When I was 19 years old, I read a book called “The Lazy Man’s Guide to Enlightenment” by Thaddeus Golas. Since then, I’ve read it again at various times in my life. This book motivated me to change my vibration level by meditating. Over time and changing circumstances, and most likely because of my Christian background, I began to use meditation as a means to secure necessities and desires. Coming full circle, I have returned to my original intent to change my vibration and energy, to increase my awareness, and to go deeper into understanding.
Many years ago, I received an awareness that, no matter what happened, I was to remain seated within a circle. I didn’t fully comprehend this at the time. Looking back years later, I saw that I ran away from intense challenges or ran aggressively forward in confrontation. Never did I sit quietly in contemplation or acceptance. Over time, I grew tired of banging my head against the wall. I grew weary of and exhausted from conflict, resentment, and pain resulting from judgment and condemnation – whether mine or that of others.
Now, I primarily meditate to center myself, to connect to that which is Eternal and Infinite, and to access within myself joy, peace, harmony, and understanding. I now fully understand what it means to stay seated within my circle. Not only do I meditate, I find time to be still, to read, to listen and reflect.
I practice various forms of meditation. I prefer to sit in silence. Sometimes, however, I cannot stop my thoughts and my mind races with worry, fear, and anxiety. In these situations, I use guided meditations. On occasion, I fall sleep with selected meditations playing in my ear. I believe in the adage, “Thoughts held in mind produce in kind.” From personal experience, I know that – regardless of the reason, rationale, or justification – unproductive energy will materialize in my life when negativity of any kind emanates from my thoughts, speech, and behavior. So I’ve got to keep my mind focused on the positive by any means necessary.
Meditation, whether silent or guided, helps to calm me. It helps me to hold onto my faith while I’m going through the fire. One morning, I awoke agitated, upset, and overwhelmed with panic and dread. I had no desire to do anything but lie in bed with the covers pulled over my head. I decided to mediate. An hour later, I experienced a peace that I carried throughout the day.