Meditation Enlightenment

Do you believe in Predestination? How about Karma or maybe just old fashion Luck? From the moment we are conceived do you think our life is going to be lived like an unfolding story? Do we really make our own choices or are we all actually pulled in one direction or another by something else such as a force or some intuitive instinct deep inside of us? Of course we all want to believe that we actually make our own choices because why bother reasoning things out otherwise, but who really knows for sure?
The title of my paper has meaning that is obvious to me. My meditation journey began after a bad day at the hospital where I work. I was venting to my best friend, my husband Ron, about another stressful day. It wasn’t like he hadn’t heard it all before. I had decided after 20 years of nursing that the time had come to find something else to do.
Like so many other nurses I’m tired of the same soul crushing routine. It’s always the same stressful things such as how many patients can you take and how fast can you do your job. I want to pursue a future position that offers personal gratification as well as using my knowledge, experience, and desire to help others in a meaningful, more rewarding and less stressful way. At that time, I had no clue as to what could meet my needs, but I knew that there had to be something!
That very same evening on the local news a women was being interviewed about her job. She was teaching the corporate world manners. She was holding classes to teach people how to behave in meeting and at the office. Such things as, turn off your cell phone during meetings, don’t talk to someone else while you are on the phone, and be polite. I was floored. This woman was teaching people things they should already know and she was getting paid to do this! I thought if this lady could do this then I should definitely be able to find something in which I could really help people in need, yet in a gratifying manner.
The very next day my answer arrived. The Nursing Spectrum was in the mail. I hate to admit it, but most times I throw it away without even looking at it. I figure, what’s the point? It isn’t going to have anything in it for me. But this day something drew me to take a look, and I am so very glad I did. The ad that described a “Meditation Specialist” caught my eye. Well now that was something different, and something I didn’t know the first thing about. I thought about it for the rest of the day and told my husband when he got home. We talked it over and I decided to call and find out more about the program. I then decided to chance it, and make at least one trip to the Himalayan Institute to check it out in person.
When I arrived at the Himaylan Institute I was very anxious. It was a totally different environment where I knew nobody. I got settled into my room, with no lock on my door, and began to look over my course book. I mention the absence of door locks because it is so very unusual these days to go anywhere in the “civilized” world and there are no locks. It made you give up a preconceived notion of personal security and gave me a feeling of mutual security. That evening we began, and I have to admit it seemed a bit odd at first. I had no previous experience with meditation and no knowledge base to draw on for this experience. The first night I wondered what I had gotten myself into.
The next morning began early. I’m not a morning person and never will be. The yoga was relaxing and a good way to wake up. When we began the meditation my mind was much more open and willing to comprehend everything. I felt different. I enjoyed letting my mind take over. It actually reminded me of my childhood when I would wander in the woods and just be with nature, not having any cares or problems. It was a peaceful and nurturing place where I could feel safe and relaxed.
As the next few days unraveled I made friends, learned new things, and began my journey into meditation practice. When I got home I was excited about the new prospects for the future. However life goes on as usual it seemed as I began to fall back into my old routine and my practice suffered. I was becoming my old self. It didn’t take long to almost completely stop my meditation.
Thank goodness for the next class. I got fired up again. I know in my mind I am the one responsible for my practice but it really helps to be around other people of like minds. I feel different when I’m at the Institute, maybe it’s the atmosphere. Whatever it is, I wish I could bottle it and bring it home with me.
The last class was by far the greatest inspiration for me. My friendships became stronger, my practice more sustained and my desire to improve became greater. I have been doing my practice more routinely. I’m not going to tell you it’s been everyday as there is no need to lie to you or myself. But it’s been close to everyday and becoming more a part of me and my daily routine. I always feel more at peace with myself when I practice.
I have not taught any classes yet. That is going to be my next goal. I need to feel comfortable enough with my own practice before that begins. I have thought of donating my time to provide meditation classes for Hospice and the MS Society. I’m fortunate enough at this time to not necessarily charge for sharing my knowledge and teaching to others. I would like to think I could help others with their lives and to help them feel better with the problems they face every day. In the future I hope to have a paid position conducting meditation classes, but for now I’m taking one day at a time.

Going back to my original thoughts and questions regarding whether we are all destined to a life path, or whether we make choices totally on our own or not, or whether obstacles are thrown at us making us change our course to get our lives back in order, and would we be different people if we made different choices? I don’t have any sure answers to these questions. I can only hope that I can and do make a difference in my life and the lives that I touch.
My journey is just starting. I have a long way to go and I’m going to enjoy the trip. It’s a journey of growth and realization in me and others. I hope to help with their stresses and stressors. Meditation and yoga are things I wish I had found years ago. Now that I have found them I plan on taking advantage of that knowledge.
I want to thank you Susan for doing what you do so well, and for sharing it with others. Thank you for being you and for showing me something I didn’t know I was missing. I look forward to passing this gift along to others. This is the gift of M.E. Meditation Enlightenment. Corlis Teare