Do you ever (or frequently) find yourself pulled in many directions at once? Everything seems important, compelling or maybe we’re pulled just out of habit, or perhaps meeting the expectations of others? I do. Occasionally I find myself at the point where I feel paralyzed not knowing where to begin, what project takes priority, which family member or friend is going through a rough patch and needs my attention? And what about me and doing the things I do to be as healthy physically and mentally as I can be? What to do? Or non-do? When I feel bombarded by so many demands and choices, I have a meditation practice that is very helpful. I sit still, sometimes on a cushion, or the couch or in the car, I close my eyes, drop inside, connecting my awareness with my heart; and ask the question; “What is the most important thing? What is the most important thing to my core values? What is time sensitive? I sit quietly, very still, and breathe with this question. Invariably sometimes quickly, sometimes after a while, an answer will inevitably arise from deep within. And I know what to do next.
Practicing mindfulness meditation, even for a few minutes, may bring this kind of clarity, and foster the capacity to stay connected with ourselves in the midst of the many demands of our complex lives .
Often people say, “I’m too busy to meditate, I just have to keep getting things done.” But if we look at our efficiency, executive decision making part of the brain, and most importantly our hearts calling and our ethics, we may find that without pausing from time to time, we just plow ahead with what ever is loudest –from the outside, not actually getting things done that are most important to us.. Over time it may feel like our life is not really our own.
What if you could make some space- at the beginning of the New Year, in a beautiful place with caring high level teachers, delicious healthy food, with time in silence to practice meditation and Yoga? Silent retreat practice, gives us time (with support), to connect with what matters most. We can carry this with us, as we reintegrate into the world. We invite you to explore one of our many retreats coming in 2020, starting with our popular New years retreat – January 2-7th, at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, Yucca Valley, CA.
Visit here to find out about our 2020 retreat offerings. In addition to the California January retreat, you’ll find a spring retreat in Florida, and a summer retreat in Southern California.
We’ll have a second retreat in Northern California in later June and one on the East Coast with Chris Germer in October which will be posted in our next newsletter or found on the web shortly. Retreat Practice really does lead us home to our hearts.