The solution to all human problems is summarized in this short paragraph by spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007). “I am in preparation. I am in preparation for a new dawn, a new morning and a new day. I shall consciously and forcefully bury my past experiences—experiences of failure, experiences of frustration, experiences of unworthiness. I shall bury them. I shall obliterate from my memory tablet all the uncomely experiences, the un-illumining experiences, that I have had so far in my life. I am in preparation for an ever-new life.”

Our mind is a storehouse of impressions. Everything we see, hear or feel leaves an imprint upon the mind. In the long term, disease is often the result of harboring negative thoughts or emotions. The mind then plays an important role in our physical well-being. Since the mind is nothing but thought, much of the healing consists of changing our thought pattern and learning to embrace positive thoughts. Thoughts of love, peace, and harmony counteract the weakening, disturbing and negative thoughts.

The daily practice of meditation allows us to get in touch with the deeper part of ourselves, calm our emotions, focus the mind, and bring to the fore the qualities and capacities that are stored deep within ourselves. Through the practice of meditation, we discover that we are looking at life through lenses which are colored by our past experiences and emotional traumas. The process of purification of the mind allows us to gradually release these deep-seated imprints and shift the focus to a higher level of consciousness, a state where peace, harmony and balance reign supreme. This is what can help us achieve this state:

Mantras: In the form of words or music, sound reaches and purifies the deeper part of our being. It helps alter or eradicate deep-seated memories and impressions. Its energy can neutralize inner scars.

Intake of peaceful impressions: It’s important that we surround ourselves with people that inspire us, and that we spend time in nature. Walking among trees and flowers, sitting by a lake, listening to the chirping of birds, the flow of water in creeks, the rustling of leaves in trees are all very healing.

Colors: The colors we wear and the colors that surround us in our homes affect us deeply. Each color carries a different energy. Light, pastel, colors should be preferred, as they carry positive energy. Greens and blues are cooling; earthy colors are grounding; the shades of red, orange and yellow are energizing and warming.

Aromas: the fragrance of essential oils and incense can be beneficial, as well. We can choose the calming and clearing fragrances of sandalwood, myrrh and frankincense, or the cooling fragrances of flowers, such as rose, jasmine and gardenia.

 

Dr. Kapila Castoldi is an instructor at the Sri Chinmoy Centre, offering an Exploring Meditation series on March 17, 24 and 31 at Crazy Wisdom Bookstore. For more info, email [email protected] or visit MeditationAnnArbor.com.