WEEK 23
Meditation Practice
Just like last week, focus on keeping your meditation consistent this week. Notice how your ability to be present in your meditation practice is affected by things going on in your life — whether you’ve drunk caffeine, how active you’ve been, whether you’re feeling exhausted and overwhelmed… Pay attention to things that make your mind louder and more distracted and see if you can make changes in your life that will help you be more fully present and feel more deeply alive.
Monday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Tuesday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Wednesday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Thursday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Friday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Saturday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Sunday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 20 minutes Body Awareness + 5 minutes Loving-Kindness
Monday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Tuesday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Wednesday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Thursday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Friday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Saturday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 15 minutes Body Awareness — Sitting of Strong Determination
Sunday — 5 minutes Breath Awareness + 20 minutes Body Awareness + 5 minutes Loving-Kindness
Mindful Living Practice — Find Your Purpose
As a kid, I remember being asked over and over again, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. But, not once was I asked, “Who do you want to be?” or “What are your values?” or “What gifts do you carry in your soul?”.
I remember hearing my parents and teachers talk about work and employment and job-prospects and finding a career but I don’t remember anyone talking about meaning and purpose. And it’s only in the last few years that I’ve realised the importance of doing the thing that we feel we are put on this earth to do.
Because we all long to feel that we have cosmic significance. That our work is needed. That what we do matters. That we can make a difference.
A couple of years ago, I sat down and asked myself two questions, allowing just one word for each answer:
The answer to the first question came pretty naturally — I would like to help people awaken. I would like to help people awaken the compassion and love in their heart, to awaken to the beauty in the world, to awaken to the sheer joy of being alive.
I had to think a little harder about the second one — to find an adjective that would remind me how to live and love and be in this world. I realised that, for me, the most powerful moments in my life have also been the most gentle.
And so I found my purpose — gentle awakening.
This week, take some time to reflect on your purpose — why you are here, who do you want to be, and what you hold sacred.
Ask yourself the following questions, answering the first question with a verb (what you are going to do) and the second question with an adjective:
Write those two words down. Keep them in your heart and everything you do. Even when society tells you this and this and this is more important, even when your mind wanders and your ego tries to persuade you to take a different path — a path that offers more glamour or riches, come back to your purpose and trust that you can make a difference.
I remember hearing my parents and teachers talk about work and employment and job-prospects and finding a career but I don’t remember anyone talking about meaning and purpose. And it’s only in the last few years that I’ve realised the importance of doing the thing that we feel we are put on this earth to do.
Because we all long to feel that we have cosmic significance. That our work is needed. That what we do matters. That we can make a difference.
A couple of years ago, I sat down and asked myself two questions, allowing just one word for each answer:
- “What am I willing to dedicate my life to?”
- “How am I going to do it?”
The answer to the first question came pretty naturally — I would like to help people awaken. I would like to help people awaken the compassion and love in their heart, to awaken to the beauty in the world, to awaken to the sheer joy of being alive.
I had to think a little harder about the second one — to find an adjective that would remind me how to live and love and be in this world. I realised that, for me, the most powerful moments in my life have also been the most gentle.
And so I found my purpose — gentle awakening.
This week, take some time to reflect on your purpose — why you are here, who do you want to be, and what you hold sacred.
Ask yourself the following questions, answering the first question with a verb (what you are going to do) and the second question with an adjective:
- “What are you willing to dedicate your life to?”
- “How are you going to do it?”
Write those two words down. Keep them in your heart and everything you do. Even when society tells you this and this and this is more important, even when your mind wanders and your ego tries to persuade you to take a different path — a path that offers more glamour or riches, come back to your purpose and trust that you can make a difference.
If you can, see if you can keep up the mindful living practices from the last few weeks too. If you need a reminder, I’ve popped them below.
Week 1 -- Don’t Scratch the Itch
Week 2 — Non-Harm
Week 3 — Non-Stealing
Week 4 — Speak Only Kindness
Week 5 — Take a Break From Intoxicants
Week 6 — Conscious Relationships
Week 7 — R.A.I.N
Week 8 — Send Happiness
Week 9 — Let Someone Else Be Right
Week 10 — Wash Up
Week 11 — Play
Week 12 -- Practise the Pause
Week 13 — Practise Intentional Meandering
Week 14 — Take a Break From Social Media
Week 15 — Practise Urge Surfing
Week 16 — Practise C.O.A.L.
Week 17 — Practise Gratitude
Week 18 — Practise Thought Catching
Week 19 — Act On Every Impulse To Give
Week 20 — Practise Silence
Week 21 — Stop and Stroke The Cat
Week 22 — Go On An Adventure
Week 1 -- Don’t Scratch the Itch
Week 2 — Non-Harm
Week 3 — Non-Stealing
Week 4 — Speak Only Kindness
Week 5 — Take a Break From Intoxicants
Week 6 — Conscious Relationships
Week 7 — R.A.I.N
Week 8 — Send Happiness
Week 9 — Let Someone Else Be Right
Week 10 — Wash Up
Week 11 — Play
Week 12 -- Practise the Pause
Week 13 — Practise Intentional Meandering
Week 14 — Take a Break From Social Media
Week 15 — Practise Urge Surfing
Week 16 — Practise C.O.A.L.
Week 17 — Practise Gratitude
Week 18 — Practise Thought Catching
Week 19 — Act On Every Impulse To Give
Week 20 — Practise Silence
Week 21 — Stop and Stroke The Cat
Week 22 — Go On An Adventure