Not Down With the Woo Woo?

When I first became interested in personal development and spirituality, I often got irritated because I couldn’t figure out how to apply the ideas practically. I’d think, that’s easy for you to say, those are just ideas and words, it’s easy for you, but I can’t quite get it and it’s not working for me.

Initially it was all woo woo jibber jabber to me.

It was all abstract, nebulous…create space, stay in the present moment, you have to believe it before you’ll see it, you spot it you’ve got it, forgiveness sets you free, the kingdom of heaven is within, this world/reality is maya, a dream, illusory. You have to remove all barriers to love. The law of attraction, mind over matter, would you rather be right, or would you rather be happy, the list goes on.

The practice that’s helped me the most is quiet, solitude and mindfulness/meditation.

That’s the only way to be able to hear your true self, the one who is the observer, the one who can watch the thoughts go by, the spirit, not the personality, not the body. In the stillness your connection to the truth, the universal loving energy is most clear.

When I don’t practice quiet, solitude and meditate, my life tends to become unruly.

The next practice that’s helped me most is journaling. That’s how I got to know myself better and work through layers of baggage. During times of transition and turmoil, journaling slices through to the heart of what’s really going on. I gain clarity and awareness through journaling. All that unconsious, subconscious stuff gets unearthed and purged.

The third practice has been learning to stop and take inventory when I get upset, anxious or afraid. I question my perceptions, asking myself first, how important is this? And I take deep breaths, lol.

Then I ask, how can I view this in a different way that feels better? Where’s my power in this situation, what’s truly within my control?

What solution brings the most peace and relief? And am I upset because of this, or am I projecting unforgiven baggage from the past? Am I stuck in a repetitive loop of grievances? Is this really helping? What would really be helpful?

And lastly I tell myself, just do your best and make it through today or even just this moment. It’s not the end of the world 🙂 And then I think of all of that I have to be grateful for and validate myself by looking at all I’ve been through and how far I’ve come.

Then I conclude that it’s all worked out thus far, so why sweat it now? Whatever happens I am well equipped to handle it 🙂

And yes, this is all a dream, everything is transitory, the only thing that lasts is that loving energy, our true eternal selves. So why not always do what’s most loving of yourself? Forgive yourself, keep doing your best and forgive others while you’re at it, realizing that we’re all doing our best and keep passing it on until there’s nothing left to forgive, all that’s left is love 🙂