As I sit down to reflect on the past 7 weeks, I find myself immersed in a profound sense of transformation. The decision to embark on a 10-week meditation challenge was not made lightly but rather stemmed from a deep-rooted desire to cultivate resilience and discipline in preparation for our upcoming 10-day Silent Meditation Retreat.
Before this challenge, my meditation practice was sporadic, with sessions rarely extending beyond 30 minutes and often guided. The realization that I had gradually veered away from the disciplined practice left me feeling more reactive and burdened by lingering emotions and unprocessed experiences. I knew that for me too deeply drop into the upcoming retreat, I needed to recommit to my meditation practice and realign with the stillness within.
The structure of the challenge required dedicating 2 hours to silent practice every Saturday for 10 consecutive weeks. This commitment may seem daunting to some, but I felt a deep sense of determination to reclaim my inner tranquility and focus from distractions that did not deserve my attention.
During the meditation sessions, I centered my focus on the gap between my breath and my spiritual heart, as per the Hridaya lineage. The first week introduced 20 minutes of silent meditation followed by 1 hour and 40 minutes of "karma yoga," where I spent time in nature and dedicated myself to a chore, embracing the meditative flow.
As the challenge progressed, the longer meditation sessions brought to the surface a surge of obsessive thoughts and anxieties. This turbulence prompted me to create a sacred space, invoking the guardians of my sensory gates, the directional guardians, and the guardians of the land. The unexpected reconnection with spirit infused me with a newfound inspiration to explore animism and embrace the role of a guardian, a journey I am eager to share in the upcoming blog posts.
Reaching the threshold of meditating for 1 hour and 10 minutes marked a significant shift within me. Subsequent extended sessions evoked a sense of timelessness, allowing me to transcend the constraints of fleeting moments and immerse myself in a state of pure presence.
As I write this, we are finishing our seventh week of the challenge, Starting the 8th week on Saturday with two weeks remaining. I have learned to balance unwavering commitment with gentle flexibility, allowing my meditation practice to seamlessly meld into the rhythm of my day. Embracing this fluidity has granted me the gift of peaceful, undisturbed sleep, transforming each night into a rejuvenating experience.
To wrap this up, this 10-week meditation challenge has illuminated the profound impact of granting myself the time to process and integrate the multitude experiences, information, and stimuli that populate my life. The gentle calmness has become a welcomed companion, nurturing and supporting my nervous system, ultimately enhancing my capacity to embrace life as it is. By immersing myself in this practice, I have become acutely aware of the subtle miracles and endless opportunities that unfurl before me when I remain attuned and present.
If you, too, feel called to embark on this transformative journey, I extend a heartfelt invitation to join us this Saturday or the following weeks to come and explore the boundless depths of inner stillness and self-discovery. Perhaps a deeper reset is calling you and if so we would love to have you attend our
Mucho Amor,
Amanda Luna
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