I AM NOT A PURIST! While many believe that practices must be done in a specific way, I do not. This is who I am…I rebel against rules, things that are uncomfortable, things that don’t work right away, etc. While I have shifted enough to allow more of the above, I still know that, for me, it doesn’t matter which side of the nose you breathe through, or how you sit, or whether you lie down, or what exact words you say. From that perspective, I share the following with you:

The metta meditation is powerful in its simplicity. I have further simplified it by bringing it into my moments, on the fly. When I realize I’m pushing against someone, judging them or just not liking them, I use a shortened version of the lovingkindness meditation: “May I be happy…May (person’s name) be happy”, continuing through as much of the basic meditation as necessary for me to begin to shift. The more I use this, the easier it has become to shift my reaction to others in the moment.

Walking in gratitude serves me well, especially when my mind is stuck in something. If there’s a labyrinth nearby, I enjoy using that practice as well. Walking in nature, near water, in the woods…ah….

My daily meditation(s) have included the rewiring meditation for a long time. I use affirmations during the day to keep my “I Am…” statements fresh.

Shared Time has been part of my practice for years. It started with a friend who was in Re-evaluation Counseling, an international lay counseling group. Although the RC model goes much further, I enjoy the simplicity of shared time because of the space to just be me out loud without fear of judgment or answering questions or even making sense.

I have found great joy, profound grief and opportunities for experience of the divine as I allow music to carry me home.

Header Image courtesy of Eloecea