Meditation

I love waking up before the sunrise. I don't always make it that early, but when I do, I so enjoy this sacred time. For me, as the horizon begins to turn a buttery gold, it represents hope. I can use this day for whatever I want; the truth is, some days this means accomplishing tasks, but my favorite days are ones where I move through the day "being" as opposed to "doing".

This usually begins with my 45 minute meditation. I learned to meditate at the Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California. I use a primordial sound mantra which was given to me. It is based on the exact time, date and location of my birth. I was instructed to never share my mantra with anyone. I believe this is to keep the practice internalized. For those of you who do not have a mantra, you might try "So-Hum". "So" would be said to yourself on your inhalation and "Hum" would be said to yourself on your exhalation. The sounds just seem to fit perfectly as your chest rises and falls with each breath. Meditation is about stopping your thoughts. It is the ultimate "being". Of course, a thought will come, so you simply bring yourself back to your mantra, letting the thought melt away. Soon, you will find moments where you are simply "gone"...No thought, no manta, nothing. Chopra describes this as slipping into the Gap. The Gap is the field of infinite possibilities. This is a very, very good place to be. It is where resistance is released. It is where stress is released. It is about connecting with your higher self. Then, you will have a thought and you simply bring yourself back to your mantra. This is just fine. You will slip into the Gap a number of times during a meditation.

As you can see, there is a rhythm to your level of consciousness during mediation. But as you spend more time in meditation, you will spend more and more time in the Gap. It is very important to let your meditation be whatever it is. For example, if you fall asleep, it just means that the body is tired. If you fall asleep every time, then you are not receiving the full benefit of this relaxed state of awareness. One key is to make sure that you are sitting and not lying down. Above all, allow your meditation to be whatever it is; no judgement. For example, don't expect to receive answers that you've been looking for. You may get answers, just don't put any pressure on yourself to receive answers. Deepak Chopra says, "Don't look for answers in your meditation; Meditate and look for changes in your life."

In a subsequent class at the Chopra Center, "Synchrodestiny" I received the 5 Qualities of the Soul to add to my meditation. I would like to share these with you in case they resonate with you.

1. My Soul is a field of infinite possibilities
2. My Soul is non-local
3. My Soul is the source of my creativity, which is infinite
4. My Soul thrives in uncertainty and embraces the wisdom of uncertainty
5. My Soul co-creates with God

I blend these in somewhere in my meditation, usually in the beginning. I know them by heart, but I find that in my meditation, sometimes I cannot get through them due to the deep state of peace that I am in. And of course, that is just fine because remember the goal is to stop thought and get into the Gap. In a way, meditation is the opposite of prayer.

As I have been writing, I continue to glance out the window on the 8th floor at the progressing sunrise...the sun is not up yet, but it is like a painting, where someone has applied purple, peach and orange paint streaks across the sky. Stunning. This is a gift of rising this early.