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Meditation has existed for centuries, appearing in different forms and spanning all cultures and traditions.  There is no one way to go about meditating, nor do you have to be a spiritual guru to reap the benefits of this practice.  With some discipline, one can achieve relaxation, mental clarity, inner peace, and expanded awareness.

We can all benefit from a break in our day-to-day activities, worries, and stresses.  Incorporating meditation into your life can help you gain insight into problems you are experiencing or changes you should make to improve your life.  When you tap into your connection to higher consciousness, you are moving closer to Self-awareness and Self-realization.

To begin, commit to a regular practice of meditating at least once a day.  Choose a time you can schedule into your day, such as early morning or evening, and practice at the same time each day, if possible.  You will want to find or create a space where you will not be disturbed, a place that is quiet, comfortable and peaceful.  It may help to create an altar, or have a candle or incense burning near you.  Have either a chair or place on the floor to sit upright, but be sure you are comfortable.

Close your eyes and begin breathing naturally.  You may choose to gently roll your eyes upward, as if looking into the "third-eye" space between your eyebrows, which deepens your connection to Spirit.  Allow your heart center to open and be grateful for this life you are living.  Allow everything around you to disappear, to fade into the background, and continue to focus on your breath.

There are a number of different ways to deepen your meditation at this point.  You may choose to continue focusing on the in-breath and the out-breath.  As thoughts come into your awareness, simply let them pass through like clouds moving across the sky.  Withhold judgments.  Simply allow the process to occur and bring your attention back to your breath.

You may find that you'd like to create a Mantra, a word or short phrase to repeat.  A Mantra should be simple, such as "Om" or "Love."  Focus on the Mantra with each breath, while remaining alert and aware.  If you find yourself drifting, become mindful of your practice by once more focusing in on your breath and your Mantra.

If you are new to meditation, your practice may begin as 5 to 15 minutes a day.  As you become more comfortable with the stillness, you will gradually add time to your practice.  A good goal is 30 minutes to an hour once a day, or 30 minutes twice a day.  However, the ultimate goal is about your experience and your feelings.  Don't try to force results, simply allow the process to unfold naturally like a flower.  If you miss a day, become aware of how you feel physically and mentally, but do not beat yourself up or think you have failed.  Be patient with yourself.  

This is a journey, a process of spiritual growth and personal awareness.  You can practice other meditation techniques until you find the one that fits for you, or change them up occasionally.  Meditation can be used for the simple relaxation benefits, or for greater spiritual growth and a deeper connection to all that exists.  Use the techniques as you see fit, as they apply to your life and your goals, and you will begin to notice the profound effect meditation has on your physical body, your mind, your relationship to other people, and your innermost emotions.  Embrace your experience!

Inspired by the legend of the Cherokee Rose, The Trail of Tears Photography Project is to document the lives and stories of victims and those affected by domestic violence. All photographers are welcome to submit photographs, please enter a description, title of the photograph you have submitted.

 

All fundraising proceeds will go to various non-profit organization(s) to establish and support programs that assist victims and survivors of abuse.

 

We are also looking for creative ideas for flyers that raise awareness about the various aspects of domestic violence. Please feel free to come join us. Ideally these images will be used by various communities once we have a large enough collection.

 

Legend of the Cherokee Rose

 

When the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were grieving and crying so much, they were unable to help their children survive the journey. The elders prayed for a sign that would lift the mother’s spirits to give them strength. The next day a beautiful rose began to grow where each of the mother’s tears fell. The rose is white for their tears; a gold center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven Cherokee clans. The wild Cherokee Rose grows along the route of the Trail of Tears into eastern Oklahoma today.

 

Source: The Cherokee 1994 Heritage Calendar by Dorothy Sullivan, Memoray Circle Studio, Norman,

 

 

To join in on the project:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/trailoftears/

As a former victim of domestic violence, I have found it is often hard to find resources available to those who are affected by domestic abuse. Initially we are not sure who to talk to, where to go for safety, and we often return to our abusers only to be abused once again.



My goal is to not only petition the makers of Onstar and other automakers who use REMOTE EMERGENCY SERVICE to add a service to victims of domestic violence that will assist them with contacting shelters, counselors, get emotional support, and resources on how to find financial support among others.



Onstar already has councilors available to victims of major disasters. Can you imagine how many lives we can save if the help a victim needs is just at the press of a button in her car? Ideally these devices could be used to contact live advisors who can help victims create escape plans so that they can ensure their escape to safety will be a success.


Please sign our petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Onstars-domestic-abuse-database