Total Meditation

1. Consciousness is the foundation of all experience

You are only as safe as you feel.

Consciousness creates reality. Our experience of the world, including our sense of safety and security, arises from consciousness itself. What we perceive as "real" is a projection of our awareness. This means that by shifting our consciousness, we can fundamentally transform our lived experience.

Infinite potential lies within. Pure consciousness contains the potential for all possibilities. When we connect to this infinite source through meditation and mindfulness, we tap into a wellspring of creativity, insight, and transformative power. The goal is to recognize that we are not separate from this universal consciousness, but expressions of it.

Key aspects of consciousness:

• It is the source of all experience and perception
• It contains infinite creative potential
• It is inherently peaceful, joyful, and free
• Connecting to it transforms our lived reality
• We are expressions of universal consciousness

2. Total meditation integrates awareness into everyday life

Your life is your meditation.

Meditation is not separate from life. Rather than viewing meditation as an isolated practice, total meditation involves bringing heightened awareness to every moment and activity. This allows us to access deeper states of consciousness throughout our day.

Everyday experiences become portals. By approaching daily life with meditative awareness, mundane activities become opportunities for spiritual insight and growth. Something as simple as washing dishes or walking can be a profound meditation when done with full presence. The key is cultivating moment-to-moment awareness.

Practices for total meditation:

• Pause frequently to center yourself and breathe consciously
• Practice mindfulness during routine activities
• Notice thoughts and emotions without attaching to them
• Bring curiosity and presence to interactions with others
• See challenging situations as opportunities for growth
• Regularly reflect on your state of consciousness

3. The bodymind is a unified system of consciousness

You are not your brain.

Mind and body are one. Rather than separate systems, the mind and body form an integrated whole that expresses consciousness. Mental states affect the body, and physical conditions influence the mind. Understanding this interconnection is key to holistic wellbeing.

Healing happens holistically. When we recognize the bodymind as a unified field of consciousness, we open up new possibilities for healing and transformation. Physical symptoms often have emotional roots, while shifting our mental state can promote physiological changes. True healing addresses the whole system.

Key aspects of the bodymind:

• Mental and physical states are interconnected
• Emotions manifest as bodily sensations
• Chronic stress affects both mind and body
• Healing involves addressing root causes on multiple levels
• Practices like yoga and tai chi work with the mind-body connection
• Our state of consciousness affects our overall health and wellbeing

4. Getting unstuck requires transcending the ego

"I" is the problem and therefore can never be the solution.

The ego creates limitation. Our sense of separate self, or ego, is the source of most human suffering and stuckness. It creates a false sense of division from others and the world. Transcending the ego allows us to access our true nature as pure awareness.

Letting go of old stories. Getting unstuck involves releasing the limiting beliefs, grudges, and fixed ideas about ourselves that the ego clings to. As we learn to dis-identify from our thoughts and emotions, we create space for new possibilities to emerge. This process requires patience and self-compassion.

Practices for transcending ego:

• Notice egoic thoughts without identifying with them
• Cultivate witness consciousness through meditation
• Practice forgiveness and letting go of resentments
• Question limiting beliefs about yourself and reality
• Nurture qualities like humility, compassion, and openness
• Regularly inquire "Who am I?" to recognize your true nature

5. Self-empowerment comes from aligning with consciousness

Consciousness knows us better than we know ourselves.

True power is inherent. Rather than something we need to acquire, real power comes from aligning with the infinite potential of consciousness itself. As we connect to our true nature, we naturally access greater creativity, wisdom, and capability.

Co-creating with the universe. When we attune to the flow of consciousness, we become active participants in the creative unfolding of reality. This allows us to manifest our desires and live with greater purpose and fulfillment. The key is surrendering the ego's need for control.

Practices for self-empowerment:

• Regularly connect to your deepest values and intentions
• Trust your intuition and inner guidance
• Take inspired action in alignment with your purpose
• Cultivate gratitude for the support of the universe
• Release attachment to specific outcomes
• Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth
• Recognize the inherent power of your true nature

6. Waking up is a gradual process of expanding awareness

To be aware is to notice something you didn't notice before.

Awakening unfolds in stages. Rather than a sudden event, spiritual awakening is typically a gradual process of expanding consciousness. We progressively become aware of deeper levels of reality and our true nature. This journey involves both breakthroughs and integration.

Everyday life as spiritual practice. Each moment offers an opportunity to wake up a little more. By bringing curiosity and presence to our experiences, we can recognize the extraordinary within the ordinary. Over time, this cultivates a more expansive and liberated state of being.

Milestones in the awakening process:

• Recognizing thoughts and emotions as transient experiences
• Glimpsing your true nature beyond the ego
• Experiencing profound interconnectedness with all of life
• Accessing states of flow, presence, and timelessness
• Embodying qualities like compassion, wisdom, and equanimity
• Living from a place of spontaneity and non-attachment

7. Insights and mantras can accelerate spiritual growth

Insight can be defined as a moment when you ask for the truth and it is given to you.

Cultivating receptivity to wisdom. By regularly seeking insights through contemplation and inquiry, we open ourselves to deeper understanding. This involves asking powerful questions and creating space to receive answers from our higher wisdom.

Mantras vibrate consciousness. Sacred sounds and phrases can serve as powerful tools for shifting our state of consciousness. By repeating mantras, we attune ourselves to specific qualities or energies, accelerating our spiritual evolution. The key is finding mantras that resonate with us personally.

Practices for gaining insight:

• Regularly journal on important life questions
• Meditate on paradoxes or koans
• Seek wisdom from trusted teachers and mentors
• Pay attention to synchronicities and "coincidences"
• Create space for stillness and receptivity in your day
• Experiment with different mantras and sacred sounds
• Reflect on how insights and mantras affect your consciousness

Last updated: September 23, 2024