Day 1 : 21-Day Meditation Challenge

Today I received the first email and meditation from the Chopra Centre as part of my attendance (online) in the current 21-Day Meditation Challenge. 

Always a joy.  Such a priviledge to have these resources available across the globe, in fact I read somewhere this week that an estimated 1 million people are expected to join in this challenge! For me tonight .. dinner finished, house quiet .. time to meditate.  And so beautiful to hear Deepak's voice again, and the polished production and content is always exceptional.

"One day of meditation is beneficial .. meditating every day through life is miraculous"

The theme of this Challenge is LOVE .. and tonights meditation was the inspiring Hindu mantra SO HUM .. which I have heard described as the breath song. 

"When said mentally without even whispering it, not moving tongue or lips .. this is indeed the sound of our breathing .. SO HUM"

If you are seeking some nourishment for your meditation practice or perhaps are completely new to the practice of meditation, then this might be the ideal time to jump in.  The quality of information, guidance and support provided by the Chopra Centre is well known, and just having permission to take a moment each day to stop, breath and be still .. is priceless.

I hope to share some of the insights gained over the next few weeks .. but probably not every day .. we shall see. 

21-Day Meditation Challenge link here

21-Day Meditation Challenge

Join me!

The Chopra Center is running another free 21-Day Meditation Challenge starting Monday, July 16 .. I have previously participated in two of these challenges which provide a wonderful insight into different meditation practices, teachers and voices .. an opportunity to nourish and inspire your own meditation practice.

I have in the past especially enjoyed the meditations guided by Davidji who has that profound ability to share deep insights and gentle wisdom within each guided meditation.

The theme for this challenge is "Free to Love" and every day .. for 21 days .. there will be a guided meditation that you can download, along with practical tips and an online community participation program.

The Challenge is FREE .. coming to you all the way from the 'sweetspot of the Universe' (The Chopra Centre) and you just sign-up online here.

I will let you know how things progress .. and look forward to hearing your thoughts as well.

21 Day Meditation Challenge : Chopra Centre

Last August (2010) I really enjoyed participating in the Chopra Centre 21Day Meditation Challenge .. just last week I headed down to the beach (enjoying the final moments of our indian summer) and took some time to stop and listened to one of the guided meditations on my iPod. davidji is the senior meditation instructor at the Chopra Centre and he has a truly beautiful presence .. it was like visiting a friend again ..

If you are seeking some ongoing meditation instruction .. within the privacy of your home and internet connection .. then the Spring 21Day Meditation Challenge is about to begin again .. TOMORROW Monday 11th April 2011. If you have done this challenge before .. then rest assured there are new meditations and new presenters this time around. And if you miss the start date .. dont stress, you can start at any time throughout the 21 days.
Spring 21Day Meditation Challenge with the Chopra Centre
"Join us over the coming days for a powerful journey that will change your life. Guided by master meditation teacher and dean of Chopra Center University – davidji and other master teachers – you will learn practical techniques for becoming more calm, centered, and happy – even in the midst of life's inevitable pressures and stress."
I am signed up .. you can join us here

Chopra 21-Day Meditation Challenge

In the August Quiet Mind e-newsletter I wrote about my decision to commit to a new practice/goal/habit every month. And recently I had been reading about Sādhanā - a Sanskrit word that means spiritual exertion towards an intended goal .. a "means of accomplishing something". I can only assume there is something in the 'almost Spring air' because I also had recently also written about the Reiki Principle 'Just For Today' which is also about committing to something (a new practice, belief or habit) 'just for today' .. taking the pressure off having to commit forever. Simply doing it now without planting ourselves too far into the future.

I decided after a very successful personal commitment in July that I really enjoyed .. that for the remainder of this year I would like to explore a new Sādhanā each month (a one month commitment). And then suddenly my Sādhanā for August arrived unexpectedly into my inbox .. an email from the Chopra Center and an invitation to join their 21-day Meditation Challenge. While I practice meditation in some way every day .. I have found that I have become lazy with my morning practice .. something about Melbourne's cold winter mornings or perhaps now working freelance.

Along with a worldwide community of participants I have committed to a renewed daily morning meditation practice. The Chopra Center will provide a daily meditation, support and guidance, some new techniques and tips and shared experiences.

I received my first Chopra Meditation this afternoon (given time differences) and I am going to start tomorrow morning .. first thing .. with the rising of the sun .. a new day full of 'infinite possibilities' ..

Thank you Deepak

Thank you Deepak Chopra.

Last night I had the opportunity to spend an evening with Deepak Chopra. This was the only Melbourne lecture on a busy three city stop across Australia (Sydney was last Saturday and Brisbane next Tuesday), and despite the travel, media interviews and constant books signings (yes I did get my book signed!) Deepak was the picture of vitality and calmness as he shared his passion and wisdom during a three hour presentation. The author of more than 45 books, world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body healing, and founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing .. Deepak is also a physician, endocrinologist, husband and father; and noted by Time magazine as a twentieth century icon, 'poet-prophet of alternative medicine'.

Nothing was more perfect than listening to the 'poet' in Deepak as we took our seats to the soundscape of Rumi in the beautiful Hamer Hall. "A Gift of Love" is Deepak's celebrated musical tribute to the love poems of Rumi (13th century poet and founder of the Whirling Dervishes of Sufism) and his voice, alongside a wealth of celebrities including Madonna, Demi Moore and Robert A.F.Thurman, filled the room .. a perfect introduction to a very engaging and thought-provoking night.

For the last 40 years scientific research in the field of health has focused on stress and its negative impact on our wellbeing. Australia is not alone in witnessing soaring health budgets and alarming increases in depression, suicide, illness and dis-engagement. We are at the point now where we are being forced to change our perspective and embrace a more enlightened understanding of mind-body interdependence. 'Superstition of materialism' (our constant striving for more 'stuff') is only leading us to more loneliness, separation and dis-ease. In recent years Deepak has been participating in world forums and scientific conventions based on research into the impact of happiness .. understanding how happiness shapes our body, our mind and our world!

For thousands of years, across ancient cultures and tribes, there have been sages, mystics and yogis 'knowing' that the body and mind are one, and finally western science is recognising that the human body is created out of consciousness .. and consciousness is where healing must start.

"Curving back within myself I create the world around me..." The Bhagavad Gita

Deepak spoke of his own experiences in medicine (his specialisation is neuro endocrinology) and current research supporting that the immune system is in reality a 'circulating nervous system'. That the human body embodies and embraces the mind's thoughts and emotions, so that they cannot be separated from the body that produce them and thus are inextricably related to our health and wellness. As our mind is constantly conversing with our body, in a sense 'eavesdropping' on the constant flow of thoughts and beliefs .. our immune cells are listening, retaining 'memory', even making choices on how to behave, based on our deeply held thoughts.

“We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust” Rumi

Deepak is seriously intellectual and a brilliant speaker, he seeks to imagine a more healing, loving and compassionate world. He would be an ideal dinner party guest .. bringing deep insights, touches of humour and personal antidotes, peppered with inspiring words from some of the worlds great thinkers. The Happiness Formula and the upcoming release of the Wellbeing Study (with Gallup) I shall detail later .. the more complex scientific theory of matter, quantum theory, discontinuity and the field of immeasurable potential, and entanglement, is best read and contemplated from one of Deepak's books. Perhaps a reflection of how well supported his books are .. last night I was unable to purchase his new book Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul .. because the entire stock of the night was sold within an hour!

Deepak's model for health and wellness is one that promotes greater self-reliance and self-awareness, knowing that we have a choice on how we live our life, and that our consciousness creates our reality. As many wise beings have spoken before.. when we live connected to love, joyfulness, peace of mind and loving kindness ~ Life is better!

".. why do you worry? You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul.” Rumi

Important note : a big thank you Adam for providing me with the opportunity to meet Deepak and attend last night. You have been on my Gratitude List all week! In the Happiness Formula we know that the fastest way to find happiness is to make someone else happy .. and this was your gift to me. thank you.

Find out more about Adam Plack (http://www.adamplackmusic.com) .. inspiring musician, film and tv composer and co founder of the New York based Rasa Music Record Label .. albums include the self-titled 'Nomad' based on time spent living in Arnhem land .. and the two collaborations with Deepak Chopra “A Gift of Love: Music Inspired by the Love Poems of Rumi” and follow-up album “A Gift of Love II: Oceans of Ecstasy”. Adam is now living in Los Angeles .. but comes home to Australia when time permits.