#meditate — Public Fediverse posts

The Gift of Slowing Down

A Sunday Softening Practice

As the years flow ever onward, I continue to seek quiet and calm—a softer pace, a slower life.

The moments of stillness heal and refresh my spirit, allowing that sense of calm to flow into other areas of my life.

I caution you, dear reader, though: do not believe for a moment that I am calm, cool, and collected at all times. I lose my temper. I become frustrated. I get overwhelmed. I have moments when I am anything but serene.

And that’s okay.

These moments of intense emotion are completely normal and natural. We all have our triggers, those little things that catch us off guard and remind us, Ah, yes. This is where I still have some work to do.

Growth isn’t a destination. It is a continual unfolding.

And sometimes, the best thing we can do for ourselves is simply create a little more space within which that growth can happen.

The pace of modern life can make that difficult. There is always something competing for our attention. Another notification. Another headline. Another message. Another life to look at through a screen.

For this reason, I continue to limit my time on social media.

Less time scrolling and more time with my dog, with family and friends, with good books and cozy cups of tea. More time noticing the warmth of summer, the smell of the woods, the sound of birds. More time immersed in the moments of my own life, rather than scrolling past the lives of others.

This has become one of the most beneficial gifts I can give myself:

The gift of attention.
The gift of noticing.

When I slow down enough to notice, I find small moments of wonder everywhere.

A shaft of sunlight falling across the floor.

The warmth of a cup held between my hands.

The sound of birds outside the window.

A walk through the woods.

My dog’s ridiculous happiness at something I will never understand.

None of these moments are particularly extraordinary. And yet, together, they make up a life.

There is a simple, exquisite joy in actually being here for it.

And it is often in these moments that I realize how little my frustration and impatience accomplish. Being angry about how life is unfolding does not change its unfolding. Worrying about what has already happened does not change the past. Trying to hurry what isn’t ready to happen only creates more tension within me.

If only it were as easy to remember this in the middle of turmoil as it is when I am sitting quietly with a cup of tea.

So I pause.

I notice.

I ask myself what is truly deserving of my attention—and what isn’t.

I step away from habits that leave me feeling scattered and make room for the things that bring me back to myself.

And slowly, I begin again.

More deliberately.
More intentionally.
More authentically.

Perhaps this is what slowing down really means.

It isn’t necessarily about doing less. It is about being more fully present for what we are already doing.

It is choosing to taste the coffee instead of drinking it while answering emails.

It is taking the long way home because the evening light is beautiful.

It is reading a few pages of a book instead of reaching automatically for the phone.

It is sitting quietly with your dog.

It is allowing yourself to rest without feeling that rest must be earned.

It is noticing.

It is allowing yourself to arrive fully in the life that is already happening around you.

And perhaps that is the greatest gift we can give ourselves—not another goal to accomplish, but the opportunity to actually experience our lives as they unfold.

A Guided Meditation for Slowing Down and Living Deliberately

If you’d like to take this idea a little further, I created a guided meditation to accompany this reflection.

This gentle practice is an invitation to step away from the noise for a little while—to soften, become still, and reconnect with the simple beauty of being present.

We slow the breath, settle into the body, and explore what it might feel like to move through life with a little more intention and a little less urgency.

So find a comfortable place, press play, and give yourself permission to simply be here for a while.

You don’t have to accomplish anything.
You don’t have to get anywhere.
You can simply slow down and notice.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ECKQm5lhBwLzt9U2M2Fer?si=hmClvZCuQhqBYbAKp_1uMg

I WANTED GOD BY FRIDAY 💎

When I was young, I wanted the truth passionately.

I read all the books.

I listened to all the teachers.

I really tried to meditate.

I tried to forgive, though it was traditional forgiveness rather than ACIM forgiveness.

I had tried hard to become peaceful.

Ha!

Sometimes I even became quite good at the practice.

Then pride would enter the field and ravage everything.

It was not real yet.

I was too busy being young.

Too hungry.

Too frightened.

Too unhappy.

Too caught in the body, the world, sex, food, ambition, approval, and the endless hope that something or someone outside me would finally make life feel complete.

Preferably by Friday.

Unbeknownst to me, I was trying to get out of life before I had properly lived it.

That was a mistake.

Young people are not supposed to spend all their time trying to escape the world.

They should be f**king each other.

Making new art.

Creating new music.

Building new things.

Making old mistakes.

Loving badly, then better.

Getting their hearts broken.

Buying furniture that they already know they will regret.

Learning what matters by wasting enormous amounts of time on what does not.

That is practically the entire curriculum.

The practice came later for me.

Much later.

Not because I finally became spiritually special.

Because I finally became ready.

The body changed.

Appetite changed.

The need to be someone began to loosen its grip.

Life had already had its way with me.

Repeatedly.

Profoundly.

Without asking anybody’s permission.

And now, near the end of this life, looking toward the exit does not feel dramatic or sad.

There is no white robe.

No celestial choir.

No soft lighting.

It feels simple.

I am already halfway there.

I may as well breathe consciously and enjoy the view.

#truth #books #teachers #meditate #forgiveness #peaceful #practice #pride #young #world #choir #fasting #acim #acourseinmiracles #newthought #eckharttolle #buddhism #breathwork #connection #healing #pridemonth #Karma #TrueNature #Awakening #Meditation #Mindfulness #Spirituality #intermittentfasting #nonduality #reality #life #quantum #kitchen #cooking #AI

Time to take a break~ Remind yourself: to Get your Daily dose and Reset!

Get up & practice a little bit of self-care—Today!! 🌺
Because you’re important, too~! 🌸🌼

Remember,
Relax, Reset… 🧘

Enjoy!

https://asimplelifesolution.com/reset

#reset #findyourself #energywork #selfcarepractice #loveyourself #resources #love #meditate #water #selfcare #hydrate #liveagain

The Golden Lotus of Protection

The lotus flower is a powerful symbol with rich meanings across various cultures and traditions. Here are some key aspects of its symbology:

1. Purity: The lotus grows in muddy waters yet rises above the surface to bloom beautifully. This transformation represents purity of body, heart, and mind, embodying the idea that individuals can rise above challenges and impurities in life.
2. Enlightenment: In many Eastern philosophies, the lotus is associated with spiritual awakening and enlightenment, particularly in Buddhism. The unfolding petals of the lotus symbolize the expansion of the soul and its journey towards enlightenment.
3. Resilience: The lotus is known for its resilience and ability to thrive in harsh conditions. This quality reminds us of strength and perseverance, inspiring us to overcome adversity.
4. Rebirth: The life cycle of the lotus, from mud to bloom, signifies rebirth and new beginnings. It often represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth in various spiritual contexts.
5. Spirituality: In Hinduism, the lotus is a sacred flower, often seen as a seat of gods and goddesses such as Lakshmi and Saraswati. It symbolizes divine beauty, spiritual awakening, and the blossoming of one’s inner self.

Thi intriguing flower symbolizes purity, enlightenment, resilience, rebirth, and spirituality. It encourages us to rise above challenges and embrace our potential, making it a revered symbol in various cultures worldwide.

The Golden Lotus Of Protection Meditation

This meditation warmly invites you to connect with the ancient symbol of the lotus, a beautiful representation of purity and enlightenment. It gently supports you in clearing your energy and offering protection as you navigate challenging situations and interactions with others. This meditation harnesses the power of visualization and positive affirmations to create a sense of safety and calm. Take a moment for this quick and easy meditation, whether sitting at your desk or in your kitchen. It’s a mindful pause dedicated to your self-preservation and love.

Music by Marua ten Hoopen

Listen exclusively on Insight Timer

#awareness #balance #beginnerMeditation #energyWork #energyhealing #experience #flow #healiingEnergy #healing #lotusProtection #meditate #meditation #mindful #mindfulness #moments

Zen Meditation: How to Meditate Using a Mantra. ☯️🕉 An overview of a basic meditation technique and sitting postion. Taken from a Dharma Talk given by Zen Master Sebastian Rizzon on 6/15/2023. https://youtu.be/hIzSj8IeQ1E @buddhism @dharma @dhamma #zen #zenmaster #dharma #buddhist #Buddha #meditation #meditate #buddhism #mind #heart #mantra #bodhisatva #kwanseumbosal #guanseumbosal #spirituality #spiritualjourney #compassion #zenstories #selfhelp #knowledge #wisdom #mentalhealth #love #compassion #focus

Lost Temple Buddhism on Instagram: "💀 🙏
/
/
/
#buddha #buddhist #buddhism #woke #awaken #humble #happy #peace #meditate #meditation #practice #health #healthy #destination #travel #traveller #mindfulness #mindfullness #mindfull #joy #dharma #RecoveryDharma #yoga #zen #enlighten #enlightenment #bodhisattva #bodhi #love #freedom #breathwork"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CANw3LUjh-L/

Look, I'm here for all the experimental, not yet fine tuned ways of introducing ourselves.
So this hashtag intro thing? Of course I'm going to jump on board.

Things I do for my mind
#meditate
#longwalks
#music
#cook

Things I do for my heart
#filmmaking
#photography
#pottery
#painting
#gettogethers with friends
#familytime

Things I do for my soul
#write
#write
#write

Things I do to pay the bills
#noneoftheabove

******************************************
#writer #auswriters #writingcommunity #amwriters #tootwriters #mastowriters #poet #poetry #author