Greetings everyone! Today might be my shortest post ever!
A moment ago I received an email regarding my last Facebook post. In it a young woman asked if I meant to say what I said in the last sentence of said post or if it was an accidental tongue twister.
I meant it…
Here is the exact post, cut and pasted:
Awareness is the ultimate remedy.
Actually, I should say Awareness in action.
It dissolves our illusions in the same way that the radiance of the sun dissolves the clouds in the sky.
That’s why a daily practice such as meditation is so important.
Not as a means to achieve or become anything but to remember to remember whatever it is we need to remember without trying to remember, so that eventually we don’t forget!
Yes I meant that last sentence and I’ll say it again.
Meditation should not be used as a means to achieve or become anything but as vehicle to remember to remember whatever it is we need to remember without trying to remember, so that eventually we don’t forget!
Remember what and why?
Remember what, not who (that’s dualistic ego stuff) you really are because from there you operate unobstructed by your fears, beliefs, conditioning and general effedupness.
All effort must be dropped, everything must be dropped if Awareness or Being or Spirit or your authentic self or whatever you call it is to arise and hang around.
In Japanese Zen they use the word Shikantaza, which literally means just sitting, to describe meditation.
That sounds simple enough and it is but it is not so EASY with our crazy minds and jumpy bodies.
That’s why they call it a practice!
Well, that’s all I got today. Not in the mood to wax deep or poetic.
Until next time…
Kind regards,
Anthony
Cindy
Lisa McLellan
Anthony
Darryl Pace
Keri Eagan
Vegas Boomer Dating Expert
Vicki
Michael D Walker
Peggy Larson
Very well put. You just cut right through to the essence of a sitting practice.
Dr. Z
I have been trying to meditate on and off for a few years and when I actually make my self do it on a regular basis, my whole life is better. My problem is that I get distracted all too easily. Do you have any recomendations for changing that pattern or could I just be one of those people who aren’t cut out for meditation?
Joshua
Hi Joshua,
I have been sitting for several years now and teaching the last 5 or 6 and know first hand what you mean when you say life is better when you sit.
I no longer use it as a means to get or be anything (which I stated in the post) but many great things do happen when one engages in a regular practice but more maybe more importantly, many things DO NOT happen or happen less and less often…like taking things personally, overreacting, being impatient, dishonest or unkind.
We just get better and better at putting space around our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, opinions and our conditioning or habituality (karma) in general. We go from reacting to the things and states that arise in our minds, our bodies and our lives to responding to them.
Things become less sticky! We create our lives… and to me it makes much more sense to create them with as much awareness as we can access in any given moment.
Regarding your question…I would have to know more about you and your situation to specifically tell you how to overcome the obstacles you have regarding sticking with your practice.
Generally, it is best to make it a priority in your life, decide how long you can sit (at least 20 minutes), pick a specific time to do it, and then just do it. No excuses, no bullshitting yourself! Again, I’d have to know about YOU to be specific.
As far as your comment on not being cut out for a daily or regular practice goes, I’d say two things: The first is go easy on yourself and the second is, that depends on you.
It is NOT true that you are not cut out for it but if you have a fixed mindset or limiting beliefs regarding yourself and abilities then you will create that reality. Sometimes, we’d rather be right than happy!
For those who have trouble meditating or sitting still in general, I usually recommend Holosync. It literally puts you in a very deep and peaceful meditative state at the push of a button. I actually recommend it to most people because of the amazingly quick and noticeable benefits one gets while doing it.
I do it, my girlfriend does it, my best friend does it…
Bottom line is that it works and it works pretty much right away for most people and you don’t have to do anything but sit upright, close your eyes and listen.
I use it as an ADJUNCT (not a replacement) to my Zen practice and it has really accelerated my growth.
Anyway, if you are interested, you can click on the instant meditation button at the top of the page to get a free demo. If you end up purchasing it, I will be compensated…half of which goes to a charity that empowers at risk youth, called Cycling for Success.
If you’d like some more specific guidance regarding your current meditation practice (or lack of one) if you’d like to go further in depth and get to the root of what may be holding you back, please feel free to contact me via the contact link on this site or via Skype. My handle on Skype is anthonylemme. I’d love to chat and help you out.
Free of charge of course!
It is very hard for me to “just sit” because I am always trying to get somewhere or do something and feel guilty if I am not. I know it is good for me and everyone involved if I relax and re-energize but I am a mom and a teacher and I have a hard time stopping. When I do, I end up watching TV which I know is not the best activity for my mind or my body. I like the idea of being authentic and dropping beliefs and opinions although it seems scary in the sense that part of me sort of has to die for he real me to surface. How do you let go of that fear and is it normal or at least common to have it in the first place?
Hi Anthony,
I am interested in learning how to meditate and reduce stress and a friend of mine here in Youngstown suggested I check out your site. I am a devout Catholic and meditation has always seemed so mysterious almost forbidden to me but the more I read and see things for myself I am learning that it is one of the best investments one can have for good health. Is there a kind that works best?
I also was wondering what exactly is Holosync is? I keep hearing about it. Is it like hypnosis or something?
Vantrika,
First off, cool name! As far as being able to stop without the guilt or impulse to go, go, go goes, I can’t say for sure what is behind that without knowing you better.
Seems that if the TV is okay to relax to then you are just used to something occupying your body and mind. You are used to some activity. That is just conditioning or a habit and can be easily changed to sitting quietly or any other chosen behavior that is more enriching in less than a month. It is nice to be able to drop all of the crazy conditioning, beliefs, fears, habits, opinions, etc and just BE. When you return to life, there is much more healthy, balanced energy and equanimity to be sure.
Regarding your fears about part of you dying in the process goes. I wouldn’t worry about that. It is like having a cramp or a pain that you are used to leaving your body. It may actually feel weird at first but then there is a sense of relief and lightness. A sense of, “Wow! So this is what I am supposed to feel like!” That false self is just dead weight holding you back.
Anthony,
Thank you for this post. It helped me to think about what I might be doing correctly and how I might improve upon my own meditation periods.
Hope all is going excellently for you.
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace
Hi Anthony,
Oh I am so delighted to see you blogging again. I have always enjoyed your blog posts. To be genuine so you can giggle at me, I am a TYPE A, albeit a West Coast softened Type A. So all of your posts on meditation for the very sake of meditation instead of for a GOAL goal serve as excellent reminders and further stretch my mind.
Always a blessing.
Thank you, sir.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Dating Expert and Online Dating Coach
I see you’re back to blogging as well! Awesome! I can see why the woman asked that question. I read it twice before I got it – but I can be a little slow sometimes!
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services, Nanny Services, and Nanny agencies
Great post and responses. Remembering who we are is dificult at first but when quiet and practice takes over it just seems to flow. The no specific goal is excellent advice.
Vicki http://www.bridal-threads.com