As I was in the middle of my mental meltdown, my mind was moving SO fast and it was SO loud. I could not slow it down, I could not turn it off. It was only by medication I could get any sleep at all. And all the noise was overwhelming, and exhausting and frightening.
*Disclaimer- I know that there will be mixed opinions about this post and my beliefs behind some of it. The concepts are the same no matter what your spiritual belief, so please reap from it what you will.
Renewing the mind and body
As I am on my personal retreat this week, I am working to implement these 2 habits into my life.
The first is meditation. When you hear the word, you probably envision someone sitting cross-legged, hands on knees, palms up and saying ‘ooohm’. Many Christians assume that meditation is an eastern religion tradition and should therefore refrain from it. The Bible, however, uses the word meditate quite a few times and we are told to meditate on scripture.
I found a relaxation meditation download on Amazon where the speaker walks you through progressive relaxation of the body, all the while soft music is playing, and he quotes scriptures intermittently. This has been awesome! Have I perfected it yet? No, but I do seem to be making progress! My brain is not near as full (no IQ jokes here!) and it seems much quieter between my ears and in my heart. Oh, and I can do this lying in my bed, or sitting in my (parked) car!
The second habit I am implementing is yoga. Again, many Christians shy away from yoga, however, if you don’t consume yourself with the new age traditions associated with it, the physical and mental benefits are fantastic. FYI, yoga is not for sissies! It is difficult to get into and maintain the positions. They are strenghtening to the muscles and to the mind.
The yoga session I downloaded is stress relieving for beginners. It is not too difficult and I am able to do most of the poses. I feel so much better after working through the session! I hope to do this either in the mornings or in the evening before bed.
As I get better at both of these personal habits, I believe I will be able to incorporate the 2, to meditate on scripture and seek God’s peace and serenity while working my yoga session. The end result will hopefully be a much more relaxed me, physically, mentally and emotionally! And the noise will be gone, and I will be able to think clearly and hear God. It has been a while since I could really hear Him.
What about you? Have you tried yoga or meditation? What other methods do you use to clear your mind, reduce stress and increase spiritual awareness?
My goal is to help as many women as possible with these issues we all deal with! Be sure to subscribe via email or RSS so you don’t miss any posts! If you know of someone who would benefit from the info in this post and in my blog and you would like to share with them, please click on the appropriate link below!
hi! just stumbled upon this. love your blog, i will be following! follow me if you like! 🙂
http://www.babybregelbausum.blogspot.com
Thanks! On my way over to visit you now!
Bernice
thanks so much for visiting me on my special day!! Enjoy the rest of your day – and lets keep in touch!!!!
Thanks :!)
I use meditation and breathing exercises for stress. I just realized today (I am reading this book called Being more like Mary in a Martha world) that the turnout will always be the same if I worry or do not worry. Amazing! Why have I never realized this?
That is such a cool thing to think about. I mean, we can’t change anything if we worry, so why worry?
So simple, yet so true. Thanks for coming by Doreen!
Whenever I pray, the stress reduction is measurable. Continue to take care of yourself. You matter.
http://www.ellieisanewthing.blogspot.com
I am spending a lot of time in prayer. It seems to be working, if I’ll let it!
Thanks Ellie!
Bernice
Here from 40 and Over, and I’m following you. 🙂
I am just going to try Yoga. I’ve heard it is wonderful for the mind, body and soul. Anything to help me concentrate more on all things important and to be in better shape has got to well worth the effort.
Visiting from Java’s Follow Friday 40 and Over. I’m following you now.
I’m off to learn a bit more about all the goodness you’re sharing.
Take care and God Bless!!!
Yoga is a lot more physically challenging than it looks! I think that is why it quiets your brain cuz you have to focus so hard on getting the positions and not falling over, lol!
For real though, it is helping me!
Thanks for coming by and I’ll drop by soon!
Bernice
Visiting from 40 and over. I’m always struggling with how to quiet the noises in my head. Meditation is often on my list of things to do, but it tends to get neglected. Following you for inspiration!
Yeah, it is easy to get pushed to the side. Once you see some of the benefits though, it can help you stay motivated. The prayer side of it is what really helps bring me some peace.
Thanks for dropping by!
Bernice
Hello! I’m here from Java’s blog hop. Nice to meet you. Yes, I do yoga at my gym (so its not PURE yoga but a gym version) plus I live in Greece so its a mixed Greek-gym-version…BUT it does make me feel taller and more at peace.
Nice to meet you.
http://australianinathens.blogspot.com/2010/08/no-hop-is-hopeless.html
I’m in the middle of yet another sleepless night/early morning here in Indiana. When I get the time today, I am going to explore your downloads! Thanks!
Come by for a visit at http://www.walkingtheoff-beatenpath.blogspot.com
I have used a stress chart to first learn wbout WHY, WHEN AND HOW I am getting all uptight.
I learned about my early alarm signals and now start to learn how to interfere in time…
However I do have tools which I attentively act upon. A hot bath with canlde light and classical music. QiGong is the most soothing activity for me along with sitting beneath trees and feeling the spirit of nature.
I truly like your blog and you are having a new follower!
Great post! I agree that yoga and meditation can be very compatible with Christianity. I’ve been doing yoga and meditation for 36 years, and I think they just add to my Christian faith journey. That meditation looks wonderful, by the way – I’m going to check it out! I found you through Friday Follow 40 and Over.
[…] a better blog and attracting a following, is taking away from time I need to spend in other healing and rejuvenating activities. Time I need to spend in prayer and rest, exercise and fellowship with family and close […]
[…] food less busywork, more impact less driving, more walking less noise, more solitude-see my post Can you please turn down the noise? less focus on the future, more on the present less work, more play less worry, more smiles […]
[…] the little things that bring a smile to your lips and peace to your soul. If you can quiet the noise, you can see and appreciate these gifts that God brings our […]
Love your post.
I have ADD, as do a couple of members in my family, so my mind is NEVER quiet. I also had to learn to meditate and found the reaction was mostly uncertainty…. people are scared of eastern religions. I would pick a scripture and pray it and go over it in my mind. It’s great.
Yoga kicks my butt, but I also haven’t found one that doesn’t include the eastern meditations with it. I tend to like martial arts, so my family is hoping to get into that or tai chi is nice.
Turning off all of my noisemakers definitely helped, but I did lots of singing and praising. It was a great week.
I love yoga and am a Christian. it is exercise for me and allows my mind to rest. No major contradictions there. I do pilates even more regularly though and love it for a full-body workout w/o the meditation.
To clear my head I often walk along the water (we live near the ocean). The sound of the water washes after some of the clutter in my head.
The best way to truly remove the clutter, however, is spending time not only praying but reading the Bible. It has a calming effect like no other!!
Thanks for visiting today.
[…] I begin to quiet the noise and be comfortable with who I am and see the beauty inside, I am ready to create some beauty around […]
[…] My husband also followed me down to help me settle in as my anxiety had been so high. I have done pretty well this week. I have been able to be pretty calm, for the most part. My brain is starting to calm down […]
i definitely need to learn how to better quiet my mind and meditate on His Word… i should try some practical things like this…
[…] food less busywork, more impact less driving, more walking less noise, more solitude-see my post Can you please turn down the noise? less focus on the future, more on the present less work, more play less worry, more smiles breathe […]
I’ve been meaning to start yoga & meditation both! After reading about all the amazing benefits. Keep up your hard work with these amazing habits 🙂
[…] I begin to quiet the noise and be comfortable with who I am and see the beauty inside, I am ready to create some beauty around […]
[…] that is weighing on your mind. Engaging in meditation,prayer and even yoga can help you learn to quiet your mind.Spending time by yourself,in nature if possible,can also be helpful. I enjoy sitting by a babbling […]
[…] Engaging in meditation, prayer and even yoga can help you learn to quiet your mind. […]