" WHEN MEDITATION IS A BEAR "
( Meditation hints adapted from
the Colorado Division of Wildlife )
by Kim Boykin


There are no definite rules about what to do if
you meet a thought. Thought attacks are rare
compared to the number of close encounters.
However, if you do meet a thought before it has
time to leave the area, here are some suggestions:

REMEMBER:
Every situation is different with respect to the thought,
the terrain, the people, and their activity.

STAY CALM:
If you see a thought and it hasn’t seen you,
calmly leave the area.

STOP:
Back away slowly while facing the thought.
Give the thought plenty of room to escape.
Wild thoughts rarely attack people unless
they feel threatened or provoked.

SPEAK SOFTLY:
This may reassure the thought that no harm is meant it.

IF A THOUGHT STANDS UPRIGHT
OR MOVES CLOSER:
It may be trying to detect smells in the air.
This isn’t a sign of aggression. Once a thought
identifies you, it may leave the area
or it may try to intimidate you by charging
within a few feet before it withdraws.

DON’T RUN OR MAKE SUDDEN MOVEMENTS:
Running is likely to prompt the thought to
give chase and ... you can’t outrun a thought!

*****

(Don't you love it? Be honest, you're as bad as I am.)
Now on to some meditations I do use and like.

(Thank You, Kim!)

Sit quietly for several minutes focusing on your breathing.
Feel the air come in softly through your nose ...
and breathe out gently through your mouth.

On each inhale repeat the phrase, “My mind is calm."
On each exhale repeat the phrase, "My body is relaxed.”
Do this seven times.

Then focus your attention on the center of your chest,
the area above and around your heart
imagine a flower or a flame softly glowing there
use whatever image you associate
with love and compassion.

For the next seven breaths,
imagine that you are breathing in through your lungs
and then breathing out through your heart.

Now picture someone you care about
is standing in front of you. Picture a rainbow of light
totally surrounding this person.

Then envision a beam of Light representing
your loving energy going directly from your heart
to their heart, filling this person.
(This can also be done for someone you are
at odds with or even a perceived enemy.)

Continue this for as long as feels necessary.
Then close with one long ... slow ... deep ... breath,
sending a ray of Light and Love
to surround and fill your self.

paraphrased from the book
“Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water”
by
Brian Like Seaward

Each particle of light becomes absorbed through the
skin and is invited into each cell of every body tissue.

And just as the smoldering embers of a campfire
burst into flames when they are breathed upon,
these light particles ignite the love embers that
have lain dormant deep within each cell of our body.

The love residing in each cell flames forth and fills
your entire body and mind with Light and Love.

There is so much Light and Love within you it bursts forth
and you cannot contain it all ... and it flows forth
to embrace all encounters, happenings and situations
in an ongoing and never ending shower of Love.

Breathe deep and feel it. Breathe deep and see it.
Breathe deep and give it.

Focus all your attention of the flow of air as you breathe
breathe in and breathe out several times.

Now visualize that the air you breathe in is a clean,
pure white, energizing cloud pulled in from
the Great Spirit’s Heavens.

This cool, fresh cloud that you breathe in through
your nose immediately fills your entire body,
from the crown of your head to the tips
of your fingers and toes.

Know that this cloud has been given the power
to clear your mindof distracting thoughts
and of long-held false beliefsas well as
the ability to cleanse and heal your body.

Now, as you breathe slowly and deeply out through
your mouth, visualize that the air leaving your body
is a dark & dingy cloud carrying with it all
your stresses, your frustrations,your regrets,
your fears and concerns. (Pause)

Breathe in through your nose another clear,
white cloud ... and allow it, again, to totally
and completely fill your body.
Then breathe out slowly and deeply through
your mouth, ... again visualizing a dark, dingy cloud
carrying away with it your resentments,
judgements and grudges. (Pause)

Breathe in still another clear, clean, fresh cloud
and as it permeates every cell of your body
it gathers up any and all toxins and substances
that might bring harm or illnessand are released
out of the body in a dark and dingy cloudas you
breathe slowly and deeply out through your mouth.

Repeat this breathing cycle for 5 to 10 minutes or
longer allowing the bright white cloud to circulate
and rejuvenate your mindand body
while the exhalation of the dark cloud releases
whatever comes up to your mind.

Pay attention to the color of the exhaled cloud.
If the color changes from dark to gray or off-white,
it is often a message from your mind that it is
cleansed and refreshed. This is an excellent meditation
to be done on a daily basis.

paraphrased from the book
“Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water”
by
Brian Luke Seaward