Denis P. // February 28th, 2017
For many years I felt that something was missing in my life, and also that this wasn’t even really my life, but rather a movie I found myself in, with no control over the direction it was going. Then at one point, a thought popped up in my mind – there must be more to this.
That thought was present for a while, and then I met my partner who’d been doing Lightwork for a long time. I kept asking her about meditation. I had many questions, but was looking for the information from more of an intellectual point of view, so one day she told me, “You can find all the answers from within, and meditation will facilitate that.”
I took my first Lightwork class shortly after. She was right.
Darci R. // January 23rd, 2017
I used to think that freedom meant you could just fly where the wind takes you without a care in the world. I equated being free with not having any responsibilities.
I was under the impression that there was freedom and then there was reality. The two did not intermingle. Now, though meditation I have deepened my understanding of freedom and I recognize it as an internal state. It is not about external things.
Analytically I knew that even people in tough situations of abuse or poverty or war could be ‘free in their mind’. I’d heard stories of historical figures such as Gandhi or Mandela who overcame great oppression and maintained a level of freedom but I didn’t understand how this could apply to my own life.
Through meditation, I continue to learn what an internal state of freedom feels like. I experience deepening levels of freedom that come with self-responsibility and internal peace, all while living a seemingly normal day-to-day life.
I’ve learned I can choose freedom.
Jacqueline // November 21st, 2016
This post is based on a recent class taught by Scott Robinson
So we find ourselves in a time of great change. Perhaps great stress. Great intensity. But you need to know, the effects of the U.S. election do not need to determine how you feel inside. Or how your spiritual path unfolds.
If you choose to be conscious, you are in charge of your reality no matter what is going on around you. You can live in a state of brightness and freedom. But you have to choose it, otherwise you are at the mercy of external forces.
The Buddha lived during a period of intense political unrest and violence in India. Not only did he find his own personal transcendence during this time, but he created a practice that has helped countless others transcend; a practice that is still going strong 2000 years later.
Tibetan monks continued to choose consciousness and spiritual freedom even when Chinese invaders overwhelmed their country, killing untold numbers and destroying 6,000 monasteries.
And consider that Nelson Mandela emerged from 20 years of imprisonment and hard labour, a brighter, freer, more conscious being.
Human beings are powerful. You can create what you want to create. But a bright, conscious existence must be chosen. You won’t fall into it accidentally.
The great news is, the initial steps to taking charge of your reality are simple. As you go about your day-to-day existence, are you bringing light into the world? Or are you participating in darkness?
Participating in darkness can happen so easily. Like being competitive with a colleague at work. Taking out your frustrations on your spouse. Angry annoyance at someone on the bus. Judging someone who has a different view than you. Immersing yourself in news coverage that gets your blood boiling. Posting charged comments on social media.
If you are aware of some of your own dark behaviours right now, don’t freak out. Don’t judge yourself. Just start to make different choices.
Meditation really helps with this. It is a very real, very powerful way to bring lightness and consciousness into your life. It can help you through life’s ups and downs; even your darkest moments.
Now more than ever before, with so many global challenges facing us, it will be important for you – for everyone – to have a way to process stress and live in a state of light.
Whatever your way is, find it. Choose it.
Julia T. // July 25th, 2016
The great thing about meditation is that it is a proactive thing you can do when stress starts to creep in.
What was once just “stress” has become a chance for me to learn more about myself. Now when I feel stressed, I ask myself what is at the root cause, and I meditate to release it. It works!
Meditation has not erased stress from my life completely. Even on days when I have long meditations, occasionally I can still be found fretting over some tiny detail, and forgetting to stop and smell the roses. So although I can safely say I am not immune to stress, meditation has definitely decreased my daily stress dramatically.
Instead of feeling like a victim, I’m in charge.
Darci R. // June 15th, 2016
As a nurse, helping patients through loss and grief is essential to my job. Becoming more neutral with the losses I’ve experienced in my own life has allowed me to assist others with theirs.
Meditation has allowed me to release my own grief in a simple and clean way, without drama. This has allowed me to grow; to evolve personally and professionally.
So I can really say my meditation practice helps me do my job effectively.
I can be there for others in their most challenging times. I can be more present and supportive because I’m not carrying the weight of my own losses around with me.
This is just one way meditation is a lifesaver.
Denis P. // May 10th, 2016
I grew up watching a lot of TV. I’d watch anything that was on – from the news and documentaries, to cartoons and movies. TV was the focal point of our family and we spent pretty much all of our time together just staring at the screen.
There was very little, if any, restriction from my parents on what I was allowed to watch or how much time I spent watching. They thought it was great I showed interest in world news and nature shows.
When I first started meditating, I still watched TV regularly. But then with time, the more I meditated, the more I realized that TV (and all other media) are just a distraction.
Meditation has helped me bring my focus back to what is really important: me.
Denis P. // February 12th, 2016
I work in a very dynamic and competitive industry. I always have many projects happening at the same time. The priorities change frequently with a fast-moving market, and there is an ever-present pressure to launch new products and services before the competition.
Before I started meditating work could feel overwhelming and at times, out of control. It consumed most of my energy. At the end of the day I’d feel depleted.
Meditation helps me release all that pressure and stress, and keeps me more focused. It helps me see the bigger picture, so I don’t spend much time worrying about small details. Meditation also brings structure to my day, which enables me to use my time more efficiently.
Tiffany // September 23rd, 2015
The fall can feel like a new year – the freshness in the air, kids returning to school and an overall sense of possibility. Here are three great reasons to take advantage of the season and learn to meditate.
#1: Improved Focus
Picture this: you’re at work on the computer or reading at home and suddenly you notice you’ve become completely distracted. Bingo – these are classic examples of when meditation can help.
Why? Well, like doing anything – sports, music or cooking – skills get better with practice. Meditation teaches you how to direct and redirect your attention on demand. With practice, the mind can overrule tendencies to become distracted, more of the time.
Replicate this in your home or work environment and say hello to a greater focus, potential for increased productivity and ultimately more control over what you think.
#2: More Energy for Life
According to the Journal of Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, mindfulness-based techniques – which can include seated and walking meditations, as well as mindful eating and yoga – correlate with structural changes in the brain known to play a key role in the stress response.
Two separate studies found that after only four months of practice, participants who learned to meditate had lower levels of stress hormones compared to non-meditators.
Similar research from the Centre for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School confirms that learning to meditate improves the ability to cope with stressful situations and leads to increased relaxation, greater energy and more enthusiasm for life.
#3: Personal Time
For many of us, as parents and professionals, we’re often facilitating new experiences for others. But when was the last time you signed up for a class or workshop that’s just for you?
Maybe now’s the time. Taking a meditation class is a great way have quality time for you.
Lightwork is a Vancouver-based meditation centre geared at training western minds to learn to meditate through simple, step-by-step instruction.
Check out our roster of fall Lightwork Level 1 classes – and keep in mind, more classes are added all the time.
Darci R. // June 9th, 2015
Since I started meditating, I’m much more present in all areas of my life — whether I’m at work, play or rest.
I began to understand the power of presence in nursing school. When I was really present in my interactions with patients, I could see a therapeutic impact. Just the act of of sitting down with them and deeply hearing them assisted their healing.
Sometimes they needed less pain medication. They ate more. They were often more willing to spend time sitting up in a chair, rather than lying in bed.
The impact of being present with patients outweighs the pressure to speed through my task list – even though some days I’m so run off my feet I’m lucky to get a quick break.
I apply the power of presence beyond my work. I am now more awake, aware and present for life’s daily activities. Even the smallest thing — brushing my hair, sweeping the floor or watering my plants — is filled with light and enjoyment when I am present for it.
And when I am in relaxation mode I can truly have that experience. I’m not drifting to the past or thinking about what the future may hold.
I can just be.
Julia T. // February 2nd, 2015
One thing I wish everyone could know about meditation is it can really change your life.
Not in a new-years-resolution-you-let-slide kind of way. But in a real, long lasting sense.
Meditation enables you to get to the core of your issues, where real change happens. It is one thing to know you have an unhelpful coping mechanism, but another to be able to let it go…and to let it go with ease.
Mediation can really help with this, making lasting change easily. The ways I have changed since beginning to meditate are among the reasons I am most grateful to have a meditation practice.
