twen88

-- Jemma

It's been about a year and a half now since returning from my trip to China and each day I try to dedicate at least half hour of the meditation practice. Most times when sitting still, either waiting in doctor's offices, or in the line up of the grocery store or driving along, I find myself repeating the mantra, Om mani pad mei hum (pronounced Om mani beimei hung) under my breath, and unbelievably life seems smoother, less intense and easier to be more patient while in waiting mode.

Often times, I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, and lying there repeating the mantra which helps me drift back into sleep. But where I have significantly noticed the difference is in my overall health. For those who have known me for years, they have experienced my bouts of incapcitation where I literally could not get out of bed, or move about the house without great pain. Either a flare in my joints from the Lupus, or back/hips giving out on me, or even the multiple mouth/nose sores that stopped me eating (though I didn't lose weight) would go on for weeks at end. Since starting meditation -- I am practically sympton free. I would never have thought that possible only 2 years ago. I live pain free now, I have reduced under the guidance of my doctor medication in half, and I continue to live without daily Tylenol 3s to get by.

Was it just the meditation?

No, but the meditation got me changing my lifestyle. A type A personality that was always multi-tasking, worrying, stressing out over building my career, not prioritizing, not focusing on what is important. Working until I drop. Does that sound like some of you...

I turned my life around (and not forceably -- it seemed to come naturally once meditation was in my life). I changed my diet to a full vegetarian diet, I don't eat dairy so stay away from the unwanted calories and lactose upsets, I try to exercise regularly, I continue to visit my Chiropractor for maintenance check-ups. But most of all, I've learned to identify when I get stressed out, and force myself to rest, slow down, and realize life continues to go on regardless of my wreckless mind going a hundred miles a minute. Focus, focus, focus ... not an easy thing to do, but with more practice of the meditation, it does get easier. Patience, understanding that it does take repetitive practice to accomplish, but even, things start to positively happen for you without you noticing. Things fall into place, things go your way. The more you try recklessly without wisdom, the more they fail. Approaching with wisdom, only shows positive results.

Over the past year, I have been reading at least 2 books a week on Dharma teachings, listening to MP3 lectures, practicing and most of all opening my heart to help others by sharing this amazing gift - TWDD Meditation. Along with Wen, we have accomplished and continue to accomplish all our goals we set out with respect to our life. We write them down, we set a timeline, and we implement them. That last step is what I see many people stumble on, as they are scared to move forward. With some meditation, this clarity will open up, the confidence will grow, and you too will see positive results come your way.

I will continue to write about my progress, my challenges and share with you my meditation experience, in hopes that it will help you see your own path.