"The natural world takes a break, animals slow down for great rest, trees and plants go dormant, yet, somehow, us humans just keep hustling and bustling, as if our busyness is what defines us."
The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is a time of great darkness, with the promise of the light to come. The natural world takes a break, animals slow down for great rest, trees and plants go dormant, yet, somehow, us humans just keep hustling and bustling, as if our busyness is what defines us. We stack up our plates with projects, shopping, planning, and last minute activities, expecting these things to bring meaning to our lives. The truth is, our lives already have meaning, we don't have to seek it. Simply being a part of all that exists gives us oneness with all of creation. During a moment of intense clarity in my daily meditation, I was given this phrase "I aspire to nothing", and all of my holographic, self-induced goals evaporated and I was left with a great sense of calmness, a connection to the present moment. As I sat with this phrase, I wrote these words, so that I might better understand how this seemingly counter-intuitive thought process might better serve me than the busyness so many of us have become accustomed to.
I Aspire to Nothing- A Winter Solstice Meditation
Find a quiet space and ease into a comfortable position. Close your eyes and let your focus come to your breath. Spend a few moments with the sounds and feelings of the present moment. Release your calendar, to-do lists, past reflection, and future goals. Simply use this time to be.
As we come to this moment of darkness, this passing of a season and the promise of light, we often find ourselves looking towards the future, planning, focusing, easing our way forward. While setting goals appears to others as intelligent, thoughtful, and motivated, it is still just looking forward to the future, or reflecting on the past, taking us out of the present moment. Say this softly to yourself
"I aspire to nothing"
Let this phrase sit with you for a moment. Repeat it. Let it massage you. Release every aspiration for your future and relax into the moment. Breathe. Let go. With each breath sink more deeply into your self, with the understanding that you and the universe are not separate. While time shifts around us, we are a part of the creation that brought us here. Our futures do not require planning. They do not require achievement. They do not require us to worry, fear, or doubt how our journey unfolds. It will unfold as a series of moments we can simply be present for.
"I aspire to nothing"
Kindness lies within our hearts. We do not need to seek it, prove it, or consciously engage it. It lives there every moment. We do not need to try and be "better", we can simply just be. Every life is equal parts joy and sorrow, hope and sadness, pleasure and pain. We are not different than all that is in balance with God, we do not require forward motion to experience all the wonders of being human, they already exist for us.
"I aspire to nothing"
We practice for the sake of practice, work for the service of work, socialize for the joy of interaction, and rest often, both body and mind. We do not need to force ourselves to evolve, we are always evolving. These things we seek are on our path, we do not need to reach for them. Our egos seek to be recognized by others, but our True Self is recognized by all, without the desire for attention or pride, it is simply one with everything that exists.
"I aspire to nothing"
Can we trust the moment? If we become mindful of our aspirations and let them go, we are able to continue on life's journey with a content heart, a love of self and others, and a sense of peace every moment. You already have this gift. Open it. Share it. Awaken it.
I Aspire to Nothing- A Winter Solstice Meditation
Find a quiet space and ease into a comfortable position. Close your eyes and let your focus come to your breath. Spend a few moments with the sounds and feelings of the present moment. Release your calendar, to-do lists, past reflection, and future goals. Simply use this time to be.
As we come to this moment of darkness, this passing of a season and the promise of light, we often find ourselves looking towards the future, planning, focusing, easing our way forward. While setting goals appears to others as intelligent, thoughtful, and motivated, it is still just looking forward to the future, or reflecting on the past, taking us out of the present moment. Say this softly to yourself
"I aspire to nothing"
Let this phrase sit with you for a moment. Repeat it. Let it massage you. Release every aspiration for your future and relax into the moment. Breathe. Let go. With each breath sink more deeply into your self, with the understanding that you and the universe are not separate. While time shifts around us, we are a part of the creation that brought us here. Our futures do not require planning. They do not require achievement. They do not require us to worry, fear, or doubt how our journey unfolds. It will unfold as a series of moments we can simply be present for.
"I aspire to nothing"
Kindness lies within our hearts. We do not need to seek it, prove it, or consciously engage it. It lives there every moment. We do not need to try and be "better", we can simply just be. Every life is equal parts joy and sorrow, hope and sadness, pleasure and pain. We are not different than all that is in balance with God, we do not require forward motion to experience all the wonders of being human, they already exist for us.
"I aspire to nothing"
We practice for the sake of practice, work for the service of work, socialize for the joy of interaction, and rest often, both body and mind. We do not need to force ourselves to evolve, we are always evolving. These things we seek are on our path, we do not need to reach for them. Our egos seek to be recognized by others, but our True Self is recognized by all, without the desire for attention or pride, it is simply one with everything that exists.
"I aspire to nothing"
Can we trust the moment? If we become mindful of our aspirations and let them go, we are able to continue on life's journey with a content heart, a love of self and others, and a sense of peace every moment. You already have this gift. Open it. Share it. Awaken it.
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