OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI!
May all beings be happy, and FREE!
UNIVERSAL PEACE!
Peace … from self inflicted mental suffering … FREEDOM!OM = the sound of the universe, the sound from which all other sounds are formed. The past, the present, the future — everything is Om.
Shanti = PEACE!
Today, 80% of Americans experience intense, chronic stress, anxiety or depression.
I wish for us #freedom! To learn how to cultivate peace in our lives. Meditation — especially mindfulness meditation and lovingkindness meditation — is a simple tool I use to help me find peace. Combine that with open ocean waters, a sunny day and good friends, and you have JOY!
I’ve done yoga since I was 20. It’s been the most consistent mentally challenging thing I’ve done in my life. It’s love-hate as you have to SIT with your thoughts, come to face reality and who you really are! To immerse, fully feel and experience every emotion of the rainbow. With it, I’ve learned it’s possible to cultivate a still mind even in surroundings that are anything but tranquil.
Today on the water with sister Lucy, we reflected on how far we’ve come through our dedication to ourselves and the world through meditation. What better way to change the world, but to be a force within yourself? To question the source of everything, conquer your fears, share your honest thoughts. Vulnerable, surrendered, exposed.
A perfect space for both of us, as 1 week ago I returned from a grounding, reflective trip to BALI and Lucy is setting sail for 5 weeks there in 1 week. The hybrid of the anxiety fused with the aftermath of such a magical place, and the footprint it leaves on our soul. A friendship caught between ‘how can I apply this’ and ‘am I ready for this’? Oh, what balance this lends to us both! Yielding to the rawness of friendship and relationships in general.
My journey to OC began 6 years ago on this day. I left Sacramento, my hometown, with a massive UHaul and no plan at all. Just to start over, live by the ocean and be FREE. I held the remains of a ‘victim’ mentality, where things happened TO me. 6 years later, I see they happen THROUGH me and FOR me. I surrender to the good AND the bad, the light and the dark, ‘bad and dark’ are blessings too.
Lovingkindness helps us to still the mind by letting go of conflict, our stories, our lies. Our hostile or defensive reactions to others are a major source of inner turmoil, and the cultivation of lovingkindness helps us to be more compassionate and less reactive. The “blissful fading away of conditioned things” refers to the mind becoming purified of the delusion, aversion, and grasping tendencies that distort our view of the world and prevent us from experiencing true happiness. Enlightenment is a concept that many seek out, yet few master. And yet, we’re all human, and are build perfectly imperfect. Compassion!
16 years ago, my journal to yoga began.
Today I am in awe at where this path of dedicated practice to mindfulness has lead me. More than ever, I feel free. Liberated, patient with myself, accepting for all that is and free from the larger share of self criticism that stifled me. Imprisoned me.
Today with compassion, I have the strength to release control of things I cannot change. And possess empathy to not judge. Which began with myself.
Judge ourselves, judge others.
Fear learning who we are, fear others.
Avoid connecting to our truth, avoid connecting to others.
Forgive ourselves, forgive others.
The formula, as simple as it sounds, is an art, I pray we all slow down enough to practice. This is what is meant by ‘our yoga practice’ – The art of mindfulness through breath. Awareness through action. Love through connection to ourselves. And above all, the strength to LET GO. Be FREE!
Whenever I hear storm clouds of doubt and destruction enter my mind, I envision the scared Little Diane, look her in the eyes, wipe her tears and say “I know you’re doing your best”.
And to the little one in you, I know you are too.
Dare to be courageous enough to sit in silence and face the stillness that is your reality!
Today represents our freedom.
#Independence …from our mind!
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI OM!
#meditatenotmedicate
I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you yoga?
Where has it taken you?
What values govern your WANTS?
Do you accept that we may never be ‘exactly’ where we WANT to be?
