Finding Peace in the Busyness of Life

It’s June!  Summer is on its way.  End of school year, graduations, weddings, father’s day, picnics – it’s a busy time for many.  It’s easy to let go of practices you may have established or less unlikely that you will begin a new one.  However, what I have discovered over and over again is that it is exactly at these times that we need to have a ritual or practice of some kind that help ground us, keep us in our own space and present.

I will admit, when I have a deadline, or have a project I want to see finished, its easy for me to skip a yoga class or a walk, and yet I have discovered every time, that skipping what grounds and nourishes me does not help!  I even let a few mornings go by without starting with my meditation.  There was a time I would have beat myself up, and now I realize each moment, each day is a new opportunity to begin anew.  The past is behind.  I send gratitude for those days and I connect to now with love. Then I take a moment or two, and just breathe.

Establishing a meditation practice does not have to be difficult or time consuming.  I start each morning with breath work for 20 minutes.  Some days I spend 10 minutes.  I even will do my own chakra healing and aligning mediation – you can grab it free here.  It is only 18 minutes.   I have guided meditations that I use.  Sometimes I just breathe counting on my mala beads.  My favorite is a kundalini breath meditation made for me by one of my spiritual mentors.

Some mornings, I have also found chanting to be a wonderful way to quiet my mind, and set my day.  One of my favorites is “Om Namah Shivaya”.   I have several versions that I just love.  I listen to chanting while I am driving in my car or walking.  I can feel my body and soul vibrating more openly, and I feel more grounded and present when I reach my destination.

Taking a shower is a perfect time to set your space and your day.  Notice the feel of the water as it hits your body.  Smell the scent of the soap you are using.  Breathe consciously during the entire shower.  Set an intention for you day.  Give gratitude for being awake and alive with a new day ahead of you.

I recently started to hold meditation circles at Good Karma Café in Exeter, NH for the summer.  You can nourish your mind and my body in one place.  There is no sign up.  Just come when you can and join us as a group.  We explore different meditations, often guided.  They have a wonderful space upstairs from the café with comfy couches and chairs, and a great vibe.  These open meditation circles end August 26.  However, there will be 4 week classes of meditations offered beginning in September, 2013.  Check the calendar for dates and topics.

Explore and find the way that best helps you to quiet your mind, ground your energy and connect to the divine.  Whether it is 5 minutes or an hour, just choose a time, space, and meditation that you can commit to doing every day.  Once it becomes a habit, you will find that you miss this precious gift. If you do miss a day, don’t fret about it.  Just begin again.  Life is a journey.  Let yourself flow with it.  The point of meditation is not about getting somewhere, it’s to be present and connected with your inner wisdom and guidance.