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.
Good morning MIP. Today's reading in Courage to Change is all about meditation! It suggests that our program, Al-Anon, leaves the question - What is Meditation - leaves the question open intentionally. We each get to answer the question, and practice meditation by finding our own path. Like all things in recovery, others offer ESH (Experience, Strength & Hope) as suggestions, and we get to consider tools suggested to find our pathway to serenity/sanity.
A few suggestions from the reading:
Meditation is a higher spiritual awareness. I practice remembering that every action can serve a spiritual purpose.
I go to a quiet place, close my eyes and repeat the words of the Serenity Prayer.
I need to get beyond my thoughts, so concentrate on my breather, counting over and over as I breathe in/out.
I step back and watch my thoughts as if I were watching a play. I focus on today, leaving the past and future alone.
I focus on a flower. When thoughts stray, I accept my mind is just doing its job - thinking - and then I gently return to the subject.
I picture my HP's hands. One by one, I place my problems and worries, my joy and gratitude, into those hands and then also climb in.
Lovely suggestions from other Al-Anon members! For me, I thank my HP for the gift of life each morning before putting my feet to the floor. This just helps me remember that I am a person in recovery, practicing a spiritual existence, which trusts and relies on a power greater than I.
As I go about my day, I practice several different ways of meditating. I tend to pray and focus on my breathing while I do my daily run. This gives me an hour of just God/I time. If my mind strays, I will put on ear buds with spiritual music. I also have an App. on my phone that I use during the day if I need to slow my mind and come back to center. Finally, as I prepare to get horizontal again, I return to prayer and meditation, reflecting on my day and what has transpired.
Anytime I am struggling to sleep, I repeat the Serenity Prayer over and over again until I doze off. I am not one who can sit still, and just be quiet for meditation, which bothered me a long while....no more as I have learned that our recovery journey is personal as is our spiritual life/growth.
Happy Tuesday MIP. I am off to golf in a while - going to be cold but I need a break! Enjoy your day and make it a great one!
__________________
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
Thanks IAH for your service and great share. My mediation time is interestingly somewhat similar to yours. In the morning I pray and speak directly to God. I thank Him, ask for the help I need, and ask for His blessings for friends and family. When Im out with my dogs I do a chant I made up that is God-centered. As I see nature outside and watch the funny things my dogs do I am in touch with HP big time. And when I have some quiet moments, I do some cleansing breaths, and then focus on affirmations I have or still need to accomplish. I was taught the basics of Transcendental meditation years ago, and I have adjusted it to what I need. All in all, these practices help me through my day along with all my program tools and people. Its a lot of work, but I now think Im worth it! Lyne
Iam and and Lyne... I have a minor breakthrough with Step 11 this week. Scrolling backwards I used to just fall asleep. Because I was exhausted- but did not really realise it. Had to deal with this one first. But, yeah...keeping things very simple got me there- in the end... ...
Iam and and Lyne... I have a minor breakthrough with Step 11 this week. Scrolling backwards I used to just fall asleep. Because I was exhausted- but did not really realise it. Had to deal with this one first. But, yeah...keeping things very simple got me there- in the end...