JINGLE YOUR STRESS AWAY
By Allyson Phelan
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Med-i-tate today
The holidays may drive you mad
It’s the perfect time to pray
HEY!
Jingle Bells Jingle Bells
Breathe your stress away
Chillax, relax or take a nap
And enlighten up your day
HEY!
Meditating, praying, breathing, chilling, relaxing and napping are all wonderful resources to help get us through the most wonderful time of the year. I LOVE the holidays for so many reasons. The spirit of giving and generosity, the beautiful storefronts and packages, the endless celebrations with family and friends, the magical moments of an Elf on the Shelf, the sounds of reindeer flying through the sky and the HO HO HO of that jolly ole’ St. Nick. And for the believers, the birth of baby Jesus, our Savior and
Lord.
What also comes with this season all wrapped in a bow is a group of over worked, sleep deprived, frustrated people under a ton of pressure to get it all done by December 24th. And yes, I too am one of those people and in order to continue to spread Christmas Cheer meditation is my happy place.
Now for many of you when you hear the word meditation you get a visual of monks or Buddhists or hippies or Hari Krishna’s sitting below a fig tree wrapped in saffron robes, chanting sacred text with legs crossed and hands in various positions referred to as Mudras as the clear their mind and think of… nothing. Sure, like that’s going to happen. And yes, I too was one of those people who thought just the same.
Fast forward to cancer… I know, what a shock but this is how meditation became a staple in my daily routine. You see, I was in so much pain that the only place I found some form of comfort was in the bath tub. I would take 2-3 baths per day and one day I started praying in the bath. Being Catholic and a very traditional woman in many ways, I stuck to the classics which also happen to be my favorite prayers. I started praying the Our Father and Hail Mary back to back, over and over. Suddenly, the most surreal feeling washed over me. I was in perfect health, no pain, completely able, laughing and frolicking in the Clear Space… the name I have given this dimension of consciousness.
It was euphoria. My Clear space was Heavenly, and I was complete. Transcending played such a vital role in helping me heal not only my body but also easing my distressed mind and allowing light to enter my soul. I have mastered my journey to the Clear Space and now it is a part of me.
This is how I learned to meditate. Devine intervention? Maybe, but the point is that you too can learn to calm yourself, take the edge of and practice peace within by implementing some kind, any kind of meditation. You do not need a robe, or a tree, hand positions, mantras, chants or even a bathtub.
It’s simple if you allow it to be. Sit, lay, or find a position that is comfortable. Close your eyes. Relax your body and listen to your breath. Slow it down. Thoughts. There will be many thoughts racing through your head. It’s ok. Do not try to stop them… allow them to flow through and eventually they will flow away. Be still. Do this for at least 10minutes per day to start and you will naturally increase your time as you continue to practice.
“The more regularly and the more deeply you meditate, the sooner you will find yourself acting always from a center of peace.”
J. Donald Walters
If we implemented mediation in every school, workplace and home I am one thousand percent sure we would operate as a society on a much higher frequency and the chaos of our world would begin to take on a more peaceful existence.
My Clear Space, I take it with me wherever I go and use it every single day, especially during the holidays.