As Intended. #mindfulness #meditation

 TURN! TURN! TURN! (Lyrics) - THE BYRDS

During the lockdown of 2020, I started taking yoga seriously, as well as other aspects of my health.  All aspects of health are important in the overall wellbeing, like spokes in a wheel, if one area is out of whack the others suffer.  I wasn't sure what to expect with yoga just that I had been told it had a lot of health benefits holistically and that it felt really good within my body.   I also downloaded "Serenity", a monthly meditation app aimed at helping others learn the art of mindful meditation.  Admittedly, I'm not as faithful with the Serenity app as I am with the yoga, after all, we can only do so much during a day.  Yet, the effects of the yoga have been surprisingly pleasant on my outlook on the daily grievances, highs and lows of life occurrences.  Now, I don't mean for this to be a commercial for Yoga or Meditation, rather, the effects that I have discovered therein.  In addition, Fundie, if you do Yoga, demons will not overtake you, leaving you walking away strangely spouting off Hindu and wanting to color strange symbols.  

We all face those daily annoyances, or weekly, monthly, whatever they will be.  Recently, my partner and I faced a myriad of such, like the 'Summer of Car' where not one but the majority of our vehicles ended up with some kind of maintenance or the kitchen sink being backed up for a week, the electricity bill climbing high, the well spraying water profusely but not where it is needed.  In each of these scenarios, there is a choice.  To bitch or not to bitch.  Now, feeling upset, frustrated, angry over an annoyance is natural, I am not degrading any for feeling such.  I have experienced and revealed my fair share of angry outbursts over frustrations in life.  No judgment here, friend.  But, rather, what I have discovered whilst doing Yoga is I find in myself the ability to recognize, this is what it is for now, not forever, it, too, shall pass.  

Therein, the lessons in these grievances may not be something altogether grand, maybe just maybe its in the simplicity of mindful acceptance.

Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Be Present

Enlightenment Achieved: Bodhi Day #bodhiday #buddhism

 

What is Bodhi Day?

Siddhārtha Gautama, a rich prince living in Nepal, lived a life of emmense luxury and knew nothing of the sufferings of the outside world.  Upon leaving the palace one day, he was suddenly struck with the immensity of sufferings and tribulations of others.  This revelation shocked him into seeing the emptiness of his life of leisure and sent him on a quest to understand truly the purpose of life, seeking enlightenment.  For six years, he studied with six different teachers hoping they could help him, putting himself in the most desperate of situations he could, but despite his efforts, he came up lacking.  

There are two days on which Bodhi Day is celebrated, one considered secular and the other the actual day.  The reason for this is that the place where the Bodhi Tree was located, where Siddhartha found enlightenment, is in Bodhgaya, India, which follows the Lunar calendar.  Thus, the days are celebrated differently from each other whether it be the Solar or Lunar Calendar.  The Solar calendar date is always the 8th day of the 12 month, that being, December 8th, and that is considered for the devout, the secular version of the holiday. 

Exhausted and in despair, he collapsed in agony under a tree, today known as the Bodhi Tree, and there he determined to sit until he would achieve enlightenment.  The Holy texts differ in the length of time he sat, either 7 to 49 days, in meditation not peaceful but full of anguish and tumult.  Then, on the 8th day of the 12th day, he awoke from his feverish focus with the Venus, the Morning star in his focus.  And, with that light, came upon his light, enlightenment achieved.  

Four Noble Truths

 All of the baggage and tricks in his mind dissolved into silence and peace, he truly saw and understood for the first time what would be the basis of the Four Noble Truths, leading him to become The Buddha.

As he sat there in this new discovery, a girl from the village came by, offering him a meal of rice and milk, which sustained him as he began his 40 days of teaching.  

In any religious or spiritual practice, or even having none, finding stillness within is important for all.  In this fast paced world full of its daily tumult, this importance is even more paramount.  My deepist wish is that time is taken from the busyness to ponder the significance of Bodhi Day for oneself personally.  My belief is that this holiday fits well with the other holidays of this month in preparation for each celebration and the beginning of the New Year.

Bodhi Day

Articles used as reference:

Bodhi Day 2022: Date, History and Significance

When is Bodhi Day 2018?

https://bodhiday.org/

New Years' Eve Resolutions, or something like that

Now, I know what you are thinking, who makes resolutions these days, I mean, who really keeps them?  So, that's why I added "or something like that".  It seems like all of us, without consciously thinking about it, tend to rethink our lives around the New Year; pause for self analysis.  And, usually we know from childhood, when we actually made resolutions, that they are usually broken, because sometimes they are a little far fetched, or sometimes a little out of the blue, something maybe we haven't already been praying about, meditating on, or pondering over and preparing ourselves for over the past months.  And, as you may know, I have been going through a bit of hard spot these past few months, but with diligence and faithfulness and prayer, I have walked myself through it and given much thought to what I need to be healthy.  Here are a few:

1.) Put my health first, ie all forms, physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, they all connect in some way.  Be more mindful of my health and wellness, and hope against hope that the fragments of my biology, mind, and heart can be mended into a whole, but with patience, peace, and rest in waiting on God; after all, God is not through with me yet.

2.)  Get off meds, ie psychotropics (mostly for the healthy babies I want to have), and this might take a couple to a few years, but its a worthy goal, and its one that will take a lot of learning about diet (what goes into the body), the right supplements, diligence to pursue exercise in some way daily, pray, meditate, read the bible every day or more (just, in general, pray more/meditate more, basically retrain your brain to be more mindful and focused.)  Make getting healthy your main career.  Chart your moods, sleep schedules, diet, exercise.

3.) Be more mindful, in general, of how you behave around others, the words that come out of your mouth; pray that your speech and conduct is seasoned with the holy spirit, a spirit of gentleness. 

4.) Be on time, more mindful of your time.  Organize your time so you can wake up for work with plenty of time for devotionals, exercise, meditation.  Get your sleep cycle under control, with or without the lorezapan. 

5.) Be more conscious of your appearance, take better care of your hygiene, ie at night, have a bedtime ritual that includes brushing your teeth, washing your face, and also read some kind of spiritual book or pray or meditate to calm your mind.  Try to get your hair trimmed and face waxed once a month.  Get to bed at a reasonable time for what your needs are the next day.  Eat healthily and regularly, no matter how the meds make you feel or if its that time of the month, etc.

6.) Write every day, do more artistic activities, join a writing group, if possible, and read more.  Now, the reading one will be the easiest because no one ever has to tell me to read, all my life I've read multiple books at a time, been a bookworm with my nose almost firmly planted in the pages, devouring the words.  But, the writing, well, I must not beat myself up too much if I don't get to it for awhile, but just do my best to accomplish what I can.

Now, that's all I really want to commit to, or just ponder committing, lastly, of course, pray with and for my husband, ask questions and be more attentive to his viewpoints, his work schedule, try not to sound too pushy or controlling or codependent; just be attentive to his needs, as well as mine, and do what I can to make him happy, healthy, and well.