Cultivate a Sense of Innocence, Wonder and Acceptance

It is helpful to experience our meditation practice (and life!) with a sense of curiosity and wonder. Before you begin your meditation practice, put on your innocent “child’s eyes,” let go of expectations and give your internal critic some time off. There is no particular way you have to be and no particular experience you have to have during your meditation today. Simply sit easily and begin the practice, experience whatever is without judgment or strain, and when you notice you have drifted away from the practice easily come back. Appreciate this time to be still.

If possible choose one meditation technique for your daily practice and stick with it. Give it an honest chance. Experience. Trust that your body, your intuition and your power of discrimination will show you what is right for you. Observe for yourself if it brings benefit into your daily life. Are you experiencing less stress and feeling more lighthearted? Do you notice subtle changes in your perception that are creating a greater sense of well being? Are you less reactive? Are your relationships improving? Are you finding more peace even when things don’t go your way? Are you finding your desires are more easily fulfilled? Are you struggling less? Or is it something else… some other change?

Once you are comfortable with your daily meditation practice you may want to explore adding other techniques to your routine. For fun! The following is a Kundalini yoga meditation that helps to bring us into the moment, reminding us to lighten up and that things are okay just the way they are. Try practicing it every day, 11 minutes a day, for 40 days and see if it helps to bring more joy and ease into your life.

Smiling Meditation

Sit comfortably with a straight spine. Hold the arms up, bent at a 30 degree angle, palms facing forward, index finger and pointer finger pointed straight up, ring and pinky fingers folded across palm with the thumb crossing over and resting on top of them and… Smile. Close your eyes, bring your awareness to your brow point and silently repeat the mantra “saa, taa, naa, maa.”

Saa, taa, naa and maa are bija mantras representing the cycle of life. Using these sounds in meditation has a soothing effect upon the nervous system, subtly reminding us that everything is okay just the way it is.

When we don’t take ourselves too seriously we enjoy life more. Through that joy we find that we have more to give.