My Personal Practice
I’m a big believer in fluidity & that our meditation practice shifts as we shift. My meditation journey started as a tool for inspiration. Feeling aligned & lit up was what I intuitively came to the cushion for. Today – I crave the restorative part of the practice to help balance all the chaos that’s been swirling around me. A year from now, my meditation may look completely different. Moving from inspiration to relaxation to…who knows what!? Although the technical aspects of my practice tends to vary (i.e. which meditation technique I use), there are a few key elements I stick to cuz they just feel so darn good.
My fav techniques
mindfulness (i.e. following the natural rhyme of the breath & becoming aware of whatever may be arising – physically, emotionally or mentally)
mantra (repetition of a word or phrase. Normally in Sanskrit, sometimes English translations)
loving kindness (sending wishes of well-being to yourself & others)
My go-to spot
medi cushion/alter
bed (sitting up & resting against the bedframe)
parked car
…honestly wherever. I get it done when I can
My fav time
Morning is my absolute favorite time to meditate. It’s a time of day that has always meant a lot to me in terms of setting the tone for my day. That being said, I also love to fit a sweat sesh in the early am, so if I’m at the gym or the yoga studio – my morning meditation will get pushed until just before lunch time.
My second practice takes place in the afternoon or right before bed.
My intention is to practice 2x/day for 25 minutes each session. I spent years building up to this, like anything it didn’t just happen overnight. 25 minutes is the time that’s been feeling sooo good right now for me. It started with 5 minutes, then grew over time with patience, practice, and consistency.
On a personal note, I’m currently living with one of my immediate family members who has dementia. The nature of dementia is to forget & repeat, therefore, my meditation often gets interrupted by questions and the need to soothe confusion. A big part of meditation is learning how to respond kindly, as opposed to reacting blindly. If anything, abruptly being taken out of your practice is a reminder & a test to live your meditation (the compassion, kindness & patience you cultivate) even when things don’t go your way. It’s a call for real-life meditation. The reason why we practice. It’s fragmented and that is ok. Same goes for if your kiddos come running in, your dog starts to bark, or the phone rings. Interruptions does not equal a ‘ruined’ practice.
The sacred
candles. I light em’ up
burn sage. Normally before or after my practice to cleanse stagnant energy + emotions
crystals. My malas are always close by, just in case I feel like meditating with one
deck of angel cards {current fav: Danielle Laporte’s Truthbomb deck}
before I pull a card, my invocation will normally sound something like this…
“Dear Universe, may you show me a sign” OR
“Dear Universe, may you show me what it is I need to know”
post medi journaling. I did this consistently after every single sit for about a year & I loved it. Allowing the pen to flow across paper, when spoken words were hard to find, was so therapeutic to me. I fell out of the journaling habit, but – knowing me – will get back into it when I feel I need to.
The mantra I’m currently digging
“MOKSHA”
meaning = emotional freedom
English option {if Sanskrit doesn’t float your boat} = free
The typical rundown
light a candle
intention setting: I ask myself; how do I want to show up in the world?
25 min medi: mindfulness or mantra in silence
post medi prayer (a little wish or dedicating my practice to someone)
say thank you (gratitude, always.) + carry on with my day
If it doesn’t look like this…I’m either meditating in my (parked!) car before a meeting or sitting on a couch at a friend’s place before grabbing drinks. After all, you’ve gotta make it work for you…right!?
Of course, there are some days I only get in 5 minutes and that’s just life. It doesn’t always follow your ideal & carefully laid out plan. Even 1 minute before grabbing coffee is beautiful! Do what you can babe. Intention is really where it’s at.
Questions? Meditation practices of your own? I would love to hear! Share them in the comment section below xo