The Flowering of Love

"The flowering of love is meditation."
- Jiddu Krishnamurti

A dear friend invited me to participate in Oprah & Deepak's 21-Day Meditation Experience, which began on Monday. I've been interested in meditation for some time, but lacked the discipline and know-how to begin on my own. I was excited to be able to participate in a well-defined program with someone I care about but haven't gotten to spend much time with, and I accepted the invitation with enthusiasm.

The daily meditations begin with lead-ins by Oprah and Deepak that unpack that day's centering thought. Then Deepak leads into the meditation time by reciting the mantra and explaining what it means, and the meditation time begins and ends with the ringing of a soft bell. During the meditation time, soft music enhanced with nature sounds plays in the background. I've been doing the meditations every day since Tuesday, and have noticed that I feel more positive, more energetic, more in control of my life. I don't know if it's a coincidence or if just putting in the time to meditate on positive thoughts and tune in to my body is making a real difference. I hope it's the latter! Time will tell.

The centering thought for yesterday's meditation was: "Abundance flows freely and easily to me." I did the meditation just before leaving for work. Not long after I arrived at my desk, my husband sent me a text to let me know that he'd just received a significant raise. He'd given a letter to his boss weeks ago requesting a raise and providing reasons why he felt it was justified, but hadn't heard anything until yesterday. I just loved the timing of that news!

I'm looking forward to continuing this meditation journey and with the hope that it will lead me further along the path to self-love and acceptance. If this sounds interesting to you, please join me! The program is free. You can register here: https://chopracentermeditation.com. If you do participate, I'd be interested to hear about your journey.

Namaste!

I See You

I see you growing, becoming:

Your quick mind sponging up knowledge, always thirsting for more,
Discernment just beginning to trace its furrows in your brow,
Perception peeping out through shining eyes;

Joy and wonder at life’s beauty

Expressed in exuberant art, song and movement;

Curiosity run rampant,

Ingenuity flowering – expanding, limitless;

Discovery admitting new worlds delightedly explored,

Imagination hatching dreams of what will be

Uninhibited by what is.
I see the tell-tale lengthening of limbs and face,

The gap-toothed smiles that signal evolution:

Your all-too-hasty march towards womanhood.

And to me, you are perfect.

I see your beauty:

Graceful limbs unfolding, slight, yet strong;
Smooth, sun-browned skin

Unmarred by its light speckling of moles,

A stray bruise or scrape earned by a risk taken,

The miniscule freckles that mark a day at the beach,

A mountain hike on a sunny afternoon.
I see bright blue-gray eyes sparkling with life,

Rosy lips curved in a gentle smile,

The dimpled chin I love so well,

Your lovely face framed in shining, honey-brown hair.
I see the beginnings of critical self-appraisal,

Discontent with the mirror’s reflection.

It bewilders and frightens me.

Because to me, you are perfect.

I see your heart:

Drawn to the unloved,

Remembering the forgotten,

Converting stranger to friend in an instant;

Eager to please,

Honest through tears and in spite of fears,

Easily wounded,
Yet always open, vulnerable.

I see you caring for the earth:

Mothering even the tiniest of its creatures,

Planting seeds with hope,

And watering them with care.

I see you caring for people:
Offering help with a chore,
A thoughtful gift,
A kind word,

A tender, fix-it cure.

Sharing warmth in hugs and cuddles,
Jokes and giggles,

Enthusiastic hellos and reluctant farewells,

Conspiratorial looks,

Intimate chats,

The flash of a genuine grin.

I see Love glowing brightly in the depths of your soulful eyes.

And to me, you are perfect.

I see your character:

The sensitive nature finely tuned,

So receptive to sensation and sound, gesture and tone;

Interpreting and internalizing all you see and hear, touch and feel;
Bouncing from confidence to doubt,

Wrestling with fear and pain,

Tormented by “what ifs.”

Yet trying always to be

Kind,

Truthful,

Brave,

Good;

Wanting desperately to be

Noticed,

Included,

Valued,

Loved.

Know this now, darling child of my heart:
I love you with a fierce, ungovernable and never-ending love.

I see you – all of you.

And to me, you are perfect.

Written for Emmeline in November, 2013 by Lorelei Cress in Loma Linda, California
All rights reserved.