Time for meditation

The day after Beau (our beloved 14 year old male Shih-Tzu) crossed the Rainbow Bridge, I realized our morning walk (when I’d do my walking meditation) could become my regular sitting meditation practice time. I knew I could honor Beau (during my meditation time) by sitting with a blanket in the spot where he had made his transition to the “beyond”. Also, I could place the two small stuffed animals (my loving husband had given me years ago) near me, to sort of represent our kids with fur, Beau and Lou-Lou. Two little stuffed representatives to comfort me somehow.

Why meditate?

• To center oneself emotionally, mentally, and spiritually within your being
• To nurture self and enhance well-being
• To take note of thoughts
• To expand the space between thoughts – which sharpens one’s focus over time and makes the mind serviceable
• To allow self to connect with God – our LIMITLESS Ever-Living Filling-All-Space Creator. (More about that connection here.)

My meditation time is priceless to me.

Meditation class

After taking structured meditation classes, I realize that I’ve always meditated, just not in any structured way. I have learned methods from Dr. Alison J. Kay and a MeetUp group, and I continue to learn. A couple of weeks into my new sitting meditation routine, I visited Alania Starhawk’s crystal shop and studio in Largo, FL (Alania also runs a MeetUp group) and I was drawn to two wonderful “sister” crystals, which I brought home and proceeded to incorporate into my meditation seating arrangement.

Beginning to meditate

When I begin my actual meditation, I set a timer next to me (UPDATE: I was right, after two months, I did not need the timer).

I settle and relax my body into a comfortable position with my legs crossed. I envision the light from the sister crystal next to my left foot, entering my body in a spiral fashion, clicking into place all of the gears or points of connection on each chakra wheel (beginning with the root/red chakra, sacral/orange, solar plexus/yellow (always visualizing a sun rise), up into the heart/green chakra (where everything grows from the sun and filters out as love to all in my community, city, county, state, country, continent, and world).

Continuing, the Energy blooms into the throat/blue chakra, and to the purple third-eye chakra, where levers and switches get flipped up or down, and re-calibrate as necessary whatever needs to be accurately tuned, through the very essence and into the center of my body, aligning my spine, reaching out through the light of the other sister crystal in my right hand, and finally, connecting with Limitless Creator Source Energy God via my crown chakra (top of my head).

I naturally come out of my meditation with a word, or phrase from the Divine.

Honored Connections

When Beau passed, I wanted a pillow with a picture of him on it, but it took me awhile to figure out the picture and how to obtain it.

One day, I looked at the beautiful Awakened Fibers wall hanging in our bedroom and realized who I’d ask. I reached out to Mary Ann Pickard, owner of Awakened Fibers — and she was more than happy to create my Beau pillow! I commissioned her to make one pillow for me and one for my granddaughter (who also loved Beau, often asking to see him when we’d Skype or Google Hangout).

Whem the pillows were finished, I met Mary Ann to pick them up. I was elated! She had lovingly designed and created such extraordinary pillows! So much detail, like the hidden zipper (so Jennie wouldn’t catch herself on it), along with super neat trim (blue cording on mine / frilly lace on Jennie’s) — really artistically crafted!

Upon returning home, I immediately sensed that I would use my new “Beau pillow” during my meditation. My yellow shirt is from Rekha (of India Artisans, Sarasota FL which was next door to the Crystal Cave a beautiful crystal shop.

Other meditations

Moving meditation

I did stair climbing meditation five days a week for more than two years. I used that time to de-stress from my tasks, stretch, practice Jin Shin Jyutsu, pray, and even practice Pilates and other movements to build and tone my body. I gained much calm during that time.

Sitting meditation

My sitting meditation is something I really look forward to each morning though. It’s a quiet, tranquil time where I feel totally nurtured and supported by All There Is.

A time where the walls of “me” melt away and allow me to become ONE with All There Is, know and feel exceedingly that, We Are All Connected.

Focused meditation

You don’t need to have “things” around you when you meditate – but I have found that for now, these are pleasing to me and anchor me to my little piece of heaven on earth.

Quick recap

You can actually meditate with your eyes open! Just pick a point to focus on. Also, clearing your mind isn’t the goal. The goal (over time with consistent practice) is to make the mind serviceable.

You can use a phrase instead of a word. You can try walking meditation if sitting annoys you. The point is to observe and detach. Notice who (or what) is thinking the thoughts and let each gracefully float away. Oh, and no spirituality is required. OM ❤️🦋🌀 Namaste. OM

UPDATE April 2019: My morning routine has changed. Now, I mentally say, “Thank you.” Then before I get out of bed, I do this actual breathwork (yes, with this link): https://youtu.be/lcC_DUtNr1M Then, before brushing my teeth I look in the bathroom mirror, look into my eyes and say out loud, “Thank you mom and thank you dad for creating me”! (As both are in the Grand Beyond now). And then shower, dress, and do some yoga, Pilates, and/or Qigong. A little later in the morning, I do this exercise too: https://youtu.be/PwJCJToQmps

For beginners

Here are a few things I’ve found in common between all the various meditation teachers I have learned from:

• Focus on your breath
• Your mind will wander
• As thoughts enter, allow them to float on by as if on a cloud
• Stay unattached to external sounds or environmental conditions
• Return to the breath
• Start with one or two minutes
• Sit comfortably in the same place each day
• Try to meditate at the same time each day

After some practice, allowing the thoughts to float by and finding the space growing in between the thoughts is what is most important. Namaste. OM ❤️🦋🌀🙏

To our feeling great, better health, and longevity,

Sheila Murrey

Your alternative health researcher, joyful wellness guinea pig, and mindful Mind-Body-Spirit guru! Reach out to me if you need a boost, or a boot, to get yourself back in charge of YOUR well-being.Take it upon yourself to be healthy, joyful, wholly vibrant, and beautiful. And yes, it’s important to take good care of yourself because, We Are All Connected.

A bit about me:

An Amazon bestselling author of two co-authored books: “Transform Your Life Book 2 Inspirational Stories and Expert Advice” and “Energy of Receiving”, available on Amazon. Plus, the brand new book that’s been in the making for 13 years, Take It Upon Yourself to Live a Wholly Vibrant Life, is available for online sale and distribution (PDF format). Buy it here.

Be the best version of who you want to be.

Information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe.