Most recently I have taken up the practice of meditation in the very early morning hours. I meditate for several minutes between the hours of 2am and 4am. I know that some might find this practice extremely unusual, even I resisted getting out of bed so soon after I had gotten in! However, once I gave in to the idea myself, I find it is a practice that I can become quite comfortable with. The world is actually very quiet at that time of the day, or night, however you might see it. It is through this practice that I had the chance to learn a great lesson, which I will relate you in the actual manner that it occurred in my life... as an unfolding story...
In recent months I have acquired a new best friend named Sadie, she is a 5 month old black labrador retriever.
I am not a dog person, but I do love animals and when she arrived at our home she was a mere 6 weeks old... and who could resist such an adorable little bundle of fluff?! Certainly not I! Over the months that she has been with us she has delivered many great lessons, and I am quite certain that these lessons are not at an end even now. It was earlier this week, when I was awakened for my early morning meditation that I was honored to receive a particularly wondrous lesson.
When I get up I tend to all of our animals and then I take the opportunity to take Sadie out for a walk. Remembering that this is her first year of existence, and that all is a wonder to her when the seasons turned and the snow came I tried to enjoy her exuberance... but after 20 minutes of trotting her up and down the drive at 3am in the sub zero temperature, my patience came to an abrupt end, my frustration began to spring from every pore of my body and I jerked on her collar, spoke sharply to her, and marched her back indoors.
After all, I was anxious to get to my meditations.
As I sat down, almost before I closed my eyes, I was given the word PATIENCE... followed by the word PERSPECTIVE... followed by an instantaneous knowing of just how I could apply a simple yet profound concept to cultivate a more peaceful nature.
I fairly cringed knowing that I had been "seen" in the act of losing patience with Sadie. I thought about what had just occurred as Sadie must have seen things. First of all, dogs don't know a thing about "deadlines", they don't understand "bills", "the holidays", "work", or any of the kinds of "stress" that we create in our human existence in order to feel productive and worthy. Dogs in fact, understand a much simpler view of reality... eat, sleep, and play... oh yes, and above all else...LOVE! From this new perspective... Sadie had been awakened by one of the humans whom she loves most in the world, and is taken outside into a wonderland of snow flakes and star light... she knows that the person had been too busy all day to play with her very much, so of course she would assume that now the person was coming to play with her and enjoy this wonderful, crisp, mountain morning!
Humbled, and thankful I retreated back to the warmth of my bed to mull over the whole experience... the potential reach of this very simple concept is astounding! I am aware that this is not "new thought"... and also that the situation in which I learned this concept, was a simplistic model. Still if we choose we could all apply this concept several times a day... and I am quite certain that, given our willingness to see things from another perspective we could avert much of the frustration, anger, and stress that takes such a toll on our physical bodies every day.
Next time you feel frustration sneaking up behind you, ready to take a big bite out of your "animal nature", try looking at the situation through your opponents eyes, it only takes a few seconds to understand more fully the nature of the disruption and perhaps find a more harmonious solution for everyone... it is not about conceding your point of view, or becoming a pushover... it is about strength of character, inner peace, personal power and focus. I think that you will find yourself feeling much more relaxed and peaceful, I challenge each of you to try it for just one week.
If you accept the challenge, I invite you to e-mail me with your thoughts, but can not promise a personal reply to each one, as there are hundreds of you out there. I also invite you to pass this message along to your friends if you feel that it would be useful. With this I leave you until next time, Namaste'.
A brilliant thought which bears repeating... by Du Bois:
"The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are, for what we could become!"
At Heaven on Earth we are dedicated to helping you create a radiant and healthful lifestyle. I wish you good health today and always!
Be ever mindful,
Deni
List of Articles (newest first)
The Critical Question
Perspective Cultivates Patience
Breatharianism
The Choice to Live
World Peace
