Meditation Day 10 - Africa Awakens

Day 10 of Meditation for a Month over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodi Chapman.

Years ago (10-15?) I bought a set of relaxation CD's called Natural Dreams. Each CD has a different theme. For today's meditation I chose a CD called Africa Awakens, and listened to the first two songs: Serengeti Sunrise and Kube-Tu (Cross the River).

Here's the description from the back of the CD:

"Experience the fabulous rhythms of Africa captured in this musical tapestry of drums, flutes, chants & other native African instruments, along with a backdrop of natural sounds from the forests & plains of Africa."

First, it was relaxing. The first song opened with an elephant trumpeting in the background. I thought, "cool - I'm going on safari!" But that's all there was until the end, when it closed with more elephant trumpeting.

The second song opened and ended with rain, which I loved.

I would definitely recommend the CD, but I do wish there had been more animal and water sounds and more chanting.

African chanting is mesmerizing. Here's a great one called African Sunset - African Tribal Orchestra:

Have you ever seen Zulu? The war chant 

in this scene is impressive:

To check out what others had to say about Day 10 of meditation go HERE.

Meditation Day 9 - The Celestine Prophecy

Day 9 of Meditation for a Month over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodi Chapman.

Some of you will remember The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield, a best-selling book that came out in 1993, about a man who goes on a journey to locate a series of nine ancient spiritual insights from an ancient manuscript.

You may not know that James Redfield self-published this book, way back in 1993, and that it is one of the best-selling self-published books of all time!

Today's meditation audio tape, The Celestine Meditations, is a guided meditation based on the fifth insight of The Celestine Prophecy. 

The Fifth Insight  is a message from the mystics:


"Insecurity and violence ends when we experience an inner connection with divine energy within, a connection described by mystics of all traditions. A sense of lightness--buoyancy--along with the constant sensation of love are measures of this connection. If these measures are present, the connection is real. If not, it is only pretended."

I found the meditation relaxing and soothing as it led me through a forest and white healing light, to a tall tree with water trickling nearby. The guiding voice told me that I was important to the spiritual evolution of the world, and that I was a spirit filled with white light. It made me feel good and I'll be listening to this one again.

Here is a trailer from the movie, which explains about the hunt for the prophecies:

You can also get the full 100 minute movie from youtube HERE.

To check out what others are saying about Day 9 of meditation go HERE.

Meditation Day 8 - Tribal Winds

Day 8 of Meditation for a Month over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodi Chapman.

I decided to go tribal again, since yesterday's meditation worked out so well. Plus, it requires very little on my part except to sit still and listen. Today's CD is called Tribal Winds, music from Native American Flutes. But of course, it was much more than just flutes. Some drumming, some chanting, some hawk or eagle sounds, an owl, plus rain and rolling thunder. I love rain and rolling thunder.

Here is what the back of the CD says:

"For centuries, Native American people have honored the wind with their haunting, meditative flute music. On this one-of-a-kind intertribal collection, evocative flute songs performed by unsurpassed masters blend with drums, chants and authentic natural sounds, so that the wind might once again carry these ethereal, wistful strains to the far corners of the earth."

The front indicates this music is created by Cheyenne, Comanche, Ute, Navajo, Zuni, Dakota, Kiowa-Apache, Mandan and Algonkian.

Here is the first track

called Creator's Prayer

I listened to the first five tracks, which was about 18.27 minutes. It flew by! I only planned on the first three tracks, or about 12.76 minutes. It just goes to show how relaxing it is.

I didn't have any earth shattering epiphanies or anything like that, just good, solid, relaxation. I highly recommend it.

To see what others are saying about Day 8 of Meditation, go HERE.



Meditation Day 7 - Native American Peyote Songs

Day 7 of Meditation for a Month over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodi Chapman.

Today I listened to a Verdell Primeaux & Johnny Mike CD called Hours Before Dawn. According to the CD cover, it contains "Harmonized Peyote Songs of the Native American Church."

If you've never listened to Native American chanting and drumming, it's awesome and I highly recommend it. It's very relaxing, soothing and meditative.

This is from the back of the CD:

"Peyote songs, accompanied by rattle and water drum, are musical prayers of the Native American Church. Created and sung by Grammy Award winners, Verdell Primeaux of the Sioux and Johnny Mike of the Navajo, these harmonized songs help listeners on their spiritual quest and provide an atmosphere of peace and harmony. Two songs in the healing style (peyote songs without drum and rattle) are included as a special encore."

Here's a song from the CD called

Standing All Alone

In a way, I found it more relaxing than a guided meditation, because guided meditation requires visualization. Visualization is tough - it's work. It's take a while to get good at it. I used to meditate quite a bit, but I've had to get back into the hang of it for this Month of Meditation event.

I just sat and listened to the chanting with my eyes closed, and tried not to think of anything. When I found myself "thinking" I focused on my breath.

I've had a lot of success with guided meditation, but this was a nice change. I highly recommend it!

If you want to find out what other's are saying about Day 7 meditation, go HERE.

Meditation Day 6 - Thich Nhat Hanh

A Collective Walking Meditation

I watched Oprah's Super Soul Sunday today and her guest was Thich Nhat Hanh, a Zen Buddhist Monk and prolific author. His whole life and the way he's lived it is an inspiration.

So I was very excited when he spoke about meditation, as I'm participating in Month of Meditation over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodi Chapman.

In particular, he spoke about walking meditation. It's a mindfulness meditation where you breathe in, take two steps and say, "I have arrived. I have arrived." Then you breathe out and take another two to three steps and say, "I am home, I am home, I am home." In this way, you are living in the here and now. This walking meditation has been done in groups all over the world. I love this idea. Can you imagine the awesome collective energy?  

It's all about the here and now. Only in the here and now can you touch life with all it's wonders. Only in the here and now are you free from regret concerning the past. Only in the here and now are you free from your fear about the future and are able to touch life deeply.

Hanh says that people sacrifice the present for the future, but that life is only available in the present moment. That is why we should walk in such a way that every step can bring us to the here and now. This way we can live deeply in that moment of life and the practice of mindful walking helps us to learn how to live happily every moment of our daily lives.

This struck a chord with me. When everything is always in the future, the future never comes. So then you've lost the future, in addition to the present. By the same token, living in the past is a waste of time. The only thing that matters is the here and now. It'd be a tough practice to implement in our western world, but through walking meditation it is completely possible for a little while. And with baby steps, I think I could put some of the "here and now" into practice.

I haven't read any of Hanh's books, but after watching him speak on television, I am definitely going to pick one up. Check out his books on Amazon HERE.

To see what other's are saying about Day 6 of meditation, go HERE.

Meditation Day 5 - Spectators

It's Day 5 of Meditation for a Month over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodi Chapman.

I'm feeling tired today and not really in the mood for meditation. But Jodi say's that walking is a sort of meditation, and I did walk nearly five miles today. Probably not supposed to be listening to my ipod, though.

On the other hand, I live in the rural Rocky Mountains, so that's sort of meditative in itself. I live on ten acres of woods with lots of wildlife.

And today, I had some really cute spectators:

They blend in really well.

Do you see her?

Looking a bit scraggly - they're in

the process of getting their summer coats.

Hmm, this one might be ready to give birth.

Here is a fawn from last year. We worried she

might have been abandoned, but the mama came back.

Isn't it adorable?

If you want to read other responses from Day 5 of Meditation for a Month, go HERE. 

Meditation Day 4 - A Warm Tongue

Just a quick post as it's Friday!

It's Day 4 of Month of Meditation over at Soul Speak, hosted by Jodie Chapman.

Here's how it went:

I listened to the flipside of Guided Meditation from Brain Sync. I didn't know when I started that it was going to be music only. So after about five minutes I tried to remember the guided meditation from yesterday. It was relaxing and I was able to go at my own pace and move on when I felt like it.

Again, the meandering grassy path, perfect weather, soft breeze, sunflowers of all colors and sizes.

The warm, healing pool of water, the comfy bed, the golden healing light coming down in columns.

A warm tongue licking my feet....

Mind out of the gutter, please!

My dog Tuffy must have been attracted to all the white light I surrounded myself with!

If you want a good laugh, go read Crazy California Claire's Day 4 of meditation. It's hilarious!

To view how other's experienced Day 4, go HERE.

Meditation Day 3 - Perfectly Lovely

Today is Day 3 of Meditation for a Month hosted by Jodi Chapman over at Soul Speak.

I did Guided Meditation by Brain Sync. On the case, it's says it's a clinically proven method, using sound waves that move your mind. I've had the cassette tape forever - I'm pretty sure they don't sell it in this format any more. I think the picture on the right is the CD version of what I listened to.

The 30 minutes just zipped by and it was so relaxing. I will definitely do this one again. Probably tomorrow.

Here's how it went:

Slipped into my chair, donned my headphones and started the tape.  

I was soon into the journey. Kelly Howell's voice was smooth and easy on the ears. Her guidance was descriptive and conjuring up the imagery was simple. The place she took me to was absolute heaven. Like I went to a spa in my imagination, and everything was about me.

Meandering paths, a secret door, a warm pool of water with towel and comfy clothing waiting when you get out, a bed to rest on, a column of gold healing light, and a surprise visitor.

I think I may have fallen asleep once...

AND it's in stereo. Kelly seemingly speaks from the center with occasional reminders echoing in your right or left ear.

I haven't had a chance to check Brain Sync's other products, but they do have a sample meditation HERE.

To check out other responses for Day 3 of meditation, go HERE.

Meditation - Day 2 - Tin Man, The Grinch & Whoville

Welcome to Day 2 of Meditation for a Month, hosted by Jodi Chapman at Soul Speak.

Today's meditation didn't go so well, but at least I sat quietly with my eyes closed.

For some reason, my imagination just ran wild. Totally out of control.

Here's how it went:

I chose a 20 minute guided meditation from the Spirit of Angels CD called Heart Centering. 

First, three minutes into it I wondered if I was listening to the meditation from yesterday, because it started out the same. Sat forward. Checked CD. Restarted CD.  

Guided to imagine healing energy going through the top of my head, forehead, nose, cheeks, chin, throat, chest. The guide said to imagine an instance of unconditional love. No problem, it's all good.

Guided to move down to the heart and feel the unconditional love. Okay, still good.

And then, the guide says to focus on my heart. This is where the problem came in. We all know what a heart looks like. You know that thing that comes inside the turkey every thanksgiving? Yeah.

So then the next thing to come to my mind was the tin man. You know all the poor dude ever wanted was a heart.

The wizard finally gave him one on a chain. Uh huh. I'm coming up with some vivid imagery here when I'm supposed to be concentrating.

And then, the guide says to imagine my heart growing and enlarging with all the love I'm feeling.

Yeah. Shades of the Grinch. His heart grew three times as large that special day when he learned to love.

Then the guide says to imagine the love growing, enlarging, spreading out.......to an area as big as a city! Seriously? Don't make me go there!

Yeah, here comes Whoville and the Grinch looking down that big mountain with his oversized heart nearly beating through his chest.

At first I thought I'd re-do this same meditation on Day 3 and try to get a better result. But I'm pretty sure it's too late for that...

To see what others had to say about Day 2, go HERE.

Meditation - Day 1

Today is Day 1 of month-long meditation. If you're interested, it's being hosted by Jodi Chapman at Soul Speak.

Here is the link to Day 1 at Soul Speak if you want to hear results.

Here's what I did and how it went:

I picked out a CD called Spirit of Angels, a guided meditation that leads you to meeting your spirit guide. I sat in my office chair, which is very comfortable. I closed my eyes and tried to settle. But I itched. Everywhere. Back, legs, arms, head. That place right between your shoulders. When I was scratched out, I willed myself to be still.

I was told to relax, starting from my head, then crawling down my arms, torso, stomach legs, feet. My right shoe was tied too tightly. Should I untie and loosen it? No. Tried to ignore it.

I was distracted by the fact that I could hear the person leading the meditation swallow every now and then. And breathe. Seriously? This is meditation, I shouldn't be hearing these things. I willed myself to focus.

I was guided to go to a park and to envision what everything looks like. Trees, bushes, grass. A peaceful setting.

The dogs barked. Loud. I thought deer were in the yard. But then I wondered if it was a bear, and maybe I should get up and look. But I didn't.

I told myself again to focus.

I was guided to look up the path and see who was coming.

It was me.

Here was my chance to ask my spirit guide (me?) whatever questions I wanted answered.

But I'm not going announce to the cyber world the crazy stuff my head made up after that. If you really want to know, email me at: ladygwen@centurylink.net.

In the end, it felt really good and I was pleased with the results.

A Month of Meditation

Is your life hectic or stressful? This is the perfect solution to slow down, breathe and get centered. Especially for those of you who just finished the grueling 30 days of the A-Z Challenge!

Jodi Chapman over at Soul Speak is hosting a month long meditation in May. All you have to do is meditate for a few minutes every day and then go to her site and report on how it went.

Here's the link to Day 1.

Your meditation can be a few minutes of stillness or a guided meditation on tape. You can even sit in stillness with relaxing music in the background. However you want to do it is fine. If you don't have meditation cd's or tapes, you can buy them on her site. I happen to have a few tapes and cd's so I'm all set.

It's been a long time since I've meditated, but I've been meaning to. I even dug out my tapes about two months ago and then didn't do anything with them! So when this came up, I took it as a little heavenly nudge to get busy and, er, relax.

My first meditation went awesome. I am soooo looking forward to this.

Be sure to check out my Insecure Writer's Support Group post tomorrow where I will post links to inspirational sites.

I'm on a roll!