LESSON THREE
I Dive in More Deeply
Refining the Practice
Change Your Mind, One Lesson at a Time!
By now, the practice of meditation has become more regular and perhaps even indispensible in your life. You are becoming more aware of noticeable changes in your perspective, attitudes, insights, and even your behavior. Perhaps you’ve observed a greater sense of calm, compassion, and a deeper connection to all creatures great and small around you, realizing that these new attributes have slowly established a firm root in the soil of your spirit. You are the living proof that you can truly:
“Change your mind – one meditation at a time!”
What a wonderful gift that is! It is, as a dear friend of mine often says – “The gift that keeps on giving” Except here, you are giving the gift to yourself – each and every day. There are no limits to its bounty or benefits.
Do continue practicing regularly in order to receive the full benefits of your sitting meditation. There is simply no substitute for doing this. You have to put in the time if you are to change one meditation at a time.
It is however, important to keep in mind that you will not necessarily find each and every individual meditation to be a fruitful experience. It is the practice itself which bears fruit and this is only evident over a long period of time. You’ve heard it said that practice makes perfect – right? Well, it’s absolutely true when it comes to a sitting meditation practice.
As you delve more deeply into the life-long journey of meditation, implement these three suggestions to refine and deepen your practice:
If you implement these three suggestions, your practice will deepen and you will continue to change your mind and ultimately your life and well-being – one meditation at a time!
Let’s explore each suggestion a bit further:
It is important to periodically revisit and review what you are doing in your practice and observe what is working for you, and what is not. You are the only one who can truly ascertain what is most beneficial.
Remember always that your practice is yours – and only yours. You have no one to please or satisfy but yourself and it would be counterproductive over the long run to indulge in some aspect you don’t find rewarding.
Over the course of several decades, I have tinkered with my practice and made necessary adjustments as needed. As a result, not only has my practice benefited and flourished, but I have learned a lot about myself in the process, and so will you!
These rules are worth repeating, over and over again!
In the beginning, it is important to follow guidelines or a particular framework in order to begin and launch a meditation practice that will hopefully continue over the course of your lifetime.
As time goes on, you will notice that your intuition becomes more refined. So listen to this inner voice, and be willing to explore and experiment with certain aspects of your meditation – perhaps adding other techniques you discover and learn along the way. That is the beauty of a meditation practice – it is never static and is always unique, and it will continue to evolve and deepen as long as you live!
Some months ago, as the conflict in Ukraine began, I felt moved to do a meditation practice that I then taught to others, and that you can find in the BONUS section of this course. I was spontaneously led to do a hand “mudra” or gesture – a positioning of my hands in a certain way that deepened my meditation experience and felt quite powerful.
Mudras are part of every religious and spiritual tradition: Perhaps the most obvious one is the placement of our palms together in prayer with fingers pointing upward. This gesture is evident in many Asian cultures where it denotes reverence and respect, and is used in worship. In truth, there are many universal gestures.
So practice, experiment, and simply enjoy!
Reflection/Journal Questions:
What changes in yourself have you noticed since you began meditating regularly?
What changes have others noticed and commented on?
Can you think of other universal gestures or principles, or teachings?
NEXT
I Dive in More Deeply
Refining the Practice
Change Your Mind, One Lesson at a Time!
By now, the practice of meditation has become more regular and perhaps even indispensible in your life. You are becoming more aware of noticeable changes in your perspective, attitudes, insights, and even your behavior. Perhaps you’ve observed a greater sense of calm, compassion, and a deeper connection to all creatures great and small around you, realizing that these new attributes have slowly established a firm root in the soil of your spirit. You are the living proof that you can truly:
“Change your mind – one meditation at a time!”
What a wonderful gift that is! It is, as a dear friend of mine often says – “The gift that keeps on giving” Except here, you are giving the gift to yourself – each and every day. There are no limits to its bounty or benefits.
Do continue practicing regularly in order to receive the full benefits of your sitting meditation. There is simply no substitute for doing this. You have to put in the time if you are to change one meditation at a time.
It is however, important to keep in mind that you will not necessarily find each and every individual meditation to be a fruitful experience. It is the practice itself which bears fruit and this is only evident over a long period of time. You’ve heard it said that practice makes perfect – right? Well, it’s absolutely true when it comes to a sitting meditation practice.
As you delve more deeply into the life-long journey of meditation, implement these three suggestions to refine and deepen your practice:
- Periodically review and revisit your practice and make any necessary adjustments. Be aware that over time your needs change. You grow as a person and by adjusting your practice you give yourself the opportunity to deepen your experiences.
- Always remember to revisit “The Three Rules of Meditation” learned at the beginning of this course. They will help you set the course for a deeper and richer journey within your very essence.
- Experiment! Be willing to try new things as you go along. As you trust your intution more, you might be guided to try something different.
If you implement these three suggestions, your practice will deepen and you will continue to change your mind and ultimately your life and well-being – one meditation at a time!
Let’s explore each suggestion a bit further:
- Periodically review and revisit your practice and make any necessary adjustments.
It is important to periodically revisit and review what you are doing in your practice and observe what is working for you, and what is not. You are the only one who can truly ascertain what is most beneficial.
Remember always that your practice is yours – and only yours. You have no one to please or satisfy but yourself and it would be counterproductive over the long run to indulge in some aspect you don’t find rewarding.
Over the course of several decades, I have tinkered with my practice and made necessary adjustments as needed. As a result, not only has my practice benefited and flourished, but I have learned a lot about myself in the process, and so will you!
- Always remember “The Three Rules of Meditation” learned at the beginning of this Course.
These rules are worth repeating, over and over again!
- Trust your intuition
- Do not judge your practice
- Move at your own pace
- Experiment!
In the beginning, it is important to follow guidelines or a particular framework in order to begin and launch a meditation practice that will hopefully continue over the course of your lifetime.
As time goes on, you will notice that your intuition becomes more refined. So listen to this inner voice, and be willing to explore and experiment with certain aspects of your meditation – perhaps adding other techniques you discover and learn along the way. That is the beauty of a meditation practice – it is never static and is always unique, and it will continue to evolve and deepen as long as you live!
Some months ago, as the conflict in Ukraine began, I felt moved to do a meditation practice that I then taught to others, and that you can find in the BONUS section of this course. I was spontaneously led to do a hand “mudra” or gesture – a positioning of my hands in a certain way that deepened my meditation experience and felt quite powerful.
Mudras are part of every religious and spiritual tradition: Perhaps the most obvious one is the placement of our palms together in prayer with fingers pointing upward. This gesture is evident in many Asian cultures where it denotes reverence and respect, and is used in worship. In truth, there are many universal gestures.
So practice, experiment, and simply enjoy!
Reflection/Journal Questions:
What changes in yourself have you noticed since you began meditating regularly?
What changes have others noticed and commented on?
Can you think of other universal gestures or principles, or teachings?
NEXT