subject: Create Space for Success [print this page] We have covered a couple of exercise that will help create space in your daily thoughts. The belief is that we have over 65,000 thoughts each day. If we can add space between those thoughts, we will allow more of the divine mind that we are. Meditation is one powerful way to help create this space. However, most of us do not have the time or discipline to meditate on a daily basis for an hour each day. The last statement is a bunch of crap. We all have the time, and we all only need to take advantage of the time that we do have. A student will do his 15 minute "Stepping to the End" exercise twice each morning. Meditating for her is a lot easier when she takes her morning run. Could you do the "Stepping to the End" exercise while you take your daily walk? What could you do at each stop light you encounter? What would happen if you could find just 30 seconds to slow your thoughts down?
If you can count to four, and then cont backwards you can complete this exercise. You will be able to listen to your divine mind and have and feel the difference immediately. Once you start this process, you will find yourself looking forward to traffic lights, or standing in line at a bank. Let us try this now. You must see in your mind eyes each number. You decide how each number appears. Maybe the number is flashing different colors; maybe it is a number that is floating on the ocean. You may be the type of person that has a hard time visualizing things. If this is the case, allow yourself to feel each number. Do not lose your focus on each number. Count up at a leisurely pace. You are not trying to establish a speed record. You are not trying to go so slow that the moon completes its orbit around earth either. Allow the numbers to flow but most importantly concentrate on each number.
Count 1...see the number clearly
2... the number two is clear in your mind there is nothing else
3...the number 3 is more intense and alive than the previous number
4...the number 4 gives you more clarity as you see and feel it in your minds eye.
Did you notice as you counted up you for the most part were inhaling? Now count down from four seeing and feeling each number as you work your way down. Once again, there is a natural tendency to exhale during this process. It is essential that you allow your counting to match your breathing and not the other way around. Relax, see, and feel each number as you go both up and down.
You are driving like a crazy person to get to work on time and yet you are being stopped at each light. While at the stop light, do the exercise. Up and in one...two...three...four, make sure that you see and feel each number. If you lose your focus on a number, you will need to start over at the next stop light. Then exhale while counting down four...3...2...1, stay focused and relaxed. As you finish just one cycle, you will feel more space. Our currently realty will try to do anything to close down the process of creating more space, but with practice and time, you will not be worried about what the rest of the world is thinking or what you once believed was your current realty. You will find yourself looking forward to the times when you can apply this exercise. As you feel like expanding this exercise, feel free to do so with caution. Check with your doctor to ensure that you are in good enough health to start a semi aerobic exercise. Some students have expanded their count up to eight, but they also seem to be aware that counting to eight is enough and there is no need to try to go any higher. Every time you stand in line or waiting at a stop light immediately start this exercise. There is a place in your existences where there is nothing and yet everything. This is the space you enter when doing this exercise correctly. Think of nothing but the current number you are counting if other thoughts enter mind start over. Standing in a line at a bank or some other place is a terrific place to complete this exercise. Just inhale while counting, seeing and feeling 1...2...3...4 and exhale while counting, seeing and feeling 4...3...2...1.
Another version of the "Stepping to the End" exercise has served people exceptionally well that have a spiritual, religious frame of heart. There is a song that based on the Bible story were Jesus stilled the wind and the sea "Peace, Be Still" (#689 in Hymns for Worship Revised and #532 in Sacred Selections for the Church) Those three words are the bases for the exercise. See the word "Peace", allow yourself to see the word in your mind's eye, and continue to watch the word "Peace" until it fades away or you start a new random thought. At this time place, the word "be" in your mind's eye. Again, allow yourself the beauty of just looking at the word "be" until it fades or until a new random thought enters your awareness. Than simply focus on the word "still". See the word "still" in your mind's eye, do not struggle to keep it there let it fade out. If a new random thought takes over start all over with the word "Peace". The advantage of this exercise is that you will find yourself to be tuning out all of those extra thoughts. The extra thoughts, that prevent you from feeling the communication from the Divine Presence that you are.
I cannot always control what goes on outside. Yet, I can always control what goes on inside. A mind at peace, a mind centered and not focused on harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe. ~Wayne Dyer
Caution there are some side effects for all three of these exercises. You will begin to feel better as the day continues. You will feel more rested, at ease, alert, and connected. If you must have side effects, why not enjoy them?
Bill tells a compelling story about using the Peace, Be Still exercise.
I had to go to the local phone store for a Wireless phone account that I had to work on with the customer service representative. The office was full of people I would say that at least 30 people were in the office waiting my turn. This office had a system where you would go pull out a number from the machine, and you just had to wait until your turn. My number was 321 the board said they were on number 278. That meant I would have to wait for nearly 50 people to be help before it was my turn. Therefore, I sat down in a hard metal chair. I did not feel like reading so I decided to try Peace, Be Still. I did not want to close my eyes to do this work because the previous night was a late one. So I simply kept my eyes open and worked on each word. It would take several attempts before I was able to watch the words disappear from my minds eye. I found myself refreshed, and even was friendly to the customer service agent. It did not seem to take such a long time to get help, but I wanted 45 minutes. I actually start to have fun with the process. With my eyes closed, I seem to drift into a state "Peace" unusually quick. Even the couple of times when I kept my eyes open a feeling of "Peace" would descend over me. To be able to create space in my busy world, with three basic words is a sensational experience. I am immensely, grateful for this exercise. I use it sometimes three to four times a day.
"Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know what moves you forward, and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom."~Buddha
