To a mind that is still ...

"To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders."  - Lao Tzu

Can you even fathom this?  I mean really, sit and realize the reality of this quote ...  The whole universe! 

For those that may think this isn't possible, try it, I dare you.  Sit in quiet contemplation.  Meditate.  Quiet your mind.  What you will come to realize is that during those quiet, meditative moments, nothing is going on around you.  Nothing.  Do you know why?  Because you have quieted your mind and the universe has surrendered itself.  For those moments of serenity, everything stops.  Even the seasoned meditators may be getting hit with this realization ... I know I am. 

I never really stopped and thought, or realized that ... holy crap, the universe does surrender to my quiet mind.  When I'm meditating, I know of nothing that is going on around me.  I am lost in my special place, or my guided imagery, or my free flowing subconscious.  There are no ringing phones, no email alerts, no loud traffic passing by, no hyper pets ... nothing.  Naturally, any of those things may be occurring at the moments that my mind is still, but I wouldn't know because I am lost in my stillness. 

If you've never meditated and would love to experience this awesome 'stillness' ... let me offer you a tip.  I tend to be more of a left-brained person, so it was initially hard for me to quiet my mind and this is what worked for me. 

Get into a comfortable position, with your arms and legs not crossed in any fashion.  Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose, and count to six.  Hold that breath in and count to six.  Exhale through your mouth and count to six.  Then count to six before taking your next breath in.  Continue to repeat these steps and before you know it, you are meditating and the universe is surrendering itself to your quiet mind.  In the beginning, this process may take several repetitions before you fall into a meditative state, but after some practice it gets easier and easier.  Your mind is so focused on your breathing and counting that it forgets about 'everything else' going on in your life and is able to naturally quiet itself through this method. 

On Monday, August 6th, Shannon and I will be talking about Hypnotherapy and Meditation during our radio show, providing more information, insight, and tips.

Council of Transmission

I may have just had my first solo meditation experience and encounter. I was laying in bed with the hubs and as he fell asleep, I tried 'drifting' off to find my 'place'. I've recently learned that having a place to 'go to' is vital, so I wanted to find mine. That is not an easy task!

I went from 'looking' at various different peaceful, beautiful, serene places and just not 'feeling' them, to hearing the word "cosmos." Then, I remembered the Crystal Bowl Meditation I attended, and 'traveling' through the galaxy. I then went to this beach, not just any beach, MY beach. As I thought that exact sentence, both of my ears started ringing. I looked along the shoreline to find one white house on the coast. Only one. My house. I said that I didn't want to meet up with anyone there, just wanted to 'find' the place so I knew where to go in the future. I was urged to go in, just for a moment. Inside there was a council, 4 members. When I questioned, "Only four?" I was told that I was the fifth member. Me? No. That's not possible, being part of this council was too "big" for me. (I'm now thinking that I am the fifth member of the council for this life experience?) I was then told, "No, not too big. Don't think on those terms. You are unaware of how powerful you are." This brought immediate tears to my eyes.

The hubs moved some, bringing me back to my tear-soaked pillow. I made a note to remember this - to travel through the cosmos (galaxy) to get to my beach. I got out of bed, to get something to drink, and as I was walking toward the bedroom door, I clearly heard "Council of Transmission."

Is this the name of this council? I came to the computer to look up the exact definition of transmission, and wrote down the synonyms: transfer, passage, passing, conveyance. I am excited to learn what all this means and to visit my place again.

As I sat down to type this, my right ear started a loud ringing. I also envisioned a beautiful, purple, fairy playground as well. I will try visiting this place soon too!