namaste.

For school last semester, I had to go to a cultural event. It opened my eyes. I love being exposed to new cultures, traditions and views. I love the knowledge I have gained in the last six months and the way my mind is continually opened.

 I went to something called Sangha. Sangha is a Buddhist practice based on traditions and exploring meditation and mindfulness. 

I walked into the room and it was silent. There was quiet music in the background and flickering candles; time stopped. No one was moving, everyone had their eyes closed, sitting peacefully. There was a guru in front of the room on a big chair, eyes closed, cross legged with a blanket covering him. 

For the first 15 minutes of the meeting everyone was sitting with their legs crossed on the chairs, eyes closed, hands in lap. It was a sacred feeling being this room with people just taking time to reflect on their lives. 

When you meditate you try to find your center. Try to find the good things about yourself. Meditation is a time to reflect, but not to judge. If any judgments of yourself come to my mind, push them away. 

When I channeled the thoughts in my ever-racing mind towards all positive thoughts it made me a lot more grateful and less stressed. 

After that long time meditating, the guru called us back together with our eyes still closed and had us say things that we were grateful about. We would pause for 30 seconds and then let someone else something they were grateful for. The calm music set the mood. The first person said, "I am thankful for family," followed thirty seconds later with the next person, "I am grateful for the sacred feeling in this room." There were long, warm pauses as the people in the room expressed thankfulness. After a forty-five second pause I joined in, "I am grateful for the opportunity to learn new things from people every day." The thankfulness went on and on and on, and everyone's hearts were filled with warmth.

After a few more grateful messages, the guru started a new portion of the meeting. First he transitioned with a quote, 

"Those who have forgotten the language of gratitude have lost contact with happiness." 

Then he asked us to share stories in our lives that have made an impact, or made changes that others could learn from. One of the men mentioned the man's past teachings. He talked about how when you look back at your life and think of that terrible times, you need to go back and change the story. Instead of looking at life's trials with the victim perspective, look for where the opportunity is, where there is room for growth, why was this a blessing? 

After each person shared, the man share his own teachings on the subject. For this one he explained four questions that help us change the story: 

1. What's there to love? 

2. What's there to learn? 

3. What's there to let go? 

4. What's there to laugh about? 

Bringing one hand in to meet the other. Each hand comes together representing a whole. With hands together in front of you, bow... and say "The highest in me, greets the highest in you. May this be the best day of our life."

Isn't that such a beautiful perspective of life? It is so genuine & Christlike.

I have loved the opportunity to meditate again & again after this experience.

College did give me an education... it has helped my mind be opened...

to be more accepting of change and new perspectives.

We all need to slow down and find the positives in life.

Namaste.