Adjustments

I realized something today as I was thinking about how it's only been a week and I can't keep up with posting all these mantras every day. I said to myself, "Self, you'd better get busy! You're slackin'! Don't you see that you need to stay on top of these mantras, so that every day you can release all the stress that builds up from the pressures coming your way?"

"Wait     a      min-ute....."

So, here's the new deal. I will continue to post mantras, and I'll do them DAY 1, DAY 2, etc. But it may take a while to get to a week, month and so forth. I imagine that this blog won't be found by most (if any) until I have a good amount already up. Hopefully, it will be a satisfactory collection for you by then.

Week 1 Day 4 (B)

Alma 5:28
"Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life."

Week 1 Day 4 (A)

Today's Mantra

THIS DAY IS THE TIME TO PREPARE TO MEET GOD

Don't wanna wait 'til tomorrow
Why put it off another day?
One by one, little problems
Build up, and stand in our way. Oh

One step ahead, one step behind it
Now ya gotta run to get even
Make future plans I'll dream about yesterday, hey!
Come on turn, turn this thing around

(Right now) Hey! It's your tomorrow
(Right now) Come on, it's everything
(Right now) Catch your magic moment
Do it right here and now
It means everything

Van Halen, Right Now

In a blog fog

So it turns out that I have an inner ear infection. Nice timing! It's no wonder that I was so distracted during meditation. I'm glad to discover this, because I was beginning to think "Nirvana" consisted of constant high-pitched humming in my ear, dizziness and an overall feeling of being "spaced out." If I want to do that, I'll turn on Sponge Bob!

I have been a slacker and missed today's mantra and thought. But I will get it up shortly, and you won't be able to tell the difference (unless you have been following in real time, and there aren't any of you who do, so no loss).

By the way, I have to give major kudos to my spouse. They have been supportive and willing to participate in this experiment. Just so the world knows, I love you! Thank you for being there. Always.

Week 1 Day 3 (B)

“The Light is more than some abstract, unknowable energy force. Light is Truth. If Light is truth, then darkness must be lies. Each and every lie we tell to ourselves and others casts the shadow of separation upon us. Every time even the most minor deception is revealed and the truth is made known we are re-united with the Light. So, Let there be Light. Those are the words by which you can create your own magnificent world.”

Renee Bledsoe, Addiction Alchemy

Week 1 Day 3 (A)

Today's Mantra

IF MY EYE IS SINGLE, MY BODY IS LIGHT.

Alma 5:15

Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the the mortal body"?

Week 1 Day 2 (B)

Helaman 14:29

"And this to the intent that whosoever will believe might be saved, and that whosoever will not believe, a righteous judgment might come upon them; and also if they are condemned they bring upon themselves their own condemnation."

Week 1 Day 2 (A)

Today's Mantra

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.

"A man contains all that is needful to his government within himself...All real good or evil that can befall him must be from himself...There is a correspondence between the human soul and everything that exists in the world; more properly, everything that is known to man. Instead of studying things without, the principles of them all may be penetrated into from within him...The purpose of life seems to be to acquaint man with himself...The highest revelation is that God is in every man."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Journal, 1833

Learn by experience

I've only done one mantra this morning (with my significant other) and have already learned quite a bit. I'm obviously new at this so I imagine it will take some tweaking to get it working smoothly. Lucky you... get to learn from my experience (if you want).

What's going to work for me might not work for you

I shared the thought with my mate this morning then gave the mantra (THE LEAST SHALL BE THE GREATEST). They gave me some good feedback... mostly that it didn't help them feel at peace, more like they were feeling insufficient. And to top that off, there was a question as to what was at the root of the mantra. "I want to be great, so I'll be the least...but still, I want to be great." That paradox wasn't quite working, and I can see why. I'll work on making the mantras more "inspiring." If, however, you are participating in this exercise with me, and a mantra doesn't ring your bell, then feel free to replace it with your own (and then maybe share with me what it is).

Distractions, distractions!

As I did the mantra this morning, I noticed equipment noises outside, kids running around the house looking for Mom and Dad, but most distracting of all? MY STOMACH GROWLING! I think tomorrow I'll try turning on a water feature to dull the distracting noises. If that doesn't work, I'll get some soft music in the background.

Cadence

I can see why most mantras are done in Sanskrit. As I breath in and out (especially at the beginning), I tend to attach parts of the mantra to in inhale, and parts to the exhale. If there is no natural break, or it doesn't fit well, then it ends up feeling forced, and counterproductive. Again, more thought needs to go into it. I'm learning!

Health

Having my head stuffed up certainly does not make things easier. Is some work at force trying to stop me from doing this? It almost succeeded. Almost....

Week 1 Day 1 (B)

It was pride that changed angels into devils' it is humility that makes men as angels.
Saint Augustine

Week 1 Day 1 (A)

Today's Mantra

THE LEAST ARE THE GREATEST

Mark 10:17-23 (emphasis and commentary added)

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (The Son of God would NOT take any credit at all!)

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches (or in other words, our idols... distractions created by our own hands) enter into the kingdom of God!

Here we go.

Sometimes as I'm walking somewhere, for no good reason I'll look down to see what rocks lay about. Without fail, almost every time there is one within my view that is interesting. As I pick it up, I will think, "I'm sure this is the first time human hands have touched this rock. And yet there it is, sitting  in all it's loveliness, having sat for eons waiting to share with me." I enjoy the colors, the textures, the shapes and weight in my hand of a good rock. And even if it is dull on the outside, a little spit and rub on my jeans and it's good to go. I don't collect these rocks, because if I did, there would be a pile ten feet deep in my basement. Besides, there is always another rock just waiting to be discovered.

Let's face it, no one is reading this, and chances are it will go by unnoticed. This will be like a little rock that just sits there. You know what, that's perfectly great. I'd prefer it remain that way. My experience, though, is that the human race (and everything on the earth, for that matter) is so interconnected, that there will be some who stumble upon the this blog and find it useful. If so, God bless you in your journey. If it is anything like mine, there is wonder at every turn.

My plan is to start posting these mantras and thoughts next week, along with a personal experience here and there (explaining why I'm doing this in the first place). I'm a newbie to this stuff, so it will be a fun ride, I'm sure. I will also begin my prayer/mantra experience in earnest at that time. It's so nice to be able to procrastinate (I'm a master at that for sure).