Meditation for Survival - Staying Centred in the Maelstrom

This life is so very busy isn't it?

Some of us endlessly complain about 'not having enough time' to do X, Y or Z, yet are we cheating ourselves out of precious time by not remaining centred?

Centering is a term used to describe a sense of being grounded in the one 'place'. This place can be a physical space to start off with, as this may encourage a kind of patience in us. This patience is usually what is lacking from not remaining centred in the beginning. After a while, once you have gained the keen awareness of your own 'Centre', you can bring this personal energy signature to wherever you are and whatever you are involved in. So the 'place' becomes a vibration of energy more than a physical space that you retreat to.

An awareness of centre can also be encouraged by focus on the Third Chakra point of the Solar Plexus. This area is thought to be the resting place of the soul or human spirit in many cultures, and is representative of the deepest 'ego', or place where our primitive self worth is stored. The colour of this energy point in our energy body is brilliant Gold, or yellow. Focussed thought on this colour and point on the physical body (just around the diaphram) can easily bring a deep sense of calm and peace.

I am personally, a visualisation junkie. :) So when I do a centering visualisation I literally see a great tornado / maelstrom around me - things flying everywhere - blackness and lightening - the whole thing! And there is I, ME, the Being, smack bang in the centre, with a serene and detached expression. I feel that I am almost 'sucking in' the tumultuous energy of the maelstrom, and putting it into the Solar Plexus for good use later on when I'll need it, or wish to use it for some 'good'. I have the Third Chakra set to 'intake' and let it wind it all in like pure gold thread! This visualisation can take seconds (if I'm in a shopping centre and its all gotten 'too much' for me) or it can be a wonderful, prolonged journey via a warm bath, a relaxing walk or a sit outside in the garden on a pleasant day when I reward myself with a good 20 minutes sunshine.

I think all of us come to realise that 'losing our temper' or becoming agitated, aggressive and irrational, wastes our time and energy. Getting our energy all 'fizzed' like this inevitably leads to accidents, problems, misinterpretations and misunderstandings. (and that is always a waste of time and energy) This very 'fizzing' is what stretches our energy field, distorting our perceptions, and ultimately removes us from Centre.

The Buddha once said, "there is absolutely nothing worth getting angry about,....nothing", and it has to be one of the most enlightening statements ever made! Because really, what does anger, or a vibration similar to it, 'fear', actually achieve? Absolutely nothing of course. It does not change the situation that occurred. It does not lead to a productive outcome. It does not teach us anything about the truth in a situation that led to such strong feelings in the first place. When we access Centre, we find the truth of 'what', 'where', 'how' and 'why'. We even access truth of 'who' we are. From this point we can hope to make progress.

'Progression' is not just taking the steps, but following steps of a process, that ultimately leads to a greater understanding; a definition of enlightenment that bursts with truth. It is not following a banal doctrine, a set of ideas, or ideals from a particular personality. These kinds of things set our Self outside of our Centre, giving us the easy 'out' when it comes to grasping responsibility for our existences. They do not encourage truth from within.

Truth from within is a terrifying thing at first, mainly because one has to dive in through that maelstrom. Once inside though, the feeling of ultimate safety, of control by releasing control, is intoxicating.

Below are a few affirmations and their short explanations to try out while finding Centre.

"I find great beauty in the world around me" (abundance is boundless)

"I find deep peace in sorrow" (happiness comes from compassionate feelings)

"I find ancient awareness within aggravation" (my primal nature is timeless)

"Within Me I find my Teacher" (everything I need is already with me)