By Shawna Marie Aarons-Cooke, Founder and CEO, Healing Truth Center
There are very few things in life that we undertake without motivation. Breathing comes to mind as a possible exception but I could easily argue that we breath because we unconsciously are motivated to live. More importantly, I want to bring your attention to the benefits of meditation and perhaps inspire you to revisit or renew your commitment to the ages old practice that even Jesus partook of (in case you’re a Bible reader or believer.) The irony is, if you’re reading this you probably already know plenty of reasons why meditation could be beneficial. Most people are familiar with the commonly referenced benefits such as how meditation reduces stress, controls anxiety, improves self-awareness, enhances concentration and attention, strengthens memory, and may help with addictions. Yet, you may not meditate at all or only do so inconsistently. I suspect that’s because you simply don’t have the motivation. Please know that I’m not judging when I say this. I, too, have been fully aware of the benefits of meditation, have had phenomenal experiences when I meditated daily, and also have been inconsistent. So if you do indeed know how great meditation is and just don’t get to it daily, you’re not alone. But, maybe it’s time to make a shift. Like, today.
When thinking about all of the reasons I or others I’ve worked with skip meditation, here’s what comes to mind.
I’m not sure I’m doing it right anyway.
It’s uncomfortable when I sit cross legged.
I’m scared about what’s gonna happen when my mind goes blank.
There’s so much going on right now.
I just don’t have the time.
Yet, if meditation is a doorway to the treasure house of your soul… our souls… and a power to live life in the Light of the obtained wisdom, can we afford to risk blowing it off for those reasons above? Could we imagine driving endlessly without filling up the gas tank to our cars? Would we skip eating for days, weeks, months or even years due to the inconveniences of shopping or meal prep? Why then would we withhold something that literally feeds our souls and allows us to fan the flames of the Divine Spark within us?
Meditation is a natural way to radiate Love and compassion, Light and energy. Meditation is also a process of aligning, harmonizing and attuning oneself… of at-one-ment with Divine Life and radiation of energy. In the Bible, we read in Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.” This is the purest meditation there is – to be still and know. In stillness we know God in, as, for, through, with and all around us. In stillness we know exactly who we are as Divine spiritual beings in human physical form. In stillness we know our own heart, mind and soul. We know above and beyond what is seen and heard “in the world” to that which is first unseen and too serene for the physical ear, that the inner eye and ear knows.
Living in spiritual perspective means we start within – in our minds, hearts and souls, and live thereby. “As within, so without. As above, so below.” is the mantra for the spiritual healers, teachers and students/aspirants of the world. It’s a shorthand way to recall that our lives are lived from within us as well as from above, in the heights of consciousness, and in the depths of inner peace. Meditation is how we breathe, how we live, how we thrive, and above all how we restore and attune our souls to the most sacred and the most High God, Holy Spirit, Universe, I AM that I AM.
Will you make this daily Divine Appointment? Start right now, for a few minutes, to just be still and breathe. As you breathe slowly and deeply, let your body relax. Let your temptation to think and control the experience slip away from you. Just breathe deeply and slowly until you can listen to your breath and/or your heartbeat. And when you’re ready, slowly open your eyes. Please feel free to share your experiences and ask any questions that you may have. There are also some videos here that may be helpful as you explore meditation. If you’re more inclined to face-to-face in-person meditation practice and you’re in the New York area, perhaps you’ll join me for a Meditation Mastery class at Healing Truth Center. Simply message me via the contact page for details.
Shawna Marie Aarons-Cooke, LCSW-R is the CEO of Healing Truth Center, a resource for inspiration and evolutionary spiritual education. A dynamic motivational speaker and workshop facilitator, Shawna Marie passionately speaks about living in spiritual perspective, cultivating healthy loving relationships and achieving financial freedom. She’s a psychotherapist, spiritual healer, spiritual teacher, life coach as well as the author of Prosperity NOW! and Only God.
Follow @shawnamarieac
