA MEDITATION SHAWL ~ India Yoga Accessories ~ 25″ x 72″
publisher: Shambala Shop
ASIN: B004RV2QX2
sales rank: 147630
price: $26.00 (new)
Buckwheat Zafu, Zabuton and Support Meditation Cushions Set (4Pc), Dark Navy
publisher: ZafuStore
ASIN: B000GL4KG8
sales rank: 187534
price: $112.95 (new)
Our zafu is a round traditional meditation cushion with pleated sides. The cover is made of cotton twill fabric. The zafu is stuffed with buckwheat hulls and is adjustable with zipper opening. All our zafus are double-stitched for extra strength and come with a carrying handle. Each zafu is approximately 14″ in diameter and 7″ in height and and weight 7 lbs. The zabuton is filled with natural kapok. The kapok is packed to provide solid support, and yet is soft and comfort. The outer cover is made of cotton twill fabric and has a zipper along one length so that it can be easily removed and washed. Inside the cover, the kapok is enclosed in a casing. Each zabuton is approximately 30″ long by 28″ wide and may fits people up to 5′ 10″ tall. The square support cushion is designed to tip your zafu a bit forward or to be placed under a knee or ankle. The outer cover is made of cotton twill fabric. Each support cushion is 14″ long by 14″ wide and is stuffed with natural kapok batting. The small support cushion is for use as a leg or hand support. The outer cover is made of cotton twill fabric. Each support cushion is 14″ long by 8″ wide and is stuffed with natural kapok batting.
Golden Bodhi Travel Altar Box
ASIN: B001N9IY14
sales rank: 94362
price: $26.95 (new)
The beautiful hand gilded leaf that graces the top of this box is a bodhi leaf, the Buddhist symbol for pure and boundless wisdom. Open the box and an assortment of enlightening treasures can be found including an herbal Buddha, greeting scarf, votive, herbal mala, nag champa incense and burner
Today’s inspiration
Today’s Decoration
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