JD LeJeune

You Are The One You Are Waiting For DailyOM

We spend a lot of our lives looking for role models, mentors, teachers, and gurus to guide us on our path. There is nothing wrong with this and, in fact, finding the right person at the right time can really help. However, it is important to realize that in the absence of such a figure, we can very safely rely upon ourselves. We carry within us everything we need to know to make progress on our paths to self-realization. The outer world serves as a mirror. Or to use another metaphor, our inner world has a magnetic force that draws to us what we need to evolve to the next level. All we need to do to see that we already have everything we need is to let go of our belief that we need to seek in order to find.

The path of the spirit is often defined as a journey with a goal such as the fabled pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In this metaphor, a person begins a search for something they want but do not have and then they find it, and there is a happy ending. However, most of us know that getting what we want only makes us happy for a moment, and then the happiness passes until a new object of desire presents itself. Joy is a permanent aspect of our inner selves and is not separate from us at any point. We do not have to travel to find it or imagine that it resides only in the body of another. In fact, what the best teachers will do is point out that this very precious elixir is something we already possess.

So when we find ourselves on our path, not knowing which way to turn and wishing for guidance, we can turn to ourselves. We may not know the right answer rationally or intellectually, but if we simply ask, let go, and wait patiently, an answer will come. The more we practice this and trust this process, the less we will look outside ourselves for teachers and guides for we will have successfully become our own.

Apparently the following words were inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)

“When I was young and free and my imagination had not limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But, it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.“

From The HeartMath Institute

“You feel a deep sense of peace and internal balance—you are at harmony with yourself, with others, and with your larger environment. You experience increased buoyancy and vitality. Your senses are enlivened—every aspect of your perceptual experience seems richer, more textured. Surprisingly, you feel invigorated even when you would usually have felt tired and drained. Things that usually would have irked you don’t ‘get to you’ as much. Your body feels regenerated—your mind clear. At least for a period of time, decisions become obvious as priorities clarify and inner conflict dissolves. Intuitive insight suddenly provides convenient solutions to problems that had previously consumed weeks of restless thought. Your creativity flows freely. You may experience a sense of greater connectedness with others and feelings of deep fulfillment.“1

Want some? More than a decade of research at the Institute of HeartMath has shown the relationship between this state, commonly referred to as flow, and positive emotions. They call what happens to the human system during these states physiological coherence. And it’s the underlying principle behind the HeartMath® system of tools and techniques.

At first, most can’t believe achieving flow is as easy as flipping a switch. Perhaps it’s because we’ve grown accustomed to expecting that if something isn’t complicated and/or expensive it has no value. Yet all it takes to get into the flow is a little bit of practice.

For those of you new to the HeartMath System, here’s an easy way to get started. Heart focus. Heart breathing. Heart feeling.

We call this the Quick Coherence® technique and here’s how you do it: Imagine your breath coming in and going out through the area around your heart in the center of your chest. Do this slow, deep breathing for about 20 seconds. Then recall a fun or positive time in your life: A favorite vacation; a special time with a loved one; a perfect run down the slopes. And attempt to re-experience it. Hold this feeling for about 30 seconds or more. Then notice the emotional, mental and physical shift. That’s it. Three easy steps that can be done free of charge, any time, any place, and no batteries are required.

Take care, Kim Allen

1 Excerpt taken from The Appreciative Heart: The Psychophysiology of Positive Emotions and Optimal Functioning, Rollin McCraty and Doc Childre, Institute of HeartMath, 2003. You can find out more about this and other IHM research at http://www.heartmath.org/research/index.html

From The HeartMath Institute

“Flow with whatever is happening and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.” - Chuang Tzu

From The HeartMath Institute

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart … Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” - Carl Jung