How Deep is Your Love?
One of my favorite times of the day is early morning, when the sun is still asleep and all is quiet. I fill my favorite mug with coffee and sit in my chair to do some daily reading and writing. Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest who writes about contemplative practice, is one of my go-to inspirations lately.
This is what he had to say about love:
“Love is what and who you are, in your deepest essence. Love is a place that already exists in side of you, but is also greater than you. It’s within you and yet beyond you. This creates a sense of abundance and more-than-enoughness, which is precisely the satisfaction and deep peace of the True Self.”
I am deeply moved by this thought as it points to the reality that we contain within ourselves everything we need to experience love, vitality, and balance.
When we can learn to tune into our essence, we begin to hear and understand different parts of ourself waiting for our compassionate attention. When we attend and attune to the quiet place within, we can more easily start a journey of listening, healing and celebration.
The real question is how do we get to this place of inner quiet? One of the best ways that I know to journey closer to the center of being is through mindfulness meditation. This type of meditation brings awareness to a single thing: the breath, a particular thought or mantra, an object. When thoughts wander, or feelings come up, that is okay. Mindful meditation is just the practice of returning— returning to self, returning to the moment, returning to the place of love.
If you already have a meditation practice, this is a great month to focus on deepening the love relationship you have with yourself and spirit. Consider committing to 5 or 10 more minutes of seated meditation each day to see what it brings to you.
If you are new to meditation or have never given it a try, I invite you to learn.
Some Tips for Beginning Meditation
Sit or lie in a position that feels relaxed and resilient
Choose one thing to guide your return to focus as you meditate
Notice any thoughts or sensations that come up, release them, and return your focus
Start with 3-5 minutes and build from there, adding a few minutes each week or two