New Month, New Mind
Have you ever heard the phrase "monkey mind"? If you haven't, I suspect you may have experienced this nonetheless. Our minds are created to explore the Universe! The challenge is to do just that...Explore the Universe!...without getting stuck in the past or being fearful of the future. The past can trap us in regret about unfortunate choices or grief over loss. The future can paralyze us because we truly cannot control what will happen next.
The Truth is that the only place we can create and experience peace is in this present moment. For me, the ability to remain in and live more fully from the present moment has come as I have developed a more simple and consistent meditation/spiritual practice. It has also come from living long enough to mature into my personal truth and respect the personal truth of others.
Easier said than done, right? I chose a picture of eagles for this blog for specific reasons. First of all, I took this picture in Alaska at the wildlife rehabilitation center. Rescued eagles are treated and given shelter, with as little direct human contact as possible, so that they can be released back into their natural habitat. My daughter and I cruised to Alaska twice and visited this center both times. The eagles in this photo were to be released soon. I also chose this photo because, in Native American traditions, Eagle is held in high esteem. It can spot prey from very high altitudes. It sees the earth from a higher perspective than other birds and than we do (unless we are in a plane). For me, Eagle is a beautiful and powerful teacher of spiritual truth. Staying in the moment requires me to view life from a different perspective, from higher ground. Living more fully in this present moment allows me to feed my Soul and to see, hear, and intuit the guidance of my Higher Power, Divine Love.
Does this mean there is no value in the past? Of course not. However, the value of the past is to let fun, happy memories lift me up when I feel weighed down by current world affairs or grief. For example, the tragedies unfolding in Ukraine right now. I think back to the strength, courage, and hope my parents taught me during the Viet Nam War. My brother (a fighter pilot with Air Force Academy classmates in the Hanoi Hilton) & my father (a B-52 pilot and the Wing Commander of the 22nd Bomb Wing) flew combat during the same year. I accompanied my mother, a general's wife, and the base chaplain to notify young wives when their husbands' plane went down and all were lost. I was in my early 20's. I also met & married during that time and helped plan the most amazing welcome home celebration when the B-52 wing returned. Joey Bishop & Debbie Reynolds joined us and the entire base came out for dinner, entertainment, and dancing. The event was held in one of the hangars - the only facility large enough to hold all of us! Oh mercy, we had fun! So much joy and laughter!
When I remember this, I know I can face life today and...whatever tomorrow may bring. When the darkness of the present moment threatens to overwhelm, I remember that joy may well come in the morning if I can find rest in the peace of my own Soul, My True Self...that part of my being that transcends my humanity and reminds me that I Am One with All That Is, with the Source of all Life, with Divine Love. I find this when I sit quietly in meditation and remember that I am holding a space of healing and peace today for those who suffer so deeply today.
May our minds be renewed each time we choose to remain in the now. May we choose a new way of be-ing, a new and present mind.
Contact me with questions, appointment requests, or whatever is on your mind and heart: [email protected] Please consider joining my online meditation groupπ
