Mapping the Inner Journey

Journaling as Meditation

A powerful OM today. Connecting heaven and earth. ~j

Of the countless forms of meditation we can use, journaling offers its own unique benefits. Most meditations help empty the mind of concerns and bring positive ideas from our mental landscape, but journaling helps us anchor that experience in the material world. Not every person is attracted to meditating in seated silence, and journal meditation is a nice alternative as an active meditation. It allows us to trace our journey and see where we have grown and what lessons we may be repeating. By employing a different part of the brain than creative or inspired thought, writing or typing a journal can create a greater sense of connection and union with our physical selves and the world around us.

In working through challenges, it can be helpful to first empty all worries from our heads onto the safe pages of our journal. Fears can be brought to light rather than allowing them to haunt the dark corners of our subconscious. We may even feel heaviness dissipate once our heads are free from clutter, leaving space for inspiration and the creation of positive images in their place. Often in the process of writing out all the details of an event that troubles us, something that had been forgotten will come to the surface, providing a missing piece of the puzzle. Then we can truly begin to come up with answers, and write them down beside the worries to map the way from concern to constructive thought.

For capturing guidance and flashes of inspiration, journaling is ideal. This is especially true in the case of dreams, which often fade as we awaken. While working toward goals, keeping track of progress as well as guidance from readings or divination tools can be encouraging. Though it can be difficult to keep all of our guidance in the front of our minds, if we write it down it can serve as a reminder whenever we need it. We can also use our journals to converse with our higher selves or even the universe. Journaling offers yet another way to unburden mind and spirit, while also creating a record of the present and preserving our hopes and dreams for the future.

"We have the capacity to consciously evaluate our responses to environmental stimuli
and
change old responses any time we desire...
once we deal with the powerful subconscious mind.
We are not stuck with our genes or our self-defeating behavior!"

~Bruce Lipton, Ph.D., author of The Biology of Belief

Hey gang!

I know that I have been MIA with the commentary lately. That facebook thing is so fast and available. But I feel that there is such a shift rising on the swell that I will be spending more time here. So thanks for your patience!

Everything is in a constant state of change. Making a conscious change includes the whole package the physical and mental/emotional/spiritual. Changing your lifestyle for good is about consistency.

• A dishonest yes to someone else is a no to yourself (Byron Katie). Be true to yourself or at least start learning what that means. Take care of yourself because if you are sick, weak or otherwise distracted in the past or the future, you can't be present in your life. Don't miss out!
• Share and extra ordinary action or a kind word with those that are part of your sacred circle, family, loved ones, your peeps, pals or just best buds.
• Find your integrity in your community, even with those that you don't know. Our celebrity examples are certainly showing us what not to do! We are all connected in this life and when you dishonor yourself you dishonor others and vice versa.

Keep it real.

With a grateful heart and a vital force! ~j