Return to Meditation

A post I came across on White Hot Truth today reminded me of a Buddhist meditation called tonglen. I've practiced tonglen before, but was rekindled by Danielle's description and encouragement of the practice. My current area of focus is being present, and what's more enabling of present-making than a meditation practice? Perfect timing.

So the deal with Tonglen (if you haven't already linked over to White Hot Truth, which is fabulous, you should after reading this!) is that it is a meditation practice where you inhale pain and suffering and exhale goodness and compassion. Sounds odd from a "how can this possibly be good for me?"-perspective, doesn't it? But yet, when you try it, just try it...you will realize it actually doesn't hurt you. You learn that you can project any crazy good vibe you like...and likewise you can take any level of suffering just as much. Is this the whole point behind the practice? Perhaps it's a way to send positive energy into the world, thereby causing a better place?

Admitedly, I'm not sure, even after having read up on Pema Chodron's guiding explanations. I intend to try this more rigorously than I have in the past and report back on my findings.

Getting up at 5:30 to make time for yoga is definitely do-able! Summer's early light makes a difference. Namaste!

Staying in Motion When Unsureness Hits

I became inspired today when reading a recent post on White Hot Truth on the "I don't know conspiracy". I would be a complete fraud if I didn't admit I've been my own victim to this very downfall many times. When looking at my own life, and recent surge of happiness and empowerment, where previously I found little, this is one of the areas that's really made a difference for me.

So you come across a lousy situation or state of mind and you simply stand in "I don't know what to do"...now what?, Danielle's posting offers up a very good point. That mentality doesn't serve you. However, that mentality is the first to creep in during the tough points in life. This is the mentality that has people in a lot of unhappy situations.

Reading the post has made me conscious of times when i'm confused but yet empowered and instead say "I will figure it out" (even when I really don't know yet)! I'm then coming from a stance of preparedness and a motive of action. The inactivity of simply stating "I don't know" and then doing nothing from there is of no use if it isn't followed by resolution to find a new possibility.

Text Blogging Adventures to Come

Today I activated the blog via text feature...I plan to text over short (one-liners) of wisdom, gratitude, or things that just plain make me smile. I often think of things to share with the blogosphere; or merely just to remember, throughout the day. I figure this will lead to not only more regular updates, but more spontaneous bursts of goodness.

Share your uplifting one-liners with me!

Finding Happiness

With a title "Finding Happiness" looming above, you must think this entry must have some magnificent, yet simple, gems of human wisdom in it. I doubt that, but I will say that rehearsing happiness does have it's privileges. I haven't got an entry in this whole month...but many life-blog thoughts have been appearing in my daydreams and journaling, so it's time I shared.

When I think on rehearsing happiness it sounds like either one of two things: a)This girl is nuts to think she can just find happiness by rehearsing it; or b)This statement is so simple, it could easily be overlooked for foolishness. I think the reality is somewhere in between. Most definitely the average unhappy person sleep-walking around isn't paying attention to their own ability to have a happy life. Thus, argument b is in play. Yet the foremost conclusion, the one where I'm a delusional woman thinking she can simplify the difficulties of life into a glib little statement - is also true. Let me caveat that with, it's only true if you want it to be.

So, when I am sleep walking through the muck of life, I'm guilty of believing in that cynical conclusion. I will report that when I catch myself sitting around in my own muck (aka: pooping in your own fishtank, if I were a fish in this metaphor), I am shorter in my bounce-back to a happy reality than I previously was. I've never considered myself a happy person, until now. I'm starting to notice the force of optimism and the strong will for happiness I've actually had moving in me for quite some time. Whether I realized it or not, I was born with this ability. I also believe we all are born with this ability.

What does it take for one to tap into her or his own well-spring of happiness? Go on, try it. I dare you to catch yourself feeling hopelessly stuck in the muck, and then just try this on. Try on that if you start to just "be like you're happy", you will start "doing things that a happy person does" and 'lo and behold, before you can make sense of it or start to complain again, you'll have a happy self on your hands. This isn't instantaneous and of course life still has pain. It's the suffering that is optional. What do you have to lose?

Do you have particular methods for getting yourself out of the doldrums? I find reading other blogs such as the Happiness Project are a reliable source of inspiration when I need to refuel my own happy charge.