Silence and Birthday Presence

Have you ever noticed the incredible effect that total, utter silence has?  It can enable us to see shades of nature we’ve never noticed before, connect to the song of the treefrogs, and even form a never-before-had appreciation for the gentle buds on the springtime trees. Maybe the thought of being alone with your mind for a month makes you a little uncomfortable, maybe it makes you introspective—or maybe it scares the hell out of you! Whatever your feelings on it, we can all agree that silence can be incredibly powerful… if we slow down and listen. For the last month, I’ve been on a solo, silent meditation retreat and I’m ready to share with you what I learned while I was 100% off the grid. Join me as I break down my experience and talk about some of the realizations I had while I was alone with just me, my thoughts, and my 18-year-old dog.  Today, I’m talking about the power of slowing down, the power of being present, and the power of silence. And here’s the not-always-pleasant truth: when we strip away the distractions of life, we will experience some of the beauty of a calm, settled mind—but we also experience the stuff we’ve been avoiding. In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about the silent meditation retreatI’ve recently returned from (05:04) When we are running for a distraction to make us feel better, we're not setting ourselves up for success (07:00) If you're not able to feel happy, open hearted, and compassionate without your phone, you're in trouble (10:38) The transcendent experience of a simple, solo birthday (12:42) Not being able to allow the mind to settle—like not allowing the dirt and  in a glass of water o settle out—is a cause for concern (15:06) This week’s LoveByte (22:39) Q&A: I can only turn my brain off when I’m scrolling on my phone—help! Research shows that if you have difficulty turning off your mind, you tend to sleep poorly, which may cause cognitive anxiety, physiological anxiety, moodiness, etc. Training your mind to embrace silence and stillness is imperative.  Why can’t I get myself to meditate when I try? Most people meditate unsuccessfully because they haven't been properly instructed. Instead of trying to completely clear your mind in the first go, try letting your thoughts gently dissipate. Why do I feel anxiety as soon as I let go of distraction? Many of us use distractions as a bandaid to avoid thinking thoughts that need to be addressed. Instead of ignoring them, try to gently acknowledge what you’re trying to avoid and then explore why you feel compelled to do that.  Resources mentioned: The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-Fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings Misery or Happiness? The Buddha's Four Facts of Life Let’s Connect! About Me Website - Sign up for Weekly LoveBytes here Facebook Page  Become Passion - Create Love that Lasts A Lifetime immersion program waitlist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.