Meditation Monday: Breath

breath

[breTH]

NOUN

1. the air taken into or expelled from the lungs.

   One of the great benefits of meditation is becoming more attuned to the mind/body connection or union, which for me, lends itself to a sense of peace and wholeness to my existence on this plane called Earth, and it turns out that one of the easiest meditations to begin the cultivation of mind/body union is your breath.  Each day we breathe about 20,000 times, so there's no shortage of opportunity to stop, and focus on your breath!

   Here's a simple, but effective meditation.  Lie down or sit in a comfortable position.  Really take a moment to first align your spine and broaden the collar bone and chest to allow more space for your breath to enter into your body.  After you find alignment, then allow the muscles of your body to really relax if only for this moment. 

   Now place one hand on your abdomen and one on your heart and begin to let your mind relax on your breath.  Begin to take really full, nurturing inhales.  Notice how the lungs expand, and when they expand, the ribs expand, too.  If you are lying on the ground, you can notice the ribs expanding into the ground as well as on your hand.  I like to imagine my ribs as rubber bands expanding and contracting as I breathe.

    Now notice how the abdomen expands slightly, and contracts slightly with each inhale and exhale. The greatest expansion is in the chest and ribs, but your abdomen is involved in the movement as well.

   Turn your attention to your exhale.  Really focus on releasing every last bit of oxygen as your exhale.  Allow the breath to be soft, gentle and nurturing. 

   Combine all three areas of focus --inhale, exhale, soft breath -- notice how your mind is relaxing with each round of breath, perhaps the universe has suddenly become a much more soft, gentle and nurturing place.  Practice this breath in the morning, in the evening, and really anywhere, anytime you want to connect the mind and body and perhaps bring the immediate events surrounding you into a clearer focus.

   
   

   Enjoy~~~~~

Hay House 2015 Gift Guide!!!

 
Give the gift of contentment this year, and check some of the amazing deals Hay House publishing has to offer. Right now they giving away an amazing gift for purchases over $35: I AM; Wishes Fulfilled Meditation CD by Dr. Wayne Dyer and James F. Twyman...amazing. Yes, you can have contentment through the holidays and beyond~
http://bit.ly/2015HayHouseHolidays

It's Time for Meditation Monday!

Yes, it's November...nature is and has been changing, daylight savings happens to some, and it's the start of the Holiday Season. For some those words "holiday season" bring a feeling of stress and dread, and that is why I am suggesting that this is the PERFECT TIME to begin a meditation practice, or if you already have this practice, perhaps tacking on an extra five minutes or setting aside an extra session during the day to perhaps cultivate that feeling of peace within that you can call into action at any moment throughout the next couple of months.

You see when the habit of meditation is formed, just like any discipline in life, the more you practice it, the more your body naturally performs, which is pretty sweet! but start out slow. If this is new to you, perhaps start with one minute in the morning right after you wake up. You can use that minute to quiet your thoughts, focus on your breathing a go within. I personally do my best to start my day out this way, and I always feel a bit more centered, and focused when I check in with myself first, before checking in with the world. And once this habit is formed, maybe increasing the practice in one-minute increments, and always check or even journal the changes and the differences and the progress or not, is going; REMEMBER, each day, each moment is different.

My favorite time to meditate is before I go to sleep. I take up a comfortable seated posture with my legs crossed, sitz bones rooted firmly into the bed, nice straight and aligned spine and neck, and I spend 10 to 15 minutes meditating before I settle into my restful slumber, which I am inclined to believe is even more restful due to this habit. I find I am able to focus the mind easier due to the fact my day is done and there's nothing left to concern myself with for that day.

I always encourage an attitude of experimentation and play when it comes to forming a new practice. Like I mentioned before, maybe it's helpful to keep a meditation journal? Try to meditate at various time during the day, and see which time really clicks for you. The key to forming this new habit is to meditate around the same time every day. Your brain simply starts to expect it, and you will find it will become easier and easier, and once this practice becomes a part of you, the peace and solace you find in your meditation will begin seep into your day-to-day events, and maybe you find that the words "holiday season" are not as stressful and dreadful as once perceived. I mean, it's all a matter of perspective; right?

Happy Meditating,
Bece

Hay House for the Holidays!

Check out Hay House for some holiday solace and inspiration; Click on the image, and just like magic, you are THERE!!!

Meditation Monday's Maiden Voyage!

Welcome to my first ever Meditation Monday post!  I would first like to start off with the definition of meditation, so that we have a universal basis of understand to communicate with.

MEDITATION: 

: the act or process of spending time in quiet thought
: the act or process of meditating

: an expression of a person's thoughts on something

                                                                                   from Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.

I find it very intriguing that the first post of this new adventure would happen on a day that we observe Mr. Christopher Columbus, the famed explorer.  I know the topic sparks a bit of controversy, but I would like to put that aside for the moment, and talk about something I find a bit more provocative, and that is the concept of exploration.

If it hadn't been for Christopher Columbus, and many others before and after him, we would not be jaunting around the universe as we are today!  It takes that first bold step, that deep exploration into the unknown to really discover and come up with some amazing and profound insights, whether it be our outer environment or out inner environment.

I find it interesting that we actually do not need to take a step out our front door to go on a very exciting voyage into new territory.  All it takes is a few minutes, maybe 15, 30, maybe an hour to quiet the mind, surrender to this new moment, every moment, and witness and observe what appears...or perhaps take that first step into that deep magical void inside the very center of us, whether that be your heart or that area right below the naval, that connects each and every one of us to the cosmos, universe, god, whatever description you would like to give it. 

Yes, perhaps the idea is exhilarating, perhaps frightening, or maybe you observe a hesitation or some thoughts of boredom, or I don't have "time".  Pause, just for that moment, and acknowledge those thoughts, feelings and emotions as a very important and integral part of you.  Thank them for bringing you to a new chapter of awareness, and then perhaps right before you eyes those thoughts transform!  Perhaps that's "life".  Perhaps that's the exploration, the voyage that you are on.  What an amazing adventure for you!

I hope you enjoyed this post, and stay tuned because I plan on doing this every Monday.
Warm wishes,
Bece

It's Time to Shift Our Awareness! Join me~

Rikka's Money Abundance Quiz...try it for yourself!

Free Winter of Wellness 2015 Online Summit*

http://bit.ly/WinterofWellness2015
This is going to be sooo Amazing!  40 wellness pioneers will be speaking free January 20, 2015 through March 20, 2015.  It is going to change my life and yours.  This free information is invaluable. 
Click on the link Now to reserve your spot in this life changing summit!  Changing the world begins with you. :)
http://bit.ly/WinterofWellness2015

David Wolfe Nutrition Certification 25% off New Year Sale!!

For those of you familiar with David Wolfe, you know he's in the forefront of health, nutrition, raw diets, cacao, herbs, food color and medicinally mushrooms.
He has many very interesting and informative books, Super Foods is one of my faves, check it out.
But did you know that he Nutrition Course and Certification that is really amazing if you are looking to start your own holistic career or just dive deeper into the holistic lifestyle.
http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeNutrition

Here's the synopsis from the Mind Body Institute:

Upgrade your life and career in holistic health, in just moments each day! You’re going to LOVE David Wolfe’s Nutrition Certification program! The information you learn in this extensive course can be applied to your daily life, and used to improve your own health, integrated into your existing knowledge base, and will enhance your career qualifications as a health coach. Enjoy the flexibility of an online video course series that is flexible, and allows you work and finish at your own pace… no matter where you are in the world!

• Your world is your school… Learn online with David from anywhere!
• Use the information instantly… Next, go offline and practice what you’ve learned!
• Education that fits a busy life… Improve your life and those of family and clients! 

http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeNutrition

There are 70 videos in total and a final exam, so you can take this course from the comfort of your home and the videos have the coolest topics like:  Creating Elixirs, Seaweeds, Body and Mind condition, Maximum Immunity, Rare Plant, Making a Chocolate Treat and so many more.
If this is something you have been interested in and would like to learn more, click on the link and start your new life today!
http://bit.ly/DavidWolfeNutrition

And don't forget there's a 25 percent off sale happening now, so jump on this Amazing Opportunity!

Raw Luscious Chocolate Hemp Seed Pie!

I got this delicious recipe from the Gorilla Foods cookbook, although I changed crusts to make it even more decadent.

Crust:
1 1/3 Cups hazel nut aka filberts
4 Lg. pitted dates
3 Tbsp. cacao butter, melted....gently melt your cacao butter in a double boiler stirring often.
1/4 Tsp. salt
Pinch vanilla powder or a dash of extract.

Filling:
1 Cup cacao powder  http://bit.ly/SunfoodsCacao
17 pitted dates
3/4 Cup hemp seeds...packed full of Omegas!
1/4 Cup and 3 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted or softened  http://bit.ly/SunfoodsCoconutOil
1/4 Cup cacao butter, melted  http://bit.ly/SunfoodsCoconutOil
2 5/8 Cups water
2 Tbsp. coconut flakes for garnish
2 Tbsp. cacao nibs, for garnish

Crust:

1.  Place all ingredients except cacao butter in food processor and process till fine. 

2.  Add cacao butter and process until combined.

3. Press into a 10 inch springform pan 3/4 up the sides.

Filling:

1.  In a blender, place all ingredients and blend until oil is incorporated and mixture is smooth.

2.  Pour into pie crust and refrigerate to set (3 to 4 hours).

3.  Carefully remove from springform pan and slide pie onto a large plate.

4.  Garnish with sprinkles of coconut flakes and cacao nibs.

5.  Serve and enjoy~