International Lifestyle Magazine Issue 55 | Page 45

On a mental level, the process of stillness is very interesting as the mind likes to challenge at every opportunity. It likes to monkey around...all the time! The moment we sit still with the intention of letting go, our busy minds will naturally object, telling us that we haven’t got time for this, that we should be doing something ‘more important’. And if we try our hardest not to think, thoughts will constantly intervene and it’s therefore easy to feel that we can’t do this; that we can’t meditate, and we give up. But an important point to be aware of is that you are not your mind, and your mind is not you! It is simply a tool that we very often need, but also need to learn to put down from time to time. Understanding this fully is seriously empowering. So how do we get around this? Firstly, we can give our minds a job to do, for example, counting the breath. So with each in breath or each out breath, we gently count. This focuses the mind on the job in hand, and allows us to relax into the process and be in the moment. Alternatively, we can make a point of allowing our thoughts to arise; to let them come and go and to simply label them as ‘thinking’, without giving any power to them. A bit like not giving attention to a misbehaving child; eventually it will get bored and give From a spiritual perspective, making time to sit in meditation helps us to tap into our inner wisdom and provide answers that are truly right for us. It helps us to realise our truth; our soul purpose, and it helps us to remember that we are not in fact here to constantly strive for more, but to notice and enjoy the beauty, wonder and perfection that we already have within and around us every day. When we allow ourselves to sink into the stillness of being, we not only feel at peace with ourselves and everything around us, but we actually become peace. And it is in this space that our healing can truly begin. Try this simple meditation at home: Give yourself permission to meditate for fifteen minutes, and find a peaceful place to sit or lie down; somewhere warm and comfortable where you can relax and not be disturbed. Please note that the purpose of this exercise is not to fall asleep, so set your intention to be fully present in this moment. When you feel settled, bring your awareness to your breath, noticing whether it is deep or shallow, fast or slow. Place your hands on your tummy and begin to breathe slowly and deeply into the abdomen, feeling your hands rise and fall with each breath. Scan your body, drawing attention to each individual part, starting at your feet and slowly working your way up to your head. Notice if any feelings of tension or discomfort arise as you carry out this process, breathing deeply all the while. Return individually to any areas of pain or tightness, placing a hand on that body part if you can reach it and drawing your breath into that area. Take a moment to appreciate this quality time before continuing with your day. Jo Barnard www.you-time.com 07811 269693 “To celebrate the launch of Jo’s new CD, ‘Volume Two: Healing’, featuring five gentle visualisations accompanied by soothing music, we’d like to bring you a special offer. Buy Volume Two for £9.99 and receive Volume One for half price. To order, please email [email protected], quoting the code ILM55 and a donation will be made to Pig Village. Order both volumes for £14.98 and Pig Village will receive a bale of hay.” www.internationallifestylemagazine.com