Why Meditate? Tricycle, The Buddhist Review magazine (Fall 2010), interviewed the French Monk, Matthieu Ricard, about his new book, Why Meditate?

As I continued to read this fascinating interview, I realized how much meditation has to do with our journeys — into our minds and out again into the real world…and, the correlation between meditation and keeping our visions alive.

Creating plans from our visions

Meditating seems mysterious to many people, yet for me, meditation often means simply removing myself from all activity, finding a quiet place and closing my eyes to all the distractions surrounding me. Often, I consciously say to myself that I am going to meditate now, Vipassana style. Meditation is actually not meant to create anything, it is a space to be for spiritual introspection. I believe that going within allows us to journey into a vast soul space that provides a quietness that transcends our mind chatter. From that place, when we return to conscious action, we can see more clearly where our path lies, what steps to take as we create our present that will take us into the future.

Matthieu Ricard states, “…Why Meditate?…We have the potential to be more kind, to practice mindfulness, and to experience well-being but we only use a small fraction of the potential we have…so that’s what meditation is about: to cultivate the qualities that we have the potential for but that remain dormant, latent, unused, and to develop them to the best of our own potential.”

Embracing Ricard’s philosophy, I would like to create a bridge into the world of manifesting your vision, your dreams and goals. What if you were to write your vision on a big piece of paper and put it on the floor in front of you, and then meditate (in your own way) for at least 30 minutes. When your mind drifts away from the meditation, pick up your marker and draw, scribble, write whatever comes up for you. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with the original vision you already placed on the paper. This is just an exercise to expand your mind’s journey as you continue your plan of action.

Practical Spirituality — from vision to strategies and abundance of life  (Smiling to myself…I wanted to .com “practical spirituality” because that is how I think in terms of Vision Mapping Strategies, practical steps for the visions and goals we hold dear. Alas and alack, the term has already been taken by some brilliant person!) However, meditation and your vision maps, your life blueprints, go hand in hand — a door opening inside your mind with meditation, to taking whatever action is deemed necessary by you. And aside for all of the above, please remember to reach out and ask for support. You do not need to do this journey alone. Abundance is a state of mind, and there are many paths to contentment.  Spiritual insight + vision + passionate action =  well being

Imagine sitting by the river in Sedona, Arizona, sharing your deepest dreams, visioning the perfect plan for your journey forward. The sun is shining on Cathedral Ledge, puffy clouds wafting over the hills, and the water is soothing away distractions and stresses. And here I am, ensconced in camping chairs with a vision mapping client from the east coast, drinking coffee, listening to delightful visions from a professional writer who will be turning 70 very soon.

“Amortality…Why acting your age is a thing of the past,” a recent article by Catherine Mayer in Time magazine, explains why some of my clients are not only in their 30′s, but stretching into their 70′s and beyond. Mayer states that “amortality” is a term she used to categorize our current trend of living agelessly. Of course, we are not immortal; however, positive lifestyle changes, better medical care and an upbeat philosophy all contribute to our lengthening lives.

By 2050, men and women of 60+ will constitute 27% of the entire U.S. population. You may look at 2050 as being forever, but i’ll let you in on a little secret from my decades of wisdom: Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans, and the time can slip away faster than you imagine. In fact, you may already be collecting Social Security income…or perhaps you’re a young one transitioning careers.

Do we need a strategic plan of action as we age? Well, yes and no! It depends on your financial situation, energy, whether or not you are fully retired…and lots of other personal ingredients. Generally, regardless of age, there are lots of questions to ask. What is the dream that you hold in your heart and mind right now? How much time can you devote to making the vision manifest? Do you have adequate finances to materialize the dream? Who else might be involved with your goal? Do you need to make a plan of action to embark on this next journey?

The questions might be shifted a bit for septuagenarians or octogenarians, but the wanted results are the same. And the inquiries generally remain sorta’ the same for all ages. People of a certain age certainly have gained huge wisdom, and they also want a different lifestyle than a 45 year old. Asking the above questions can help determine directions and eventual ‘how-to’s,’ whether you choose immortality, amortality or just a plain old integrated happy life plan. Most importantly, be true to yourself and allow the childlike wonder within to be your guiding light. Visions never end because we turn a year, or a decade, older. Grace is always with you. Discovery is a daily happening. Please write and share your dreams with me, and if you need a little support, my pleasure is helping others create the perfect “how to do it.”