Day 22 - bonus

What a nice surprise to wake up to – Oprah and Deepak decided to offer a bonus day of the challenge. Today was a special guided meditation where our collective community (the challengers from the past 21 days) did a final meditation to help bring the gift of health to the global community –activating a ripple effect of support and love for those in need.  

Over the past three weeks as a meditating community, we learned to expand our wisdom, peace, love, joy and well-being. Sadly there are so many individuals in the world who lack access to fresh food, clean water and safe shelter so their journey to perfect health is much more challenging. Through today`s meditation we sent our purest intentions for perfect health to all people around the globe - I hope they felt the warmth of our collective consciousness.

Centering Thought:

All is perfect. All is well.

Sanskrit mantra:

Om Bhavam Namah. - I am absolute existence. I am a field of all possibilities.

Mindful Moment:

Envision a world in which everyone enjoys a lifetime of health, joy, and vitality. We are indeed divine beings—united as brothers and sisters around the world—and perfect health is truly our birthright. As you enter into stillness, set the intention that everyone around the world receives the wonderful gift of perfect health.

Interesting links:

A world of wellness 

11 quotes to help you make the most of every moment

 

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”  Mother Teresa

Day 21

Day 21 already! This challenge sure has been an incredible mind-body experience. I learned so much – I really looked forward to each day, it was such a treat. I will definitely keep it up on my own as well as continue the guided meditation classes at Moksha studio. These past few weeks gave me the tools to achieve “perfect health”; learning how to make conscious choices, developing the techniques to finding balance and how to live agelessly - achieving greater peace, joy and vitality.

Today's meditation focussed on Gratitude, an important part of living perfect health. When we are grateful for everything we have in our lives, the ego steps out of the way and we are completely open to the dynamic exchange of the universe. If you are not doing so already, begin keeping a gratitude journal and take note of everything you are grateful for each day. Take stock of how these perfect health concepts manifest in your life. Ask yourself how making conscious choices have made a difference. Thank yourself for all the changes you have made, large and small, and appreciate how they benefit you. We thrive in collaboration with others, so share your knowledge, reach out to help others on their journeys and ask for support on yours. From here on out, as you meditate each day, remember you are part of the collective consciousness a bubbling wave in a vast and beautiful ocean. Acknowledge and celebrate your sacred connections and embrace your daily journey to perfect health.

Centering Thought:

I create my perfect health.

Sanskrit mantra:

Sat Chit Ananda. - Existence, Consciousness, Bliss.

Mindful Moment:

Today is the final day of the 21-Day Meditation Challenge, and we now have all the tools to live perfect health. Sustain the habit of writing in your gratitude journal and continue journaling all the things for which you’re thankful every day. Take time each week to review what you've written to truly appreciate the gifts your life offers you.

Interesting links:

Keep your meditation practice thriving 

Deepak Chopra: how to recognize life’s abundance

“We must each lead a way of life with self-awareness and compassion, to do as much as we can. Then, whatever happens we will have no regrets.”   Dalai Lama 

Day 20

Today's meditation explored the concept of living agelessly. It is funny how once we reach a certain age we almost stop celebrating our birthdays, and dread the thoughts of growing older. A few years ago I did Dr. Oz’s Real Age Test, where it asks you 100 questions about your lifestyle, habits, genetic history, etc and calculates your real age in comparison to your calendar age. Depending on your answers you could be much younger than your calendar age or much older. At the end it gives you a listing of how you can improve your real age and you can go back in a few months and add in the positive changes you have made and it will then recalculate your real age. After doing today’s meditation I am definitely going to go back and try it again. I feel good physically, mentally and spiritually so to me aging is just a number, not a definition of who I am.

If you are truly engaged in present moment awareness, age is nothing but a construct. How can we age if in pure consciousness there is no time? Yet we mark years on a calendar, or watch with worry as our bodies begin to change. By focussing on these external milestones, we are missing the true point of our lives - that we are alive to love and be loved, live our highest calling and to seek enlightenment. Still we live in a world that constantly bombards us with images of youth and beauty and the outer trappings of seemingly good health. In fact over time, many of us begin to associate good health with youth and start to believe that once we reach a particular age good health becomes illusive – completely out of our reach. How can we change our minds so that we are impervious to the illusions of external messaging and false beliefs? 

Meditation connects us to the true reality of who we really are, making this a habit is an important way to live; free from any calendar or clock. We can also change the way we talk to ourselves and alter the feedback loops originating in the brain, so that positive messages resonate with the intelligent cells of our bodies. Equally important is to engage in activities that ignite our passion - our fire for life. Pursue your interests with abandon; spend time with good friends and people you really love. Give generously of yourself to people in need, and causes that excite you. Celebrate every moment in your life by living with limitless joy. When we do all these things time stands still; in this unbounded state of awareness time and age are no longer our concern, and we find ourselves without effort living agelessly. Don’t deny one single moment of your life and existence. Celebrate every moment with vibrancy and vigour.

Centering Thought:

I am ageless and timeless.

Sanskrit mantra:

Aham Brahmasmi. - The core of my being is the ultimate reality, the root and ground of the universe, the source of all that exists.

Mindful Moment:

Consider an activity that really excites you. Make the commitment to engage in that activity for some time every day. Witness how time stands still when you indulge your passion and you become firmly rooted in the present.

Interesting links:

Meditate for 3 months – download the Life Wisdom Trilogy 

How to change your life at any age

 

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been." —Mark Twain 

Day 19

I could really relate to today’s meditation, the theme was living optimism. I am a hopeful optimist and live each day that way, I always have. I try to see the positive in every situation, even when I really have to dig deep to find it. I love people and instantly would give the shirt off my back to a stranger; that is just my nature to trust and see the good in people, until I have been given a reason to see things differently. I am sure that bothers some idealists, realists and pessimists and some see it as naivety, but I have a good head on my shoulders and I don’t let my kindness or outlook on life be taken advantage of.

I do see the world as it is, but I know I can only control my own actions and feelings and how I choose to live each moment. I have a hopeful attitude and even if things seem unattainable I try so hard that the journey is often times worth it even if I don't reach the goal. I don’t let the actions of others affect the way I live my life and being an optimist truly makes for a happier more grateful day. I can sit and drown in a bad day, but why not try and learn something from it and work to make that day a bit brighter instead of choosing to see it as a write-off.

I think that is why I handle stress really well, some people take the negative things that happen during their day and take on the world’s problems on their back and just can’t seem to see past it. I can’t say certain circumstances don't affect me as well but I try to see past it and work hard to live a positive life and helping others around me do the same. We can’t control the actions of others but if every one of us did our part to make someone’s day just a little bit brighter, just imagine how great our world could be.

Today Oprah talks about having a gratitude journal - I have had one for a few years now. It has really helped me become the person I am today. I did a little blog on this in February: 28 days of gratitude.

What we think, do and say influences our bodies. With each action the brain sends messages to all the cells of our bodies creating critical feedback loops that carry information for wellness or disease. Living through a lens of optimism we can bring our lives into balance and maintain optimal health.  When we operate from a positive perspective we are motivated to live the life we envision and confidently take steps to make that happen. Being grateful for who we are and what we have right now allows us to take stock of all the goodness in our lives. We understand we are always learning lessons; therefore we forgive ourselves and others because this moment is just a blink on our evolutionary path. Living optimism invites us to reach higher and become the fullest expression of our intentions. 

Making healthy choices may affect the production of the enzyme telomerase, which in turn builds telomeres, the end points of each chromosome. The fraying of telomeres is associated with aging and keeping telomeres intact is associated with the health and youthfulness of our genes.

It is important that we engage in a positive inner dialogue that supports the vision that we hold for our lives and we act in alignment with those messages. In this way we can establish a nourishing lifestyle that enables us to remain healthy, vibrant and strong for the rest of our lives.

Centering Thought:

My life unfolds in divine order.

Sanskrit mantra:

Om Daksham Namah. - My actions achieve maximal benefit with minimal effort.

Mindful Moment:

We become what we believe and, as we've learned, remaining positive sends our bodies loving messages that are crucial to maintaining good health. By being grateful for all that we have, we can move our egos aside and live the lives we were meant to live, full of enthusiasm for the present moment and confident about our futures.  By fostering an inner dialogue that is most nurturing to us, we support the clear vision we have for ourselves and live our lives in alignment with our true purpose.

If you are not doing so already, begin to keep a gratitude journal. Each morning or evening, take stock of your life and write down those things for which you are truly thankful.

Interesting links: 

Manifest your dreams

3 smart new ways to kick pessimism to the curb

 

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

—Anne Frank

Day 18

I am attempting to try all the David's tea flavours on their new spring menu (142 and I am at 77). I have been wanting to try "three wishes" for a while but thought I would save it; I decided today was the day I needed it most. Now I know that this tea is not magical but the name of it alone gave me hope so I dedicated all three wishes to my Dad. I savoured every drop and thought of him having a miraculous recovery. I instantly felt a sense of peace hoping my positive thoughts had reached him all the way in Florida.

Tonight my Mom called me to tell me they released him from the hospital…which seems unheard of from the large stroke he had just yesterday. To me this felt like a miracle, I know he has to get his memory and speech aligned but it must be a good sign if he is allowed to go home. I have a hopeful feeling that he is going to work extra hard and have a full recovery. Faith is a very strong virtue, I need to have trust that things will work out the way they are supposed to. My friend sent me a note this morning and it really brightened my day:

“Some of the most beautiful things in this world are transitory. They are beautiful, because they cannot be there forever, and therefore we cherish them so much more.”

Today’s meditation was focussed on passion as energy. It's the power that comes from focusing on what really excites us. When we live with enthusiasm, we fully engage our brains and bodies in our activities, building new pathways that foster health and well-being.

Everyone has a special purpose in life, which in Sanskrit is called Dharma. And we each possess a unique talent with a unique way of expressing it. For every unique talent an expression of that gift, there are also unique needs just waiting for us to fulfill them. When we offer our dharma and service to others we experience the ecstasy and exaltation of our spirit by asking ourselves how can I help, how can I serve using my unique talents - we are able to move beyond the ego and into the realm of true spirit. That part of our awareness in which we experience a connection with the whole universe. Connecting with our Dharma makes our heart sing and time fly. We live our lives with passion and great enthusiasm. A life lived with passion brings with it many benefits. A brain that builds new pathways toward better habits, a mind that remains sharp and active and relationships that are rich and deeply rewarding. When we are passionate about something, we have a positive attitude and embrace each day with a new outlook. Finding our Dharma and taking a passionate interest enables the whole mind body system to be dynamic and rejuvenated. This level of self-awareness allows us to be spontaneous and free, open to surprise and more in-step with the rhythm of the cosmos.

Centering Thought:

I live my life with passion and enthusiasm.

Sanskrit mantra:

Om Varunam Namah. - My life is in harmony with cosmic law.

Mindful Moment

Passion is energy. It’s the power that comes from focusing on what really excites you. When we live with enthusiasm, we fully engage our brains and bodies in our activities, building new pathways that foster health and wellbeing. Begin to connect with your true life’s purpose. Before each meditation, ask yourself, “How can I help? How can I serve?” Then, listen to your heart for the answer.

Interesting links:

Live your passion – find your dharma 

What to do if you can’t find your passion

"Freedom lies in being bold." —Robert Frost

Day 17

Hard to believe it is day 17, only a few days left of this challenge. Today was more challenging than others have been - trying to live this “journey to perfect health”. I received a call at noon that my step-dad suffered a stroke, and he doesn't even know my name anymore. My heart has been hurting since I heard the news, knowing I am helpless here in PEI and can’t be with him or my Mom as they are in Florida. The hardest part to accept is that my Dad is the "poster child" of what perfect health means to me. He eats very healthy (he was the one who got me hooked on protein shakes years ago), he plays golf and runs 15k a day. He also exercises his mind and has always been able to pinpoint dates from the past that no one could seem to remember in conversations. He is always learning and keeping up with current events, technology etc. He has been retired for a few years now and spends his winters in Florida, living a low-stress lifestyle.  So if you can imagine, I am really blown away right about now…things just don’t make sense to me.  Just another reminder of how precious every moment really is, and we need to not take even one of those moments for granted – we never know when life as we know it can turn upside down. I know my Dad is very strong and he will work hard to heal and recover from this.

Today’s meditation theme was “Living Creativity”. Although I didn't feel like doing my meditation tonight I am really glad I did. It focussed on the moments that offer the real joy in our lives, and the richness and abundance of taking the time to have fun - time when you do nothing but relax, enjoy a good book or listen to great music. Think back to when you were a child, exploring your neighbourhood - every bug, plant, rock - all of it was new. Each activity brought with it a flood of activities and creativity. Experiences like these offer glimpses of the soul. They are rooted firmly in the present - impervious to time. As adults such experiences continue to be important. Enjoying activities that have no external goals or milestones to reach enables us to dig deep into our own reservoirs of creativity and connect more deeply with ourselves and others. It is through play and experimentation that some of our best ideas rise to the surface spontaneously. We make a bold discovery, have the “aha” moment instantly, visualizing the solution or reconnect with our dharma – our true purpose in life.  

Try to remain open to being your most creative self, release your fears, and follow your intuition. Acknowledge the synchronicities that nudge you towards a new path. Entertain diverse perspectives, and let go of rigid fixed beliefs. Allow the past to die so that you can live in this moment today. Just as your body is changing in every moment, give yourself permission to choose a different way. Each new perspective, experience and insight fosters new brain patterns to support our desires and goals. And such wondrous transformations can only happen when we allow ourselves the time and freedom to create and recreate every day.

Centering Thought:

Through rest and play, I open my creative channel.

Sanskrit mantra:

Om Anandham Namah. - My actions are blissfully free from attachment to outcome.

Mindful Moment:

Enjoy opportunities to explore without outside opinions or artificial boundaries. Do those things that make time disappear and witness the boundless joy that flows to you. Set aside time today to be totally free to express yourself. Find a quiet space, gather the tools you need, and just enjoy what happens. Notice how you feel after you’ve spent some time doing what you love.

Interesting links:

Perfect Health download 

How to unleash your creativity

You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Plato

Day 16

Today’s meditation was focussed on “living nature”. Ever since I did my 365 Challenge I always look at my environment with fresh eyes, taking time to stop and “smell the roses” and really embracing my surroundings. I love exploring nature, especially the beach - I go as often as I can, all year round. The beach is my sanctuary, the place I go and get lost in my thoughts, it is sensory overload. The sound of the crashing waves, the smell of salt in the air, the view for miles of sand dunes and the beautiful ocean. In terms of living nature - I am beyond lucky to live on an Island where I am surrounded by nature.

Throughout our journey with Deepak we now understand that our current state of health is an impermanent snapshot – a picture we can change and improve at any time through conscious choice making and meditation. Meditation connects us to who we really are – pure consciousness and unbounded potential.  Our unlimited potential is the field of pure potentiality; the very same field nature uses to create our planets countless wonders. Anything is possible in this unified field through spirit because it is the source of all power, intelligence and infinite organizing ability. To truly experience pure potentiality, it is important that we spend time in nature. By observing nature, we can witness the orchestration of its vibrant elements, the astounding forces of life and the unity of all things.

Centering Thought:

I am an exquisite expression of nature.

Sanskrit mantra:

Om Bhavam Namah. - I am absolute existence. I am a field of all possibilities.

Mindful Moment:

Commit to spending some time in nature today. Whether you choose to be active or simply gaze at the stars in the night sky, express your heartfelt gratitude for all that nature offers you and for your place in this beautiful cosmic dance.

Interesting Links:

Choose Love – move from constriction to an open heart

Nature’s Touch: five ways to boost your health by going outside

 

"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars." —Walt Whitman