Author : Lisa Hayes
I remember sitting in church and listening to the preacher talk about prayer and contemplation. Prayer gets top billing with traditional Christianity, contemplation falls in a far distant second. However, in reality, they are equally important from traditional views. Prayer is looked upon as our opportunity to talk to God, contemplation being the opportunity to be still and listen to God. As in most relationships a lot of people like to talk more then they like to listen.In traditional eastern spiritual traditions contemplation is most commonly referred to as meditation is the shining star. All Eastern traditions hold meditation as a center point for growth. It's sort of the reverse approach. However, for many of us Westerner's meditation is daunting.Meditation is one of the first tools I try to impart to all my clients and students. The simple act of meditation or contemplation is life changing without a doubt. That is not to say that this simple act is easy. I have practiced various forms of meditation for years and often still struggle with resistance to the practice. Sometimes the flight of thoughts and the urge to escape the quiet gets overwhelming.Last summerI was in Europe. We were visiting our ninth or tenth cathedral of some sort and they were all starting to look the same, not to mention it was 102 degrees. I'd had enough, so while my family took the tour and viewed the art and architecture, I sat on a pew in the back of the church and tried to find respite from the heat. I'd only been there a few minutes when one of the brothers from the monastic order from the cathedral came and sat down next to me. He asked if I was Catholic and I replied no. Then we spent a few minutes just chatting about love, life, and the pursuit of religion. At some point I asked him about his thoughts on meditation. He explained to me that it was his job in the cathedral to keep the oil lamps full and the candles replaced and burning without flaw. Although it sounded small and mundane it was a huge job and often took six or seven hours a day. Then he said something that impacted me profoundly. "I do it lovingly, every lamp, and every candle, I tend to them lovingly. That is my contemplation."In a moment, I got it. Sometimes meditation in the eastern sense of the word, clearing your mind from thought and sliding in the great warm quiet gap, is just what the soul doctor ordered. However, sometimes lovingly washing the dishes or buying the groceries in an intentionally present and sacred manner, is just as magical. Walking meditations, washing meditations, sewing meditations, or whatever, can all serve the same purpose of quieting the mind and connecting the soul to the divine if that is your clear intention. I challenge you to find a form of active contemplation that works for you. Find someplace in your life where you can easily slip off into the gap by lovingly and attentively caring for yourself or others. The only thing required to make contemplation happen is presence to the moment.As I was getting up to leave the cathedral that day my new friend got up and reached out his hand to mine as he said good bye and wished me safe travels. As I looked at his outstretched hand I saw burns all over them. Before I even asked he softly answered. "That's from the hot candle wax and oil.""Oh my – that must hurt.""I don't even notice.", he replied. "My mind stays with God."Lisa Hayes is a mind, body, soul, practitioner who views the person as a whole -
with meditation for the mind, yoga for the body.and as an ordained minister, for the soul, Lisa works with women to help them achieve peace and bliss in the chaos of their every day lives.Lisa is also a partner in an independent technology firm and is a single mother of a teenage boy, so she understands chaos. Chaos is a part of everyday life. It is a part of the contrast of life that makes the zen seem so much more precious.Lisa began the pursuit of the healing arts more then fifteen years ago when she completed her degree in natural health and nutrition. She continued that path as a yoga and meditation instructor before becoming a life coach.Lisa believes that zen is our basic nature. All we have to do is release it. She has dedicated herself to assisting women in finding whatever tools work best for them individually to become their most blissful and beautiful selves.To contact Lisa email her at lisa@moderngirlsguidetozen.com
or call her at 360-490-1411.
Keyword : prayer, meditation, zen, appreciation, contemplation, thankfulness, faith, faithfulness, tithing,
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