meditation – Page 4

Exercises in willpower & futility

While doing the first 40-Day Meditation Challenge of 2012 at Bound Lotus Meditation & Yoga Centre, I’ve also committed to 40 days without alcohol. I’ve temporarily given up liquor not so much to cleanse, but as an exercise in willpower and to allow the meditation to have as much impact as possible.

It’s a good thing I’m not hoping to detox my liver for the rest of the year by taking 40 days off from alcohol as British Liver Trust and other health professionals state that “detoxing for just a month in January is medically futile.” The Globe & Mail’s article on The right way to detox your liver recommends staying away from alcohol for two or three days straight every week to allow your liver to recover.

So after the 40-Day Meditation Challenge is done on February 11, my more important challenge will be exercising my willpower and taking a couple of days in a row off from my nightly glass of wine…

And maybe committing to the next 40-Day Meditation Challenge when it starts on February 20!

Yin class Jan. 2 & Meditation Challenge

I’ll be teaching a yin yoga class at Bound Lotus (161 East 1st Street in North Van) on Monday, January 2 from 1:00pm to 2:15pm.

Come join me for a relaxing an invigorating class to start-off 2012! Yin yoga is a wonderful way to centre your mind and access the connective tissue in your body for a really deep stretch.

I’m also starting a 40-Day Meditation Challenge at Bound Lotus on Tuesday, January 3 – that’s 40 straight days of doing the same 11 minute meditation. Meditating in a group is a powerful experience and Bound Lotus makes it easy by offering three times a day on weekdays (7:30am, 8:00am, and 5:30pm) and two sessions a day on weekends (8:00am on Saturdays, 9:00am on Sundays, and 5:00pm both days) to come together to meditate.

Learn more about the 40-Day Meditation Challenge on the Bound Lotus website.

Initial list of meditation music

A selection of music I like for meditation; see the Meditate page for the full list. Click on the iTunes button to purchase a specific song.

Aad Guray by Deva Premal
For protection and clarity. Some people chant this mantra before driving or in other situations where they need protective energy. This version makes me feel as though I’m standing in a glorious cathedral and immediately calms me.
Adi Shakti Namo: Your Primal Power by SatKirin Kaur Khalsa
Upbeat and energizing. Also know as the First Shakti Mantra, it helps remove fears and focus on what really needs to be done.
Gobinday Mukunday by Snatam Kaur
To help move through difficult situations. I affectionately think of it as the “Git ‘er done” mantra, although it’s much more peaceful than that label implies.
Ong So Hung by Guru Singh
Great before bed meditation. I find it completely relaxes me and sometimes even puts me to sleep… it’s my secret weapon for conquering jet lag.
Ra Ma Da Sa by Snatam Kaur
Wonderful restorative kundalini mantra. When someone I love needs some healing, I’ll chant this mantra and send my energy to them… at least it makes me feel like I’m doing something!