Knowledge of Self Week 1

Knowledge of Self - Week 1

Hello my loves. First, let me just say that I thoroughly enjoyed February’s lessons and exercises for The Temple. Those lessons were the perfect lead-in for this month’s lessons and exercises about Self Knowledge. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to be able to participate in this activity with you all. Already, this experience has allowed me to learn so much and has challenged me to dig deep within. 

This month we will dig even deeper to discover, learn, and love our true selves. The relationship you have with yourself (consciously or unconsciously) sets the tone for every other relationship in your life. 

The foundation exercise for Week 1 and all subsequent weeks will focus on Meditation. Meditation is a very critical component of Self-discovery. Quieting the mind is important in order to hear God. Often times we seek God outside of ourselves and in turn neglect to develop a true relationship. It is only when we find God within that we become Masters of our lives.

Week 1 Exercise

Daily Meditation – Each morning and before you go to bed each night, take as long as you possibly can to meditate (This could only be as long as 3-5 minutes at first).  Enter each meditation session with the intent to have a question about yourself answered. Focus on questions that are in relation to you and who you are. Some examples are below. Be sure to focus on only one big question at a time. The first two examples are biggies!

Who am I?

Why am I alive?

What attributes, Skills, & talent do I have to offer?

What are my strengths and areas of weakness?

What are my personal values and personal needs?

What motivates me?

What do I want out of my life?

What do I have a natural ability to do?

What can I do with little or no effort?

What appeals to me naturally?

Now, regarding the actual act of meditation. Do not get caught up in positions. If laying down on your back is most comfortable, by all means please assume the position! What is most important in these sessions is focusing on silencing the millions of voices that are in your head. I’m not sure about you, but this is probably the most challenging part of meditation for me. So how do you stay focused?

There are a couple things you can do:

Focus of thoughts of gratitude - If you find yourself thinking about a million things (what am I going to eat for breakfast/make for dinner? The kids need….., work is going to be crazy today…etc.) try to center your thoughts specifically on the things you are grateful for. For each thing that you find yourself grateful for, say a mental “THANK YOU” This brings a feeling of release and may actually aid in getting you back on track with your original question.

Om (AUM) Chants – Om chants are highly effective for staying centered in your intentions. Om is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions.  It is the basic sound of the universe; so by chanting it we are symbolically and physically tuning in to that sound and acknowledging our connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe. It is also a way to delineate the time of our meditation from the rest of our day and signify that this is a special time in which to care for ourselves and practice being mindful. Please click on the Youtube link to listen to an Om chant.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoYrLM5rGX8

Check in throughout the week to share if these are effective or if there are other effective techniques you use.