Keith JonesMarch 13, 2016

This week I got a deeper understanding about the power of breathing meditation. My good friend Rick had been saying all along how important it is. I thought I got it. Well, I didn’t really get all of it until a few days ago. Before hitting my Sunday workout I listened to a podcast from Optimize with Brian Johnson titled “The Practicing Mind with Thomas Sterner”. One of the key things he shared about was the importance of meditation; specifically, breathing meditation (not to confused with guided meditation.) According to Sterner, the reason to practice meditation is so that on your worst day, you live your purpose. For me that means making a difference in the lives of others and loving in a way that is acceptable. And the reason to meditate daily, even when it’s a difficult day is because we are raising that level of how upfront our observer is on any given day. When the observer is present and in charge of your thoughts, you have the privilege of choice. Otherwise you’re at the effect of negative self talk and thought, at the effect of judgment, blame and guilt, at the effect of victimhood, at the effect of procrastination, at the effect of the Darkside of disowned traits, at the effect of judgment by you and others, etc…

The observer in you is honed during breathing mediation because by focusing on the breath, random thoughts are not running through your head freely. When breath is not the focus, any and every thought (some which are not useful to your purpose) come to you. If the observer is present, then when thoughts do come, you let them pass and return your focus to breathing. Being a skilled observer means I am not attached to the outcome. Instead, I find joy in the journey. I find joy in the practice. I love people regardless of how they show up. I love myself no matter if I fail or succeed in my commitments. I love freely and powerfully. And I practice freely and powerfully without being taken off my path by distracting thoughts and behavior.

More than ever, I am committed to daily meditation. Make meditation focused on breath part of your mornings. It fuels your purpose.

Keith