Meditation on the Stories Our Lives are Telling (3 minute audio)
What if it really doesn’t matter what you do?
What if all that really matters is how you do whatever you do?
What would you do?
How would you do it?
How do you make love to the world?
What is the story your life is telling?
From Oriah Mountain Dreamer’s The Dance pp 152-153
Since I recently taught a daylong meditation retreat, I’ve been considering the value of my daily meditation practice. This morning I meditated on the ferry to Seattle. I stepped off the boat, contemplating what it means to bring the state of meditation into my waking state, my work state? I made my usual stop at Starbucks and Sarah McLachlan’s Angels was playing. As they were making my Grande Soy Latte, I tuned in to Sarah’s angelic voice and lyrics. Although I have heard this song about 100 times, I noticed that I was listening today from a place deep in my heart. I was in a state beyond planning the elements and order of my “to do” list; a transcendent perspective overflowing with compassion, wisdom and creativity. Today I remember who I really am at my core and that most certainly does impact how courageously I show up as a leader in my world. How truly amazing is that?
Here is my favorite recorded guided meditation CD:
My most successful clients have great discipline. While I have a strong ability to focus, when it comes to discipline, I tend to get all harsh and controlling with myself. My old pattern is to approach the discipline of maintaining a schedule, planning and maintaining the systems that support me with a heavy intensity.
Although I get things accomplished this way, it’s often a recipe for dragging me into the dust. Can discipline have a feeling of flowing freedom and spontaneous joy?
When I get right down to the root of how this can be possible, it has to start with disciplining my mind. Having my mind serve me, here in the present, as opposed to compulsively painting one picture after another of my past present and future, my character, the world I live in, my relationships. You know, the endless list.
Here’s what I think is the linchpin of Advancing with Discipline & Freedom. Focus first on disciplining the mind through Retreating into a daily meditation practice. I’m pretty sure the ULTIMATE freedom is stilling the mind so it can rest in the Heart, the source of deep wisdom, spontaneity, love and creativity. (OK… ALL the good stuff.)
Once the mind rests into a Heart centered focus and presence, all the scheduling, planning and systems will flow powerfully with great ease. That my friend is a path to success that I can sign up for!
Context. “The Road” is a 10 ft wide lane of crumbling blacktop that winds along next to the ashram. OK…here we go:
