Library- Meditation Principles
3rd PRINCIPAL- BEING OPEN
“Openness allows life to flow right through us” ross
Introduction, here we will explain the benefits of benefits of being “grounded and open”. How the two simple practices of “Stopping & Dropping” and “Opening & Smiling” are applied to our daily lives. Also we look at what the Sage and the Scientist say about the benefits of the simple smile.
Why ground back into the body?
* Grounding provides trust and self confidence
* Grounding reduces anxious thoughts of the future
* Grounding weakens the harmful emotions from the past
How to practice Opening, “Opening & Smiling”
REMEMBERING THE:| Intention | Body | Breath |
|---|---|---|
| To be interested | 1. Knees lower then the hips |
1. In- gently to the soft belly |
| To not force the mind | 2. Hips rolled slightly forward |
2. In- gradually longer an deeper |
| To be accepting | 3. Spine strong |
3. In- spreading the lower ribs |
| To be safe & quiet | 4. Chest open | 4. Out- resting and waiting |
“Opening & Smiling”
* For a while practice opening the lower ribs on the in-breath and resting on the out-breath.
* When the mind has calmed, scan the body for tight/unpleasant sensations breathing into them.
* Release the eyes back into their sockets and invite the outer corners of the eyes to lift up.
* Relax the jaw muscles and move the tip of the tongue up to the roof of the mouth.
* Letting go and offer up the a gentle intention of "may the mind smile" or "may the heart smile".
* Just be AWARE and CARE. Nothing more needs to be done! :-)
The Sage & The Scientist
The Taoist Sages 4000 years ago said that when we stayed angry, a poison like substance would flow through the body causing disease. They also said when we practice the inner smile, a honey like substance flowed to heal the body. The Scientist now tell us when we are stay angry, cortisol a hormone that has be related to heart disease flows into our blood streams. Their research also shows that when we smile, 3 happy hormones are released into the blood stream.
How does Opening & Smiling help in daily life?
Opening allows the tensions held in the muscles and the body's organs to be released. Later this same practice can be applied to our emotions. Releasing strong emotions a CARING and healthy way.
Smiling is has many benefits the body, heart and mind.
Also in our relationship to others.