June 2007 Newsletter: Your Life Is
Now
Make Your Intention Affirmation
A relaxed body is a relaxed mind and visa versa. The simple act of
breathing deeply and consciously, oxygenates the blood, improves
digestion, increases metabolism and is very relaxing. When looked at
from this perspective, a meditation practice that is focused on the
breath can induce positive physiological changes that relax the body and
improve mental outlook. Here’s the paradox, while relaxation and
happiness are often associated with enjoyable activities, such as going
on a vacation, meditation or golf, a common misconception is that
feelings of happiness and wellbeing are being created by the activity.
In other words, we have a tendency to believe that it is the golf, the
meditation or the vacation that is making us happy.
The truth is, is when we are engrossed in activities that we enjoy our
minds are focused in the present moment. Presence allows for happiness,
health, and wellbeing to arise as our experience, simply because we’ve
stopped paying attention to our thoughts, our obsessions and our desires
if only for a few moments or an afternoon. For happiness to arise from
within requires that happiness already be present within, if only as a
potential. It is true then that happiness, wellness and enlightenment
are all synonyms for a natural state of perfection that is already
present within you and operates as you.
This month your mindfulness practice is to create an intention
affirmation. First, start by contemplating within your own heart and
mind what your intention is for the day (your intention will change with
your needs). Next write down your intention as an affirmation. For
example, if your intention is to be more calm, then you’d write, “I am
calm and at ease,” ten times. When you do this you are mentally
affirming the potential for being calm that is already within you. Think
of it as creating a nurturing environment for the seed of calmness
within to grow and to blossom. You can even use your affirmation as a
mantra for your meditation practice. For example, on the inhale say
silently to yourself, “I AM,” and on the exhale, “calm,” ten or more
times. When you are finished chanting your intention affirmation, direct
your attention to your breath and sit silently for as long as you wish.
This is a beautiful practice and one that I enjoy doing as well.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or comments about
the material presented on the website or in my newsletter, or if you
have a general question about meditation and mindfulness. Until next
month.
Namasté,
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