meditation

Cottage Sunbeams

Posted by Barbara Techel

sunbeam

I love early morning in my Zen writing cottage. This is where I come to practice my yoga and meditation before I ease into my day.

Just as I moved into a yoga pose this sunbeam caught my eye. I had to stop and take a picture.

There is just something about a sunbeam – like a peek into another realm, I think.

A window to another world where there is mystery we can’t see, but encourages our imagination to run wild and free. Something so ancient and spiritual about it, too.

That sunbeam stayed with me for through most of my yoga practice until I looked again and then it was magically gone. But the smile it brought me stays on my heart as I begin my day.

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Yellow Bird Says Pay Attention to Nature for the Answers

Posted by Barbara Techel

bird feeder 2This spring I just felt the need to put a bird feeder right outside my window from where I write and work from my computer in my writing cottage.

I took this photo with the screen on my window. But since I want to see if I can capture more pictures of my new feathered friends visiting the feeder I now took the screen off.

But seeing the birds visit reminds me of a moment I had during my sabbatical in the fall of 2013, a few weeks after Joie passed away.

One morning when I awoke I had two immediate thoughts, I want to live a simpler and quieter life and I want to understand animals on a deeper level.

When I opened the blinds on my bedroom patio door I spotted five sparrows hanging out around the bird bath. Two were splashing away in the water, two had their tiny heads bent down sipping water, and the fifth one seemed to be the lookout captain making sure everyone stayed safe.

I got so caught up in watching the birds that time seemed to disappear. During my sabbatical I was just trying to be instead of worrying about what was next for my life.

It felt like I was in a meditative trance as I continued to take such great delight in being with the birds and nature right outside my window. These words floated through my mind, Be free. Be open. Have fun. Listen. Splash. Hop. Sing.

I don’t recall how long I really sat there. But all I know is I felt divinely guided by these feathered Buddha’s offering a special message just for me. And I was open and willing to listen.

I think of that now and am reminded with the bird feeder next to me as I work. To see the birds landing to eat, I pause for a just a moment and take in the grand and exquisite work of spirit.

The messages of how to exist in this life with more ease is right outside our window or a walk in nature. I’m quite sure of it because when I am in nature or just sit to observe all that is going on around me in my yard, I feel this incredible sense of calm.

And just as I finished writing this post, this fellow ( or perhaps it is a Miss) showed up. I’m not sure what type of bird it is. Do you know?

bird 2 e

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Enjoying the Sweet Spot with Gidget

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Almost every morning after my yoga practice, I meditate for a few moments.

Sometimes Gidget sits beside me, resting her head on my leg. But from what I’ve read and understand, it’s just as beneficial for her if she is sleeping in her bed on the floor next to me.

I used to get frustrated (and sometimes still do) when meditating, thinking “My mind won’t stop talking!”

This is another lesson I’ve come to understand is that it is not about shutting your mind off completely. It’s learning to go of the thoughts without judgement and just letting them float on by.

So here I was meditating Tuesday morning. I choose a word to bring myself back to center when my thoughts wonder. I chose stillness as my word for this particular day.

I set the timer on my phone for 15-minutes. In the background I had music softly playing- Reiki Ocean part 6 on Pandora is my favorite.

I got comfy in my big wicker chair and closed my eyes. Gidget takes a few moments to settle in, but I let her do her thing and try to not let it distract me. I love how it feels to have her beside me which grounds me.

Here’s an example of my meditation thought process from Tuesday.

Stillness.
I have to work on my newsletter today.
What am I going to write about?
Stillness.
Mmmm, that feels good.
I want to write about mindfulness too.
Stillness.
I forgot to take the chicken out for dinner.
Stillness.
Was that a car door I just heard slam?
Don’t look. Keep your eyes closed.
Stillness.
I can’t forget to make copies for Saturday’s workshop.
Stillness.

And on and on it goes. This is normal. It’s those in-between times, what Dr. Wayne Dyer calls the gap, that is meditation.  Those sweet spots of calm. It is so worth it to move through my thoughts, finding my way back to the word and the center that grounds me.

And having Gidget in the room, or beside me, is so worth it too.

Even if your pet isn’t in the room with you, I’ve heard this is still beneficial for them. They can feel that good, relaxing, renewing energy no matter where they are. Just picture them in your mind and set your intention, and they will benefit.

I read somewhere that even if you are the only person who meditates in the household that it actually benefits everyone. I think that makes perfect sense. And it’s another reason meditation makes me feel good to know that I may be holding the center for someone else. Even my sweet dogs.

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