Be “hear” now meditation

Many scientific studies now link stress to disease, but how do we manage it in this world of multi-tasking?

by Khayriyyah Savannah — 

The clock is ticking loudly on the wall as a bird’s persistent song, car doors slamming and voices of children at the bus stop take turns competing for your attention. You hear a light tapping on the glass door and, as you focus on its rhythm, you hear the buzzing of an insect. The heater kicks on, and the sound warms you even before you feel the heat. These sounds become your “on-location meditation.”

Many scientific studies now link stress to disease, but how do we manage it in this world of multi-tasking? Recognizing the early signs of stress, such as shallow breathing, muscle tension (especially in the abdomen and shoulders), eyestrain and headaches, is the first step. These are signs of resistance; the body needs a rest.

Meditation practices, such as the one described below, are designed to relax and restore balance to the body and mind by acknowledging present-time awareness. This is why most meditation and relaxation exercises begin with focused breathing. Awareness dissolves resistance.

So take a few minutes to revitalize your awareness and “be hear now” with this “on-location meditation”:

Sit or lie in a comfortable position, take a few slow breaths and just listen. Allow your thoughts to rest with each sound that enters your awareness. As you do this you will begin to feel the warm flow of healing energy relaxing your entire body and mind.

This simple practice can be done anytime you feel stressed and in need of a break. Why break when you can flow?

Khayriyyah Savannah, L.M.T., Reiki master, herbalist, is a graduate of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (S.W.I.H.A.) who specializes in energy healing for women. www.revitenergy.com, 602-301-1825 or ksavannah@cox.net.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 27, Number 2, April/May 2008.