The Dharma Room

Its been 70 consecutive days that I've been meditating every morning.  No doubt if you've talked with me during this time, you know that I have been singing the praises of meditation practice to anyone who will hear.  I feel that I am much calmer, have much more awareness of my emotions, and can access them and process them with greater ease and less judgement.  I feel that I have gained a ever-pervading sense of serenity that infuses my days.  And, dare I say it, a sense of clarity!

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the meditation cushion...when you get to feeling so good for a long period of time, there comes a moment when life reminds you that your "HUMAN" and you feel like you've stumbled back a few steps.  I'll spare you the details of what happened, but suffice it to say, I lost my sense of calm and confidence for a few days and thought to myself..."What the heck?  I've been MEDITATING for crying out loud!  This isn't supposed to be happening to me anymore!" 

Oh yes, but it is!  I cannot forget that I am human and am learning every day, every moment to put these universal principles to work in my life.  Some situations will be easy, some...not so much.  And that is life.  Period. 

So what's the point of meditating?  The BIG point is that I could let my inner light be completely clouded over by these experiences and live from a place of darkness and doubt.  With my own personal example, I take a look back at how I would have handled the same situation years ago, and indeed there is a stark difference.  I could have easily allowed myself to not only let my emotions drive my actions, but in examining my meditation practice, I could have easily scolded myself for "failing" and rode the downward spiral to despair.

But now, its different.  I can look at my emotions, even watch them happen without judgement and then quickly reroute myself to a higher vibration.  I can immediately ask "What am I feeling?  Is it anything other than the best?  If so, what do I need to do to raise myself up?"  I then take appropriate action (or inaction, as the case may be) and move on to the next NOW moment.  And in the end...here's the bonus...I can be thankful for the experience!  Ever grateful that I get to live this life, learn, grow, recreate myself and come closer and closer to the realization of the Universal Divinity in everything.

So, what good is a meditation practice?  Infinite Good!!