I first experienced meditation when I was a freshman at UC Berkeley during a fascinating course on Buddhist Psychology. It was the first of many steps along a mindful path through Berkeley, back to Seattle, and eventually to Naropa University in Boulder to further my studies in psychology and deepen my relationship with mindful living. For years I sat and meditated - off and on - for up to 20 minutes a day, and enjoyed the respite from my normal pace of life while I sat in quiet concentration. I also appreciated the increasing number of mindful moments I began to encounter throughout my day. I felt less emotionally reactive, and more awake, alive in my body. And until recently, I thought that was “it.” I believed I was accomplishing the point of meditation by not only sitting, but by experiencing and noticing these moments throughout my day. And it’s not that I was wrong, per se, but my understanding of the “why” to meditate has shifted appreciably.
What I have come to notice (and gleefully celebrate) is that when I quiet my mind and focus on resting in the space of no-thought, it is in those spaces where I can actually begin to hear myself at my deepest levels. Call it my source, or soul, or heart’s desire, or inner being, it doesn’t matter. But it’s that part of me that knows everything, my wisest self, my eternal self, and it also knows where I am in relationship to everything I want. What’s more is that this incredible part of me also knows where I am currently, knows what my obstacles are, and is ready to smoothly guide me around them and towards my deepest desires, if only I would tune in and listen more closely.
Source speaks softly, and in such cleverly subtle ways that it’s easy to miss. But the more I meditate (15 minutes a day is plenty), the more clearly I hear this inner-voice, my wisest self, subtly offering ideas in the form of thoughts and feelings. Sometimes I follow them, other times I don’t. But the more I do follow them, the more certainty I develop that I am being led brilliantly and with unwavering consistency, towards my most satisfying life. Sometimes in these expanded spaces, I get new songwriting ideas. Or an impulse to phone a friend, or take the dogs for a walk. Not every suggestion from source feels monumental. But the more I follow the divine impulses, the more satisfaction I find. That dog walk might have just been a dog walk. Or it might have led me to that “random” conversation with my neighbor, that led me to researching that book title she mentioned, that led me to my next great songwriting idea, that led me to…
When I meditate, I’m getting ready. Ready to slow my thoughts down. Ready to listen to my wisest self. Ready to be led in the directions of my highest calling. And by the way, just being ready feels unimaginably good. But don’t take my word for it. Learn to sit quietly for 15 minutes a day, and soon you too will be following your highest self towards your best life. I promise.
Stay tuned.
