The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Today's reading in the C2C speaks about the power of meditation. The reading breaks down the definition of meditation into an easy to understand form as It defines meditation as ability to think contemplatively and that to
contemplate simply means to " view thoughtfully."
In the beginning of my recovery . I thought meditation was too difficult for me because my mind was always racing and that I would be unable to participate in this part of recovery. When I came upon this reading , I felt the door to meditation open and a willingness to attempt this simplified form
The reading reminded me that every moment that I take the time to calm my minds and think through the day ahead, I am meditating. During these quiet moments when I cleared my mind, I can ask HP to guide me to find answers. I discovered that I could do that with ease and the amazing results prompted me to continue.
The reading is very explicit about listening to and acting on the guidance we may receive. It points out that we should not disregard our inner voice just because the guidance seems difficult and my cause a little turmoil. It reminds us that we have instincts and that HP gave us the instincts to help us and not as a hindrance.
The thought for today states that we must bear in mind and focus on what is essential for each day. We must release any unimportant thoughts and allow ourselves be guided to the best action we can take for the day. Regardless of how simple the answer may seem, I will listen without judgment. I will not take my thoughts for granted because they may be my only guide.
Quote is from William Shakespeare; "I go to your bosom, knock there and ask your heart what it doth know".
Taking time, not reacting, reciting the serenity prayer, using the slogans, all helped me to develop the ability to utilize this powerful program tool.
Prayer and meditation are now part of my daily routine and I am so pleased that I no longer react or obsess about the past or future, but stay in the day and live.
I do hope you try this simple method -- you will be pleased.
Thanks Betty - a great and powerful daily today is a gift for those of us (me, me, me) with a racing mind. I used to wonder when I tried to meditate why we weren't created with an off/on switch for our thinking brains - ha..ha!
I had always had difficulty slowing my brain/mind long enough to pray meaningfully and / or meditate. It is through simple instructions like this that I was able to improve. I still have problems at time, so it seems I do best when focus on my breathing when I start thinking. I learned this from some google research and the suggestion was simple - if you are trying to meditate, and you begin to think about other stuff, just think about your breathing - in/out - in/out.
It does bring me back to center pretty good! I am mindful of that voice within me and pause often to listen and consider what I am hearing/thinking/feeling. It has saved me over and over and over again as far as this program, the tools and my ability to not react as I used to.
Hugs to all - make it a super day!!
__________________
Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Thank you for sharing this page and your experience. The mind is a busy place, not all of its traffic is necessary, and some can be downright harmful. If we take every thought in our minds as reality, we can find ourselves traveling some unhealthy thought paths.
AlAnon guided me to tools that helped me realize that much of my thought traffic was directed to the unimportant and unproductive: things I could not or should not try to change. My first real efforts to meditate came in the form of quiet, deliberate focus on the Serenity Prayer and how it applied to a specific, troubling situation. With a little practice, it became a powerful tool that I use every morning to start my day.
The chatter in our minds can be influenced by patterns of thought and behavior that are not healthy. Meditation is a wonderful opportunity to practice replacing old thinking with the healing principles of the Program. Today's readings in ODAT and HFT are complimentary and touch on how we can make meaningful progress a little bit each day.
So grateful for the wisdom of the program and your service!
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you Iam Here and Paul for your thoughts on this important alanon tool .
Paul I'm glad you pointed out that concentrating on our thoughts, revealed the simple truth thatmany of these thoughts were regarding unimportant unproductive things. Simply focusing on the serenity prayer is a great means of meditation . I appreciate this idea as i used a slogan such as zlet go and Let Go over and over in my head until the obsession clears.
I appreciate each of you for your continued support and your wisdom.
This sounds like a great reading, Betty! Thanks for sharing it.
I've been a believer in meditation for many years. For most of that time, though,
I haven't done it. My biggest problem is falling asleep when I close my eyes.
Some say that's not a bad thing but I want to use my meditative time for more
active thinking.
I have gotten back into it more recently, though. Most of my meditative time
is spent repeating positive affirmations. I have three that I have used for years.
More recently I have added the Serenity Prayer as a fourth. Saying each of
these 50 times or so can take up a good 10 minutes.
Then I try to visualize things. I try to visualize goals achieved, mainly.
There are countless other ways one could spend meditative time, though.
I'll have to try and get the full text for today's C2C so I can see what ideas
they have.
