Online Book of Shadows

Many people have difficulty meditating. For some it may be that they have a hard time focusing; while others may simply have the wrong idea about what is supposed to happen when you meditate. You cannot make your mind blank. Thoughts are always going through your mind, whether you are actually conscious of them or not. You can however, calm the chatter and be aware  of your thoughts without getting caught up in them.  You can learn to focus your awareness on one thing for longer and longer periods of time. You can learn to relax but you may need to go slowly and gradually at first. You will still have other thoughts but they will become less and less intrusive.

There are many, many ways to meditate. I would like to focus here on a couple of ways for you to get started if you are new to meditation or simply have a tough time slowing down.

Preparation:

For all methods, wear comfortable clothes.

Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight, such as upright in a chair with your feet on the floor and your hands resting on your thighs. You can sit in a cross-legged or lotus position, but only if it is absolutely comfortable for you.

Sit in a quiet place, and turn off the phone.

Method 1– Simply Breathe: For this first method you are simply going to concentrate on your breath. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Take deep breaths and breathe out through your mouth and in through your nose. Your mind will wander and that’s okay. Just notice this and go back to focusing on your breathing when this happens. Do this as long as you like. I would recommend 5-10 minutes to start but don’t get to caught up in the amount of time you spend meditating or let yourself watch the clock! This will defeat the purpose. Even a couple of minutes is fine to begin. If you really want to you can set a timer somewhere away from you, just to get an idea of what five minutes feels like; but it’s really not necessary. Just stop when you feel finished and try to gradually increase the time as you get better.

Method 2–Notice Your Thoughts: As in the last method you are going to focus on your breathing; but this time when a thought pops up  imagine it as a leaf floating by on a stream, a butterfly flying by, or whatever makes sense to you. Or you can simply say to yourself “a thought”, and let it pass by and return  focus to your breathing until the next thought. As before, stop when you feel finished.

These meditation exercises should help you get started and give you the idea of what meditation feels like, and how it can begin to affect you.

Many Blessings!

You can use this rite when you are  feeling scattered, to harness your personal power,  or in preparation for a larger ritual. You will need four candles one for each quarter (north, east, south, west) colored according to your tradition or beliefs. You can also switch the elements and directions if your tradition is different than mine. Place the candles unlit in the appropriate quarter.

Start by facing North- Light the candle and say:
A Child of Earth, I am solid and strong;
Nurturing that which needs to grow,
and letting rest that which is tired.
Pause for a moment or two then,

Turn to the East-Light the Candle:
A Child of Air, I can move swiftly or slowly
towards my destination sweeping away all obstacles.
Pause as before, then

Turn to the South, light candle:
A child of fire, I take action passionately and powerfully
Pause,

Turn towards the West, lighting the candle:
A Child of Water, I wash away that which I no longer need
I floating gently along,  I am rejuvenated and cleansed.
Pause here , until you feel you are ready to end the rite.

When you’ve finished state So Mote it Be, and extinguish the candles in the order you lit them. It is a good idea to write down any impression you have while pausing, or at any other time during the rite.