TheLeaderInside.com

“If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It’s very important to be aware of them every time they come up.”

~~~ Deepak Chopra

Where am I headed in this article? The title tends to make you wonder what in the world is he coming out with now, right? I guess what has me motivated today is my realization that so many of us find so many reasons not to meditate, and I’d like to take a look at why that happens.

But first ….

Here’s another meditation clip for you to use in your daily meditations. Like the one last time, this one is also about 9 minutes long. I hope you enjoy it. Don’t forget to turn on your speakers. Just click the “Play” button — and then you can continue reading today’s article as you listen. When you’re done reading, play it again as you do one of your meditation sessions for today. (Yes! That is a blatant hint — meditation needs to be an every day practice!)

There are several different tools and techniques that can help you to be in touch with your inner peace. However, one of these is by far the most powerful method, and that is meditation. If you truly desire to shut off all the mind-chatter and get to know the peaceful being that you are, then meditation is the only tool you really need. It’s also readily available, any time, any place, and doesn’t require anything more than a place where you can be quiet and relaxed for a while.

“Let us be silent, that we may hear the whispers of the gods.”

~~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The really neat thing is that meditation is easy to do and doesn’t take a lot of time. The reason we don’t practice meditation isn’t because it’s too hard or we don’t have the time — the reason is that we can make up all sorts of reasons (I call them excuses) for why we can’t do it. We know it’s supposed to be a good thing to do, so why do we fight it off so vigorously?

The answer is simply that our ego doesn’t want us to meditate. The last thing our ego wants is for us to get in touch with who we truly are. The ego-mind can’t bear the idea that we might get to spend a few moments living in the present rather than the past or the future. Past and future are places the ego thrives — the present is where the truest essence of you resides — and it’s the only place where that happens — and it’s the only place where the ego-mind isn’t.

“Give up all bad qualities in you, banish the ego and develop the spirit of surrender. You will then experience Bliss.”

~~~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Let’s face it, we have allowed our minds to be in near complete control of us almost since the day when we had our first thought. It’s no wonder that we “think” we don’t have time to meditate or that we tell ourselves it’s too hard to do. That ego of ours knows what meditation can do. It knows that meditation can knock its power down a notch or two in a hurry, and it doesn’t want to allow that to happen — not by a long shot. That old ego-mind of ours is saying, “We don’t want any of that truth stuff around here! No way! No how!”

So, how do we teach this mind of ours to quit convincing us that we don’t want to — or have time to meditate? If you have a strong enough desire to get in touch with your inner peace, then you will find the courage to block out a short time in your daily schedule for peaceful abiding. If the desire is there, then you will do it. If it’s not, then you probably won’t.

I don’t believe there is a “correct” amount of time to set aside. Sometimes, 10 or 15 minutes is enough. I do think it’s important to put this time on our schedule, especially if you’re just starting out or are having trouble getting your ego-mind to listen to reason. For some, early in the day is best. For others, it might be at the end of the day. For me, I like to meditate during the day, but I have the advantage of working at home so this is possible for me. Although there is no “correct” amount of time, I would recommend that you commit to a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes every day.

Next week I’d like to spend some time pursuing more about what this “true self” that we all possess is like — what it might be like to be in the “Present”.

“The foundation of the Buddha’s teachings lies in compassion, and the reason for practicing the teachings is to wipe out the persistence of ego, the number-one enemy of compassion.”

~~~ Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

—————————-
If you’re new to us here, be sure read the other articles about meditation. You can find links for them over in the left sidebar under the “Recently Posted” section. They all have a title starting with the word, “Meditation”. They start with the January 24, 2008 post.

Don’t forget, spend at least 10 minutes twice each day meditating. Meditate for longer if you can. If you’ve been doing 10 minutes, take it up to 15. If you’ve been doing 15, see if you can take it up to 20 minutes. The longer you can maintain your focus on just your breath, the better.

“Those who really seek the path to Enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination.”

~~~ Buddha

Namaste!

And, as I always say in closing — remember these words …

You are the most precious gift you can give yourself. Every day look in the mirror and say, “I’m available to more good than I have experienced, realized or imagined ever before in my life!” Do this every day while you look into your own eyes.

You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.

Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”

~~~ Buddha

~~~ DBL-R

P.S. Remember, that if you have one of the “readers” — like My Yahoo, My MSN, or the Google Reader, or any of the others, you can get our blog sent to you automatically, whenever I post to it. Just click one of the buttons over on the left side to add it to your reader.
================================================================
As you know, I do practice sitting, silent meditation every day in my life. Recently, I did a podcast about this for another blog that I read. Take a moment and click this link to hear what meditation means to me and what it does for me.

My Meditation Podcast

In my meditation I use what I truly believe is the most powerful personal growth and mind development tool on earth. It’s the The Holosync Solution. I knew that meditation was a vital element to nurturing my soul — to opening myself to the universe — and this tool has allowed me to achieve and receive the benefits of deep, long-term meditation — and to achieve it much more quickly. If you’re having trouble “getting meditation to work for you” - then the The Holosync Solution is what you’re looking for.

Regular, daily meditation can give you …

(1) Increased intelligence and creativity.
(2) Lower stress levels — and with that — increased ability to handle whatever the world tosses your way.
(3) New levels of self-awareness and inner peace.
(4) The healing of emotional issues at the deepest levels —

— it’s definitely worth taking the time for this powerful practice every day.

With a One-Year 100% Iron-Clad Guarantee, you can now do so with no risk whatsoever — just click any of the links that say … The Holosync Solution

— The Holosync Solution

====================================================================

====================================================================

Technorati Tags: peace, inner self, inner peace, Buddhism, Buddhist, The Secret, Law of Attraction, dreams, spiritual energy, action, value, inner balance, enlightenment, destiny, manifestation, meditation, patience, gratitude, tolerance, acceptance, body balance, life cycle, beginnings, endings, positive thinking, ego, silence, consciousness, staying grounded, cycle of life