Today's DailyOM Offerings...
September 20, 2019
Inner Strength's Attraction
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
You may experience an intense need to be with people today. A longing for validation may play a role in your desires, or you may simply want to strengthen your relationships. If you are having a difficult time relating to others today, you may begin to feel inadequate or unlikable. Such self-effacing feelings can undermine your confidence. To move past your anxiety, it may be helpful to acknowledge your weaknesses and strengths and focus on the latter. Acknowledging your strengths can help you remember your personal worth. When you realize you have a lot to offer, you will immediately transform the way you relate to others. This will alter the way they respond to you. If you focus on your positive qualities today, others may focus on them as well.
A strong sense of self-assurance can be a key element in forming solid connections with people. When you feel inadequate, the people you encounter may recognize your uncertainty, and this can color the way they perceive you. Exhibiting self-confidence demonstrates to others that you are a person who values themselves and has something to offer. Your confidence can inspire people to put their trust in you and your ability to be a good friend or competent coworker. Your willingness to value yourself can give you the courage to cultivate the relationships that you crave. Believe in your worth today and any inadequacy you feel will vanish; you'll create an air of confidence that others will respond to.
September 20, 2019
Taming Monkey Mind in Meditation
Quiet Please!
by Madisyn Taylor
We all have the endless chatter and noise in our head, often referred to as the monkey mind.
It's been called the monkey mind - the endless chattering in your head as you jump in your mind from thought to thought while you daydream, analyze your relationships, or worry over the future. Eventually, you start to feel like your thoughts are spinning in circles and you're left totally confused.
One way to tame this wild creature in your head is through meditation - although the paradox is that when you clear your mind for meditation you actually invite the monkey in your mind to play. This is when you are given the opportunity to tame this mental beast by moving beyond thought - to become aware of a thought rather than thinking a thought. The difference is subtle, but significant. When you are aware of your thoughts, you can let your thoughts rise and float away without letting them pull you in different directions. Being able to concentrate is one of the tools that allows you to slow down your thought process and focus on observing your thoughts.
To develop your concentration, you may want to start by focusing on the breath while you meditate. Whenever your monkey mind starts acting up, observe your thoughts and then return your focus to your breath. Some breathing meditations call on you to focus on the rise and fall of the breath through the abdomen, while others have you concentrate on the sound of the breath. Fire can also be mesmerizing, and focusing on a candle flame is another useful tool for harnessing the mind. Keep the gaze soft and unfocused while observing the color, shape, and movement of the flame, and try not to blink. Close your eyes when you feel the need and continue watching the flame in your head. Chanting, devotional singing, and mantras also still the mind. However you choose to tame the monkey mind, do so with firm kindness. The next time the chattering arises, notice it and then allow it to go away. With
practice, your monkey mind will become quiet and so will you.
Inner Strength's Attraction
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
You may experience an intense need to be with people today. A longing for validation may play a role in your desires, or you may simply want to strengthen your relationships. If you are having a difficult time relating to others today, you may begin to feel inadequate or unlikable. Such self-effacing feelings can undermine your confidence. To move past your anxiety, it may be helpful to acknowledge your weaknesses and strengths and focus on the latter. Acknowledging your strengths can help you remember your personal worth. When you realize you have a lot to offer, you will immediately transform the way you relate to others. This will alter the way they respond to you. If you focus on your positive qualities today, others may focus on them as well.
A strong sense of self-assurance can be a key element in forming solid connections with people. When you feel inadequate, the people you encounter may recognize your uncertainty, and this can color the way they perceive you. Exhibiting self-confidence demonstrates to others that you are a person who values themselves and has something to offer. Your confidence can inspire people to put their trust in you and your ability to be a good friend or competent coworker. Your willingness to value yourself can give you the courage to cultivate the relationships that you crave. Believe in your worth today and any inadequacy you feel will vanish; you'll create an air of confidence that others will respond to.
September 20, 2019
Taming Monkey Mind in Meditation
Quiet Please!
by Madisyn Taylor
We all have the endless chatter and noise in our head, often referred to as the monkey mind.
It's been called the monkey mind - the endless chattering in your head as you jump in your mind from thought to thought while you daydream, analyze your relationships, or worry over the future. Eventually, you start to feel like your thoughts are spinning in circles and you're left totally confused.
One way to tame this wild creature in your head is through meditation - although the paradox is that when you clear your mind for meditation you actually invite the monkey in your mind to play. This is when you are given the opportunity to tame this mental beast by moving beyond thought - to become aware of a thought rather than thinking a thought. The difference is subtle, but significant. When you are aware of your thoughts, you can let your thoughts rise and float away without letting them pull you in different directions. Being able to concentrate is one of the tools that allows you to slow down your thought process and focus on observing your thoughts.
To develop your concentration, you may want to start by focusing on the breath while you meditate. Whenever your monkey mind starts acting up, observe your thoughts and then return your focus to your breath. Some breathing meditations call on you to focus on the rise and fall of the breath through the abdomen, while others have you concentrate on the sound of the breath. Fire can also be mesmerizing, and focusing on a candle flame is another useful tool for harnessing the mind. Keep the gaze soft and unfocused while observing the color, shape, and movement of the flame, and try not to blink. Close your eyes when you feel the need and continue watching the flame in your head. Chanting, devotional singing, and mantras also still the mind. However you choose to tame the monkey mind, do so with firm kindness. The next time the chattering arises, notice it and then allow it to go away. With
practice, your monkey mind will become quiet and so will you.