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Easy Steps To Start Meditating
Here are ways to make meditation simple.
Everyone says how beneficial meditation is, but either finding a place to start or even the time to start is often the first road block. We wanted to share with you some simple, realistic ways to make meditation a part of your life and, in turn, experience the wonderful benefits.
Meditation originally was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. These days, meditation is commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction.
What are the benefits of meditation?
The em
otional benefits of meditation can include:
- Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
- Building skills to manage your stress
- Increasing self-awareness
- Focusing on the present
- Reducing negative emotions
Some research suggests that meditation may help people manage symptoms of conditions such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Depression
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Pain
- Sleep problems
Easy Steps To Start Meditating.
- Instead of thinking about your next event or facebook update, start to mind map your meditation, such as: the time of the day, place, and type of meditation.
- Pick a place where you know you won’t be interrupted by someone, your phone, or general technology. As much as sitting outside at the beach or the park sounds inviting, at the beginning, possibly pick a place in your home where you can maybe close the door. Save the outside for when you can focus completely on your meditation.
- When you pick a time, tell yourself you don’t have to stick with that time forever. The optimal time of the day is what is best for your schedule. It’s recommended to start your day with meditation so that you can continuously go back to that place with which you started your day. Just breathe
- A perfect meditation with which to start is a guided meditation. What is a guided meditation? A guided meditation is one that you listen to and follow along. The narrator will guide you with their words to help you breathe, visualize, and meditate. Click here for a free meditation – Loving Kindness Meditation. This is a 27 minute meditation designed for stress relief. If the length of this meditation is too long, start with the Timelessness Meditation. This is a perfect 10-minute guided meditation for connecting with your expansive breathe.
So now you know a little bit of the history, the reasons why to meditate, and some simple steps to making meditation a part of your life. Also, you don’t need to sit up, fancy yoga clothes, or a meditation altar. Start with just your time, place, and meditation. Once you start and create that connection with having an expansive breathe and calmness, you will want to stick with it. Don’t worry if a couple of days pass and you haven’t had time. Always know that it is there for you and all you have to do is pick a place and a time, and meditate.
Namaste!
We offer a free open to the public meditation every Friday at 6:30pm. The Loving Kindness Meditation has been offered for over 14 years on the North Shore in Evanston, Illinois. You are always welcome to walk in, no reservations required, and you don’t need to bring anything nor wear special attire. It’s a wonderful day to end the week and start your weekend. We would love to see you. MSI Wellness Center 2153 Ashland Ave Suite 3 Evanston IL 60201. Call for details 847-866-0505.
5 Ways To Create Peace of Mind
What does it mean to have peace of mind?
This is a very individualized question. Peace of mind is when you are free from the burdens that exist in everyday life. Sure, the trials and tribulations may still present themselves, but when you are experiencing peace, these burdens have no effect on you. Peace of mind comes from various sources. In order to have peace of mind, you must first be responsible to do what you know is right.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass,
it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
―Vivian Greene
Here are 5 ways to create peace of mind:
- Wish Good Things For Yourself
- Send a Prayer to Someone
- Take a walk and Send Blessings to Mother Earth
- Learn to Trust Yourself
- Express Gratitude
How can meditation bring peace of mind?
Meditation releases the stresses that are accumulated in our mind and leaves it fresh and clear. It brings the mind to the present moment. Will we feel like smiling in two hours? We can only plan for it. But, we can smile NOW. That is in our hands. Any action is possible only in the present moment. When we act with complete awareness of our current state and when the mind is totally attentive to the moment: the action is perfect and mistakes do not happen.
The floor is yours…
What’s gives you peace of mind when times are tough and stressful? Please leave a comment below and let us know.
What is Summer Solstice?
The first day of Summer
The summer solstice has been celebrated for centuries, with all sorts of traditions growing up around it. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is usually celebrated on the 21st of June, while in the southern hemisphere, it’s usually celebrated on the 21st of December.
The summer solstice occurs during a hemisphere’s summer. This is northern solstice in the northern hemisphere and the southern solstice in the southern hemisphere. When on a geographic pole, the sun reaches its greatest height, the moment of solstice.
Ways to personally celebrate the Summer Solstice…
Seek fulfillment from your life. The summer solstice heralds the beginning of summer. This also represents the time of fulfillment. This is an excellent time to take stock of your life and assess how your goals and aims are going. From the year’s earlier New Year’s resolutions to the big goals in your life, ask yourself how you’re doing in achieving these things for yourself and others you care about.
- Are you still aligned with your goals or have you strayed from them? Take this opportunity to reinvigorate them and to make any necessary changes to achieve your aims in life.
Consolidate your energies. The stability of summer and the promise of balmy, warmer days ahead is considered to be a time to develop yourself, to set yourself free and to nurture yourself. As the crops begin ripening, this is a time for self-maturation and for consolidating your energies. Take the easier nature of summer as a reason to make greater efforts to lose weight, to refresh your home (perhaps a new layout, maybe even a new home), to readjust your nutrition intake and to find an exercise that you really click with rather than doing one everyone else is doing.
- Start a new diet today using the fresh fruits and vegetables of summer as your base. Don’t just see it as a “diet” though; use this opportunity to align your thinking about food to one that involves eating more greens, more locally grown foods, more organic foods and less processed foods.
Honor the sun. If you enjoy doing yoga, there is a set of exercises known as the Sun Salutation or Salute to the Sun which you can perform. These exercises are intended to exercise both your body and your soul, balancing both in harmony through both meditation and physical movement in one. Begin this exercise on the morning of the summer solstice and aim to make it a daily habit from this time on.
Free Video Blog Inviting You To Celebrate Summer Solstice
Video Blog – Sedona Retreat Affirmation
About the Sedona Retreat
A spiritual gathering to embrace and experience sacred places and timelessness. This magical place invites you to open your heart and walk the ancient paths of many ancestors. Gathering together as a group to journey to new destinations. Billie Topa Tate and other Native Elders will honor us with medicine walks, sacred drumming, native American herbology and Sweat Lodge. All in a magical place where ceremony and Native people still grace the land. August 30 Saturday thru September 1 Monday 2014
What is an Affirmation
Spiritual affirmations are all part of a means through which an individual draws on the powers of the universe.
The intent is to help the individual change or shift his or her inner compass. By doing so, the ability to live healthy, happy and in peace can become a reality. Nevertheless, no matter what the type of affirmation, the source of change lies within.
Sedona Weekend Retreat Affirmation
Video Blog from Billie Topa Tate
Written Version
- I, ( place your name here)___________________ decree by the power of my good merits, I ask the universe to help me attend MSI’s Sedona Retreat 2014
- I will manifest the resources necessary for me to attend the MSI Sedona Retreat August 30th – thru September 1, 2014
- I will not increase or create any debt, and will be able to repay this debt within a 3 month time of incurring this debt
- I will have safe comfortable, timely, enjoyable travel from the time I leave for the trip until the time I return to my home including my travel in Sedona.
- I will have beautiful accommodations that are comfortable, cost effective, well maintained, roomy and conveniently close to the retreat site.
- My home, pets, family, business interests and job will be protected, kept healthy, Happy and Financially Successful. My family and work will be supportive of my attending our MSI Sedona 2014 Retreat.
- I will have more than enough money to spend on my retreat.
- I will enjoy good health – before, during and after our MSI Sedona retreat, I will be mindful of what is healthy for my mind body and spirit.
- I will utilize all my wisdom, discipline, inspiration, protection and assistance from my higher self and all my virtuous teachers in spirit to optimize my wonderful experience at our MSI Sedona Retreat. All this will manifest instantly and properly so be it now.
What is a Mystic?
What does it mean to be a mystic?
A mystic removes the barrier that stands between himself and another person by trying to
look at life, not only from his own point of view, but also from the point of view of another.
A mystic is someone who seeks a personal experience with the divine rather than through a religion. One who is able to tap into the divine meanings and understandings of each and every happening in one’s life.
How Can One Become A Mystic?
To become a mystic, a person must first train their body and mind to think like a mystic though courses with a master teacher. Other mystic tips include:
- During your travel to and from work, practice a mantra to remove all obstacles. This can be done either coming or going and you may sing it out-loud or with your inner voice. click here for the “Om Ah Hum Meditation” Cd.
- During the day, practice wisdom and be mindful to eliminate ignorance which is fear, anger, jealousy, envy, judgement and laziness. Then, practice wisdom and be mindful to incorporate gentleness, compassion, understanding, strength and patience. Be joyful.
- Before bed time, draw yourself a peaceful salt bath, preform skin brushing and a neti pot. Additional techniques can be found in the Daily Practices Manual.
To further your life and understanding as a mystic, follow the guidance and teachings of our 16 CD Set (now on sale).
Learn the principles and techniques of living your life as a mystic. Experience intuitive understanding and realization of the meaning of existence, taught by mystical master teacher and elder of the Mescalero Apache Tradition.
