spirity crib notes on "the power of NOW: a guide to enlightenment": part deux

i really liked eckhart tolle's instructional on how to physically connect body and soul.  check it out:

CONNECTING WITH THE INNER BODY
Direct your attention into the body.  Feel it from within.  Is it alive?  Is there life in your hands, arms, legs and feet - in your abdomen, your chest?  Can you feel the subtle energy field that pervades the entire body and gives vibrant life to every organ and every cell?  Can you feel it simultaneously in all parts of the body as a single field of energy?  Keep focusing on the feeling of your inner body for a few moments.  Do not start to think about it.  Feel it.  The more attention you give it, the clearer and stronger this feeling will become.  It will feel as if every cell is becoming more alive, and if you have a strong visual sense, you may get an image of your body becoming luminous.  Although such an image can help you temporarily, pay more attention to the feeling than to any image that may arise.  An image, no matter how beautiful or powerful, is already defined in form, so there is less scope for penetrating more deeply.

i love this method of digging deep and finding stillness.  tolle says that the road to enlightenment is within, not above - not a new concept but for some reason, reading it in NOW was a light bulb moment for me.  huge.  i tend to spend a lot of time reaching for the cosmos, praying to the big, fat, untamed universe, meditating in hopes to glimpse the great beyond.  but all i need to experience enlightenment is the small stillness in me.  so the physicality of this meditation is terrific b/c the focus of energy is within.  he says, "Do not turn your attention elsewhere in your search for the Truth, for it is nowhere else to be found but within your body."  my body is a temple.  love it.

i actually have had a few great meditative moments through this technique.  the one that had the most impact came last week.  i had just done a little reiki on myself and sunk into a really tingly state.  after some time of just enjoying the feeling of feeling, a crisp image grew before me, or around me, or in me...  i dunno.  it was weird.  the sky was blood orange and the sun was low and red on the horizon.  this blazing sky was the backdrop for the most amazing tree you could imagine.  wide.  so wide.  and gorgeous, thick roots that wrapped and twisted above ground.  the canopy was enormous.  its overall presence was totally inspiring.  overwhelming but welcoming at the same time.  then, as is typical with me, the instant i realized what was happening i got super excited and zapped right back into vanessa land.  dammit.  it's very hard to describe and i wish wish wish i could paint it or draw it or capture its profound beauty and depth.   

back to the book, though.  another tool that tolle shared that i find very useful is to not give yourself over completely to anything or anyone.  regardless of what your are engaged in or who you are with, keep a bit of your energy for you.  be mindful of your inner body in every moment.  be in your skin.  feel your feet on the ground, supported by the earth.  this takes practice.  i'm working on this every day and the more i consciously remember to tune in, the more habitual it becomes.  i find this especially helpful while mothering 3 small children.  it provides perspective and self-control when typically i'd be a the end of my rope.  and that's, like, everyday.

try it out, if you haven't already.  share your experience if you like.  your comments are always welcome.  

peace, love, gratitude...  and how 'bout a little stillness today,
v