The Sound of now

Do you ever stop and pay attention to the sounds of life within your home?

This week I've been practicing much present moment awareness. 
I practice what I preach mostly because I know it works. 

Sometimes it's not as evident and has an effortless flow.  Sometimes I really have to work toward listening to myself.  This has been one of those weeks.  A week where I need to practice to be present.  A challenge with my inner self.  I've chanted....

I am, here now.
I am here.
Here I am in this present moment.
There is only this moment.
And I breathe.

It's been a process of forgetting in one moment.  A wave of anxiety.  A moment of remembering.  A soothing state of rest of relaxation.

Another tool I've worked with this week is listening to the sounds around me.

Here are some sounds which have brought me into the now....

-Fish tank water cycling.
-Sophie screeching for someone, anyone to throw her ball for her (yes she is one strange cat).
-Bella meowing beside her window (this is one Russian Blue that adores her window time).
-Rodney Yee's Yoga Burn playing in the living room.
-The Oracle's struggle with downward dog (he secretly hates down dog).
-Vishen Lakhiani's Envisoning Method Meditation playing.

I adore the sounds I live with.  Who knew how wonderful and blissful these sounds are?
It's been working albeit slowly.  Give it a go.  Listen then repeat after me:  "Every sound I hear draws me more into the presence of this moment."

And so it will be.

Wishing you much peace,
Tammy
x

PS.  A few changes over on my Etsy page - from its name to some new additions:

Mini journal covers....

 

 

And a book to journal in....

 

 

This is so adorable!  And a great reminder of what is needed this week.

 

Rise.  That's right....rise above it all.

 

Om Shanti Love

 

 

Eternally guided

I was first introduced to Rumi's poem "The Guest House" from a reading by Lilias Folan at a Yoga conference a few years ago.  It was so comforting and so applied to what I had learnt about myself over the years.

I have, in past, suffered from pretty severe depression (I was actually stuck there for years).  One day during this time of suffering a girlfriend said to me, "It's the best thing that could happen!  Depression is such a blessing!"

I thought she was nuts - dropped off the deep end... riding the short bus... loosing her shit.....

I wondered, "How the hell can depression be a blessing?"  It took me a few years, but I finally got it - without knowing or understanding true pain can we truly appreciate what the other side feels like. 

She was so right - you can not have up without down, right without left, incorrect and truth... it's relative.  For us to really appreciate living an abundant life we need to live it's flipside.

I've also learned that happiness takes work.  

This knowing took me so many years to understand. 

I think that's why "The Guest House" made such an impression on me like no other. 

May it do the same for you,
Namaste,
Tammy


THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

~Rumi

My wish for you is eternal guidance

Nice thoughts to take us into the weekend

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.

May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

May all beings dwell in bliss.

May all being rest in great equanimity.

And may all beings wake up to remember their true nature which really is aum-azing!

Shining much love & light beams to you to into your weekend!

Namaste,
Tammy
x

 

PS.  This is a great meditation technique with eyes open or closed simply repeat the above sentences and send your light into the world!