A Love Story

Meditation from the Heart - A Love Story 

I was interviewed last March by Amy Pattee-Colvin, Compassion Meditation, and Qigong teacher, author of Cultivating Compassion.

One of the things I appreciate about you is that you are smiling all of the time. I don't smile very much. 

This comment makes me realize that in most candid photos of me, I am smiling. I am a happy person. What is my secret? I believe my consistent meditation practice is a significant factor.

During this interview, Amy asked me how I got into Sum Faht Meditation. It is a bit of a love story. 

The real reason why I found out about this practice called Sum Faht is that I was engaged to be married to this fellow. The relationship was a little bit rocky. I had a sense that my spiritual side was out of balance. I had a girlfriend that went and meditated at some mysterious place in LA. I begged her to tell me who her Teacher was, and I want to go, So I went, paid for some courses, and I brought my fiancé with me as well.

 After meeting the Teacher for the first time, that particular person disliked it because it is all about being honest and looking at yourself truthfully. He quit going. 

I had paid for the courses and, of course, you know me, I am going to get the value out of my money. Especially back then, when there was not that much. I went again and then, and that time the Teacher told me, “Lisa, did you know that all men are not jerks?” I’m thinking, “MMM, What does he mean?” Within 24 hours the lightbulb went off in my head, and I realize, I have to leave this guy I am engaged too because it is such a toxic relationship. It would be better for me to go with the clothes on my back and my self. Just leave everything behind. I mustered my courage and left my home. 

Within 24 hours of leaving, I met the person with whom I am currently happily married.

Interestingly, my girlfriend said she always knew that Henry and I were meant for each other. To illustrate, she pulled out a picture of the two of us sitting together on her couch about a year prior. (I was still with my fiancee, and he was still married.) I did not remember him, nor did he remember me.  

I am laughing because the Teacher knew that we were going to be together spiritually and should be together as a couple way back when we were in the same High School, same town, with parents having mutual friends. We simply had to go on with our lives, waiting for the right timing to meet.

In the next Blog I will talk more about Sum Faht Meditation.

www.MeditationFromTheHeart.com

Fire Rooster - 2017

The Year of the Fire Rooster – 2017Gong Hey Fat Choy! Happy New Year!

January 28, 2017 is the first day of the Year of the Fire Rooster.

People born in 1957 or 2017 are Fire Roosters and are considered trustworthy, with a strong sense of timeliness and responsibility at work. Besides being loyal they are talkative and popular in a crowd. Lucky numbers are 5, 7 and 8. Lucky colors are gold, brown and yellow. Please avoid red and be wary of 1, 3 and 9.

How will this year play out? Conflicts and plenty of debate can be expected during the year of the Rooster. The cocky presence and fearless action will bring about change, whether it is needed or wanted by the masses.

The Rooster is often compared to a ‘Don Quixote’ – ready to take on any challenge that presents itself with a notable strut of confidence and a progressive attitude that is impossible to beat.

This year is perfect for those who wish to put effort into reaching the ultimate levels in health – mental, physical and financial, but not so well for those who favor being lazy. Living the life of a couch potato may have disastrous results.

This will not be a year of hand-holding, but rather more like finger pointing and judging. This is especially true for those who haven’t lived up to expectations or promises made.

If you lack discipline, you will be criticized and left behind, but if you strive for perfection and accomplishment, then all is possible.

In the bigger picture, loyalty and a wiliness to work in concord with the majority will help the outcome of a year of posturing. It will take strong savvy leadership to navigate through the challenges that face the world physically and financially.

In other words, showing excellence and integrity along with compassion and logic will be the best course during this year’s muddled moments. Hopefully, this will help prevent hasty reactions based on assumptions instead of facts.

I am hoping to see relationships strengthened globally with countries united in striving for freedom and peace on earth as well as making smart environmental decisions.

Remember, that taking daily moments in meditation has a humongous ripple effect for the positive. Please join me in the spirit of meditation.

Please join me Monday mornings and Wednesday nights. See calendar page for the dates. www.MeditationFromTheHeart.com

Spiritual Cramming

Spiritual Cramming

I’ve found myself – as I do periodically – with the feeling that I have some ‘free time’ on my hands. With that feeling, faithfully comes the itch to fill it right on up. Yes, folks I definitely scratched that itch.

This time I’ve gone for the spiritual gusto. My regular Sum Faht Meditation practice is firmly in place and inside of that practice I occasionally use a timing device (app) called the Insight Timer. This app is connected to other users. It is quite a delight to know that during my Wednesday evening classes there are usually another 3,500 people meditating across the world at the same time we are.

I decided to join a 12 week course called the Practice of Direct Awakening lead by Craig

Hamilton. Awakening is beyond the mind. One of the fun things he challenged our group with an exercise of sitting for 15 seconds and simply let everything be as it is. Success! Now do it for 30 seconds. No matter where your mind goes let it be and have no judgement. How about you try this too!  And when you are done, add a few more minutes of meditation. (Simple – Right!?) Be easy with it. Be who you really are right now.

Meanwhile, I have also joined an 8 week women’s group which

involves creating and singing beautiful heartfelt songs about life, love and feminine mysteries. Plus we are delving into our direct lineage and honoring all of the women who without whom we would not exist. This intention is also a powerful healing around being a woman in this world.

There is a gentleman, David Nicol, who is making a huge effort to join and educate people about the phenomena of Group Subtle Fields. I am listening in periodically to these talks. Even if you are not in the same room together you can actively connect/feel the energy a group.

The Book of Joy – an – audio book with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu – narrated by the husband, Doug, of my friend and medical doctor, Dr. Rachel Abrams, is currently escorting me during my drives to the various places life takes me. It is a personal goal of mine to be as happy as possible all day long. I am learning about the spiritual depths of joy versus the state of being happy from listening to these amazing spiritual leaders. I highly recommend enjoying your own copy of this fabulous book. One key component is the mental aspect of having a good attitude with compassion and generosity toward yourself and other human beings.

I’m laughing right now because I’m remembering that during all these years of meditating  (29) my Teacher has encouraged most people to not read books on spirituality because any questions you may have you can find the answer to by going within. You need only to sit in meditation. This advice really has worked for me. I am, however, reading a book right now called The Diamond Cutter – The Buddha On Managing Your Business and Your Life. This book has not only been entertaining, but has given me some sweet insights on the art of detachment. And a gentle reminder about how every moment contains the flow for infinite possibilities.

Lastly, I am giving a heartfelt plug for the book Cultivating Compassion – Simple Every Day Practices For Discovering Peace of Mind and Resilience. Why? Because I am proud of my little sister, Amy Pattee Colvin, who authored this book. Within its pages you will find help day by day for 66 days to develop a personal practice – discovering more about yourself with a compassionate heart.  

Of course all of this spiritual cramming is on top of my regular day to day life of running Water Star Motors, home and self-maintenance. I love my life!  

Please join me Monday mornings and Wednesday nights. Or, if you prefer, book a private session. See calendar page for the dates. www.MeditationFromTheHeart.com