METTA CENTER

(This article was first published in July 2007 Metta Center email newsletter.) "Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country." ~ Anais Nin What do you dream for yourself? I am talking about the kind of dream that really tugs at you, that whispers to you and calls for you in your heart. The kind of dream that has a powerful yearning to come to life. We all have such dreams. But, we often squash them for the sake of "security", 'acceptance", "respect", etc. What would happen if you give that dream a voice and an opportunity to express itself? If you could be that who you want to be, do that what you want to do, have that what you want to have, what would your life be like? What is stopping you? Exercises: 1. During the coming week, be aware  of what longings you hold in your heart, no matter how insignificant your mind might judge them. 2. Close yo...

A client of mine wanted to reinvent herself. I gave her some homework to start her process, and wanted to share the same assignment with you in case you are also in the mood to do a "self makeover." To reinvent yourself, what I found work best is if you start from listening within to your soul's guidance. That guidance can appear in many ways: Dreams Two helpful articles: Dreams that Help Us Make Important Decisions (by Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Ph. D.) and Dreaming the Secret Wishes of the Soul (by Robert Moss) Signs Set the intention that you will receive guidance from the Universe about your reinvention project. Then, as you go about your day, begin to pay attention to the words that catch your eye (billboards, signs on trucks, bumper stickers, t-shirt logos, posters, etc.) and whatever catches your ear (words or songs you hear on the radio, conversations with others, etc.). Notice, too, what makes you feel joyous as you involve all your five senses in the world...

This simple breathing meditation is profoundly easy to do, deeply relaxing and can be very transformative. Breathing is an activity that we do both unconsciously and consciously. Like our heart that beats without our conscious control, our breathing is mostly under the control of our unconscious mind. Unlike our heartbeat that we have no control over, we can influence our breathing to some degree, both the depth and the frequency of the breaths. To do this simple meditation: Drink a cup of water. Find a comfortable place where you can be comfortable and undisturbed for 10 to 15 minutes. Close your eyes, and either lie down or sit down in a relaxed manner. Your spine must be straight and at-ease. Allow yourself to breath in gently and softly. Before you exhale, take in a little more breath. This gently expands your breathing capacity. Each time you practice this expansion process, increase this additional inhalation slightly. Do not force yourself to expand your inhalation in...

No matter how we choose to cleanse, clear, and heal our body and energy field, it is vitally important to do so regularly. Just as we have physical hygiene, it is really important to have energetic hygiene to maintain our well-being spiritually, mentally and emotionally. We live in a psychic soup. One way to clear our energy field from psychic debris that accumulate is to use Violet Flame Meditation. Violet Flame is a gift from Saint Germain to our world. It is an energy of a high vibration that transmutes all negativity within us into positive energy. I find it best if you keep an attitude of appreciation and a beginner's mind when you first do this spiritual practice so you can fully experience the subtle changes in your energy field. To do this meditation: Get into a comfortable position and close your eyes. Breathe deeply and easily. Quietly, say a decree invoking the violet flame: “Divine Presence and Saint Germain, please charge Violet Flame in, through, and about m...

"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." ~ Buddha The practice of metta , or loving kindness, cultivates unconditional friendliness toward the self and others. It raises the vibration of the person practicing it as well as the people receiving the energy of loving kindness itself. In this simplified version of the traditional form of metta meditation, send metta to yourself by inwardly repeating the following verses: "May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be at ease. May I live in peace." Repeat the phrases several times, noticing and accepting any feeling that arise from deep within your heart chakra. Then, bring others to your mind and silently direct those wishes to them, replacing the "I" with "you". If you like, as you go about with your day, direct these thoughts and metta to everyone you meet.

One of my clients has taught me this simple and yet profoundly beautiful meditation. The instructions are simple: 1. Breath in love 2. Breath out joy 3. Repeat ad infinitum until you feel done Give it a try. I found that this meditation quickly aligns me with such delicious feelings of well-being! Thank you, R.S., for sharing this wonderful meditation with me.

Here's a simple and powerful meditation to help you connect with the true power and magic of your breath. Often we take our breath for granted. Do you ever wonder what you would experience if you spent time honoring and marvelling at each breath you took in? Ready to find out? Here are the steps: Get comfortable, either standing up, seated or lying down. Just allow yourself to feel at ease and deeply supported by the ground, the chair, or whatever surface you are on. Close your eyes and take several nice, deep breaths. Allow your mind and body to relax. Be aware of your breaths. Notice the temperature of your breath coming in and going out. Notice how your chest or your belly gently moves up and down in sync with your breathing. Notice that each breath is so unique and different. Spend some time doing this and you will feel even more relaxed. Next, allow yourself to do something different with your breath: honor it, marvel in it, adore it, love it, enjoy and appreciate it a...

Inside Michael J. Tamura's book, "You Are the Answer," there are several simple exercises to help you nurture your intuition and awareness. (To find out more about his work and his lectures, visit his website at www.michaeltamura.com .) For fun, I practiced one that is called, "Awareness Exercise: Seeking First That Which Gives Everything." It is so wonderful that I want to share it with you! When I do this meditation, eyes opened or closed, I connect to a beautiful energy of peace, love and joy. I can feel how deeply accepted and loved I am by my own Spirit. Not only that, I am aware that my awareness is aware of many things at once, which is simply amazing to me. So, here are the steps, adapted from Michael's book: When you are new to this meditation, you might want to do it with your eyes closed to help you focus more easily. Find a time where you can be free of interruption for about 10-15 minutes, and find a place to be comfortable in. Close your eyes. ...