21 Apr If we want to live better, we need to listen better~
I started first as a journaler when it came to mindfulness practices—writing down what was on my mind first thing in the morning. October 26, 2010. It’s been one of the greatest gifts of my life.
It helped me to understand myself so much better and changed how I lived.
I’ve become so much more aware of all the things floating around in my head—the stresses that bind me tight and what’s on my heart and scurrying through my mind. It’s like having a 20-minute morning massage- it’s so restorative for me.
The scientific evidence for the mental and physical benefits of journaling is astounding. (Check out James Pennebaker’s research on journaling)
Over the last couple of years, I knew I needed—and wanted—to learn how to meditate.
That’s the ‘listening’ I wanted to understand more about.
I laugh, thinking about it. It felt like the cold plunge after a hot tub. The idea felt… well, revolting. It’s one thing to will yourself to sit and just be, but horrifying to discover that your brain, speaking for myself, is a torrent of rushing thoughts, mostly scattered and ridiculous:
I shouldn’t have eaten that yesterday.
I can’t forget to email that client.
I should raise my prices.
No, I shouldn’t.
Who do you think you are?
Are my wrinkles too noticeable?
Should I wear a sweater or that blouse?
Why did that person do that?
I better…
And that’s just the first second of my thoughts.
How do you even endure five minutes, let alone fifteen, of that non-stop mental bombardment?
I started listening to guided meditations—here’s some if you’re interested, as I now write my own and have posted a few here:
| https://insighttimer.com/leonadevinne/guided-meditations/let-love-lead |
Then I did a course online.
It was deeply philosophical (which I am… not). I explored different schools of thought on meditating, read a book on ancient shamanic teachings, and discovered something that clicked:
A drumbeat at a specific rhythm can affect your brainwaves, allowing for deeper focus and attunement. SIGN ME UP!
And yay, neuroscience.
It helps you drop you into a deeper state, beneath the onslaught of thoughts. Deeper ‘listening’. I needed this.
The other game-changer of this suggested practice?
Lie down.
I was down for that. Literally.
No more “good girl” upright postures.
Just flop on the floor.
As a semi-professional 20-minute daily napper, this was something I could get behind.
The big shift was to set an intention—a question or consider an area you want deeper insight into.
Rather than, in many meditation traditions, where you simply come back to your breath, in this case, you come back to your intention.
So I tried it.
I lay down, blanket and heating pad in place (if I am doing this, I am doing it right).
I set an intention. I don’t even remember what it was—mostly it’s been since then, something like:
What do I need to be aware of today?
What’s next?
How can I…?
And from there, I’d receive greater insight.
Greater clarity.
I’d find deep wisdom there, I would know what to do or say- I find my voice in my meditations.
And when my grocery list popped up, or wrinkle concerns, or my grade one teacher (who knows why)—I’d come back to the intention.
Always, I’d come out of the meditation with more than I started with.
Always.
I started with 15-minute drum meditations.
Now, some days I meditate for over an hour with different music. You can find my meditation tracks on Youtube music if you’re interested.
It has helped me connect with a current I might never have accessed otherwise.
This inner voice—my intuition—has created a more grounded, more profound awareness. It’s anchored me to what’s essential. How I spend my time. To know how I speak up, and when.
It’s shaped how I live, lead, and run my business.
I now look forward to meditation.
I even will have friends ask me to meditate over something that is showing up for them, and they ask me to share with them what deeper insights surface. It is so profound. I am speechless as to wht shows up and when I ask them for how true the insights felt they share it was what they needed-a deep truth they couldnt access on their own.
I receive what I call divine downloads, intuitive hits, or, in more mainstream language, deeper insights that come to the surface.
In a meditation in January, where I devoted a good part of a day to ‘listening’ it led me to something unexpected:
To host a monthly reflective session for women.
A space to rest, reflect, reset, and restore.
It’s a mix of guided meditation, journaling, and intentional listening.
(And if it ends in a nap—even better.)
There’s no pressure to do.
Just a place to be.
To reconnect.
Even the name became very clear in the meditaion—The Womb—which I have to admit, felt weird at first, and I have a phobia of being too weird.
And yet here we are :).
At first, I didn’t love it. But it was clear- call it the Womb~
A restful place where nothing is required.
Only nourishment, stillness, and quiet receiving.
If you’re curious, I’d love to have you join us:
This Sunday, April 27 at 1 PM MT. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1eLDJsdCS0-e7GieISukFQ
Can’t make it live? You’ll get the recording, and you can listen in bite-sized pieces if that feels more doable.
💛 I also have a few spots left for my upcoming Free to Be Me retreat on May 3 in Calgary.
Registration closes April 29. https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/BFKAMJKJCAB22
Hit reply if you have questions, or invite a friend and receive a discount.
You’ll be glad you did.
I’d love to hear about your meditation journey? Are you in or out, or sitting on the fence?
Lots of love~ I am so grateful to have you in my world 🙂
— Leona
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