Louise Fisichella...
Louise Fisichella has studied Comparitive Religions,Yoga, nutrition and health for over 30 years
Yo Prayer and Meditation -
Part IV
When I started this series I was mostly interested in mantra, prayer (especially compulsive/obsessive), and chanting and their relationship to meditation. As I began to pay more and more attention to the process, and peoples’ reactions and responses to the concept, things began to take on a life of their own in my journey.
It appears that "meditation" is a word that can evoke any number of responses from all kinds of different people. My Vegan friends overseas respond far more positively to the concept, although don’t seem to practice it. One gentleman has asked a few further questions and some instructions on how to get started, though. My American friends, Vegan or not, react quite differently. Some people are flat out appalled, as if you had accused them of something? Odd indeed.
Of course my curiosity was now peeking. I decided that since it has been 4years since I started practicing that I couldn’t ask the questions that beginners have and so picked up a Ram Dass book, "Journey of Awakening". I wanted to take a fresh look at the subject from a different point of view. He really is easy to read and this book has hundreds of quotes in it from a large variety of sources. Which is super nice, when that is exactly what I preferred, a wide view.
It seems we here in America have corrupted, polluted, blurred, monopolized, mass marketed, disrespected, and minimized meditation as a whole. Not to get me completely wrong, there are more people with respect than not. Except that I was shocked by all the negative reaction to just the word, “meditation”. Seems Hollywood, some Christian churches, the Hippy hay-days of the 1960’s, popularity of TM, and drug use have all warped the Western attitude towards the practice. It’s sad that so many people in our country could be receiving the benefits of meditation if not for so many preconceived ideas. My fellow countrymen and women are missing out on one of lifes’ great pleasures because of misconceptions perpetrated on them.
It is an empowering practice not just for those that are doing it, for those who they surround. At least, according to most schools of training the effect is spread to the area around a meditating person. If it is a group, the entire city may be positively affected according to a Washington, DC experiment done by TM. Perhaps this has something to do with the “mystic” built up around the word. Conjuring up thoughts of Wizardry or Witchcraft is the perception of some people here in the West when asked to describe meditation. Television and Hollywood movies are often mentioned when someone is asked where they learned about meditation. Shirley McClain’s name comes up for her movie role. Although, I have heard she is a practitioner in her private life.
Beyond the caricature the Western idea portrays of the practice lies a sense of respect and curiosity. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to have been enough to motivate people to begin meditating. I couldn’t see life without it at this point. The benefits are so rewarding to my personal life and my relationships I wouldn’t quit now for any reason. I see a future where my skills allow me to walk through almost any life situational problem while remaining calm, centered and detached. Then you will be the one that others can turn to when things get difficult and turbulent, a safe harbor in the storm.
So, please do yourself, family and community a favor and explore the possibilities that are available to you through meditation. You will benefit from every minute and hour that you give yourself to this ancient art form. It clears your thinking, centers your emotions and allows alignment to begin. Once you get the hang of the process and steps involved with meditation, you will be able to enter the state easier and anywhere under any conditions. Your sense of the possibilities increase with time and practice over the years and give you the power over your mind and body needed to live in the light of the Soul.
So, what’s stopping you from benefitting from meditation? Let me know at Louise@Higher-ground.com.
As always you can e-mail me and I will help guide you towards more learning and exploration of alternatives to traditional Western eating!
Contact Louise at Go Figure Body Works
E-mail: Louise Fisichella
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