The Top 10 Methods of Meditation

Originally Submitted on 1/17/00. Published 3/2/00

Readily recommended throughout the ages, meditation serves as our own personal fountain of peace. Whether studied or spontaneous, meditation fulfills our deepest need for serenity and self-knowledge. To follow are several classic routes to realization. Remember, know the modality JUST enough to know thyself-- then let the method fall away into the truth of your being...

1. Sitting
as in "just sitting." Finding a comfortable position and resting therein for longer than you think you can.

2. Trancendental Meditation
TM has been practiced for ages, and can offer a sense of order to a chaotic mind.

3. Breathwork
Witnessing breathing for a given time, or making the breath flow a certain way, offers us opportunities to slide by an awfully big brain.

4. Loving-kindness
Meditation on specific emotions can illumine our eternal heart. Contemplating Gratitude, Faith, and Humility can do wonders for you and your worldly "team mates" too.

5. Guided
Making your body comfortable as you listen to teachers & tapes walk you through the levels and lands of your growing awareness. By nature of this modality alone, you can transform through Trust...

6. Walking
Who says your body must be still for your mind to become a minor player? Moving in rhythm can make your mind quickly hit the theta stride (in other words, oscillating in tandem to the vibration of creation).

7. Yoga
Or how about movement AND stillness for those of you who want to mix it up? From hatha yoga your body grows malleable, as does your mind-- Increasing your flexibilty offers you peace in surprises and a self-knowing that transcends discomfort.

8. Music
Listen loud, and listen long to sounds that truly insprire you... To whom exactly are those words sung? Where will that melody move you? After all, do we really need the "roadies" to soar to the stars?

9. Mantra
...can make your whole life a moving meditation. Meaning-filled words spoken or inner-whispered repeatedly, shift your experience. Mantra need not be granted or assigned, as we can personally choose what we want to exude. Why not choose a phrase and meditate today?

10. Chanting
Compelling sounds can make our bodies respond positively and our thinking quiet down. In this sound-creation space we hear only grace, and FEEL the movement of miracles within.

About the Submitter:
This piece was originally submitted by Elizabeth Mullen, Principal LifeCoach of CornerstoneCoachingTM, who can be reached at em@cornerstonecoaching.com, or visited on the web. Elizabeth Mullen wants you to know: Meditation is a lot like toilet paper. It's really only serious when you don't have enough. .

 

 

 

CornerStoneCoachingTM Idea of the Week www.cornerstonecoaching.com US Coach Phone 401-423-3428

March 8, 2000

Super (duper) Computer What would you do if you had one day access to use the most advanced computer in the world? Not only can this computer calculate and correlate anything at record speed, but it also offers several astonishing facilities: 1. this computer is able to immediately evaluate past events and future possibilities and create workable strategies to bridge them. 2. this computer can solve more than one problem at a time. In fact, the more challenges it faces simultaneously, the faster and more effectively it solves the others. 3. this computer runs on electricity, derived automatically from its environment. 4. this computer remembers every piece of data ever to enter its sphere, and it can instantly recall any piece of information, no matter how overlooked, to accomplish the task at hand. 5. this computer automatically and effortlessly reprograms itself to become better integrated into its environment. It will imbibe sights, sounds, and data and find ways to utilize all of it to accomplish its immediate task. 6.this computer can create new ideas by a powerful application hard-wired in. 7. this computer can influence its environment. Not only can it "read" the user, it can also adjust it's output accordingly. 8. though able to beat the stock market, determine the cure for cancer, and win political elections; this computer costs nothing to operate. So what challenges would you offer if today was your day? Maximize your mind. This is it.   Copyright 2000 by Elizabeth Mullen. All rights reserved. May be electronically transmitted with copyright information intact for non-commercial purposes only.

The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor. - Robert Collier

 

 

CornerStoneCoachingTM Idea of the Week

March 20, 2000

God is Dog Spelled Backwards Today as my dog and I rounded the loopy roadway at our favorite park, I noticed something. Wing was not following me. He had found a stinky, appealing piece of garbage that he busily was wolfing down. I turned and took a few steps back toward him. He stayed where he was. I called and called. And still, he stayed where he was. Then in a counter-intuitive moment of inspiration, I started to run away from him, on course in our original direction. I turned my gaze to notice Wing running frantically after me. He did catch up, and a warm welcome he received for joining me. He remained close by for the rest of the walk. As a pack animal, perhaps he was scared that I would leave him. Maybe as a dog, he knew his place was with his master. I delight in Wing's independence. And I get concerned about his safety when he doesn't obey. I wonder if God is like this too. I've heard this old adage many times: if you take one step towards God, several more steps will be taken toward you. I also wonder if we do not step closer, if God runs away from us. I wonder if God leaves us sometimes, as a way of pulling us back on course. Maybe this is done strategically, with great concern for our ultimate well being. Perhaps God never loses sight of us, trusting the magnetic bond that will ultimately make us move toward each other. Those times we feel separation, it might just be a follow-up to an unheeded call. A dynamic wake up to bring us back into the pack. As I walked on with Wing, I felt the leash awkwardly hanging around my waist, and the feel of the crisp air in my lungs. I sounded many 'good boy's' to my wonderful companion, and marveled at his loyalty. Why did he always come? Wing only hesitated for a second when he saw me continuing on the adventure without him. No stinky gook can compete with the possibilities of some large game around the corner. Or maybe he just wanted to be with his master, feeling connected and safe. Maybe he was just "supposed" to be there. I love my dog, and I know he is oh so intelligent. But really, I may need to face the fact: Wing just knows where his kibble really comes from.... Woof.   Copyright 2000 by Elizabeth Mullen. All rights reserved. May be electronically transmitted with copyright information intact for non-commercial purposes only. www.cornerstonecoaching.com

A man who has one thousand friends cannot spare a one.
–Emerson

 

 

 

March 27, 2000 MAGICAL THINKING WORKS

If you have ever thought "step on a crack, break your mothers back," or set up a game with yourself; "if I know the stats on every player, then my team will win," then you have experienced magical thinking. This is normally thought of as a childish thing to do. It has also been denounced as an unscientific and unstable way of thinking. The classic version of magical thinking is the child who gets an asthma attack every time his parents fight. The child thinks that his illness actually causes peace. In a tidy world of cause and effect one might say that an asthma attack can not do this... What I'd like to point out here is that in Reality, magical thinking does indeed work. I'd also like to mention that this process is teeming in mystery. It cannot be fully explained by science (although quantum physics seems to be on track). This does not in any way diminish its effectiveness, however. And I encourage you to look a little more closely at what it can offer you. Take for instance that child with asthma. Regardless of the lack of data as to WHY an attack should stop adults from fighting, is the undeniable evidence that every time that kid gets sick, his parents stop fighting and focus instead on him. It may not make sense, but there it is...empirical data. This child actually has perceptive abilities greater than many adults. That is, he is able to see what really happens, instead of the illusion of what is 'supposed to' happen. Seeing the world through the lens of what is 'supposed to' happen, IS a more educated way of viewing the world. Unfortunately it is also less effective. As adults we need to assess whether we want a prize for rationality, or a lifetime of results. Disregarding real evidence because it does not fit the collective idea of what is "supposed to" work, is tantamount to denying yourself the results you want. As adults, we can have a far more fulfilling life by noticing (like a kid) what is actually working, and maximizing it consciously. Take for instance a relationship that is a challenge for you. Perhaps you believe that you are supposed to get along in a certain way- maybe peacefully. So you apply what you've learned that you are supposed to do to make that happen, and it doesn't work. Harumph. Then one day you pick a fight, or swear, or walk out, or act in a manner contrary to how you are supposed to act. And what happens? You get a gentle & kind response, and experience something closer to what you were aiming for. Why is this? And is this what you really want? Now I am not advocating contrary behavior, but I am advocating paying attention. See, a person may believe (and say) they want harmony, but actually only feel good when they are fighting. Another example is a boss who may say he/she wants authority, but may actually respond better when being told what to do by a subordinate. Contrary strategies do not universally work. But by taking action in a new way, they offer Real empirical evidence. A given strategy's effectiveness depends entirely on the individuals involved. Some parents might just start arguing about the kid's doctor bills at the onset of an asthma attack. The asthma is not what causes peace universally, but it most certainly creates peace in our first example family. So what can you do in ANY situation where you are not receiving the results you want? This is where you decide what it is that you ultimately want, and act accordingly. In many situations, you can have what you want AND help the other person meet their needs. Just as long as you first know what these things are. Recognize the truth of your situation, notice what action produces what result, and allow that truth to stand on its own. Avoid analysis, and embrace evaluation. Why something works or doesn't work is unimportant. Knowing that it does is what makes you effective. Enjoy your childlike mind, watch for real results and use YOUR success strategies that actually work. Leave the science out of your personal life, and enjoy the fruits of mystery. Magical thinking works. Acknowledge it. Copyright 2000 by Elizabeth Mullen. All rights reserved. May be electronically transmitted with copyright information intact for non-commercial purposes only.

GLOBAL QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

If every international conflict could be resolved with three words, what would they be?

CORNERSTONE QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

When you come right down to it, the ground you stand on is the ground you stand on. –E.M.

There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there. - Indira Gandhi

 

 

 

 

April 5, 2000 Why Achievers Achieve

 

A wise monk once said: the moment you set foot on the path, you traverse it entirely. Relishing this first step is at the heart of what makes achievers achieve.

Many of us have been taught that some people have a special passion, a stronger drive, a greater desire. Maybe we were led to believe that this is what makes a person achieve great things...Great inspiration and a special touch. But what if we don't think we have that?!

Truth is: we all crave accomplishment in our lives-- even the most anxious non-achiever. Perhaps this kind of person is the one who actually desires it most.

So driven are non-achievers, that they often become absorbed in thoughts of their goal: "What should I do? What if it doesn't work? What if I choose wrongly?" This kind of thinking keeps them focused only on their last few steps, but prevents them from taking their first one. Their passion blooms in their minds, but their feet stay still.

Achievers, on the other hand, are driven by the road, not the goal. Sure, they know what they are aiming for, but their greatest pleasure lies in their first steps, their simplest daily actions. Achievers fear not a mis-step-- they revel in them! As long as they are trying new paths, dancing across the crossroads of life, they feel good. Achievers find their greatest pleasure in taking steps, and therefore, take more of them.

Achievers know there is nothing like sauntering across the finish line, face to face with their goal. Except that this last step is not what they were most looking for. It was their FIRST step that mattered to them, and then the first one after that, the first one after that...

You can ponder forever the perfect road, and let your passions burn a hole right through you. Or you can put that fire under your feet and take calmly to the unknown road...

Step lively, dear achiever, step lively!

 

ABOUT THE ROAD>>>>> Now WHY the first step always ensures the goal has been the subject of innumerable esoteric texts and philosophies. I can not give you a tidy explanation, but can invite you to examine the greatest accomplishments in your own life... To follow is an example to further clarify: Bob and Jim individually have inklings about going to Detroit. Bob thinks about the route, the RIGHT route to get there. He thinks ramifications, he talks about his desire endlessly. Bob even delights in the thought of crossing the city line, and worries about the obstacles he might face. He weighs and reweighs his options, he wonders what he is supposed to do there. He wants it-- just as soon as he figures it all out.. . Then there's Jim: going to Detroit doesn't even appeal to him that much. What's he going to do when he's there. But Jim doesn't care, it is something new to do. So Jim checks out the bus fares, he calls his friend to tell him he's going to Detroit. Jim highlights a route on his atlas, just because he likes the highway number. Heck, Jim jumps in his car and drives 5 miles in that direction just for fun. Unfortunately the schedule dictates that today isn't the day.... but how about 6 miles closer tomorrow? Who gets there first? How about you?

GLOBAL QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the most positive result of war? What are three other ways to get THAT? CORNERSTONE QUOTES OF THE WEEK: The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings. - David Weinbaum The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor. - Robert Collier

 

 

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