Tag: meditation

The inward outward journey

Hannah TelluselleLeave a comment

Most people have heard the expression “doing an inner journey”, but what does that really mean? First we travel inwards. This simply means focusing on what your inner world is about – your thoughts, your emotions, your memories and their meaning, your ideas, and your dreams. What we dream at night, is often our subconscious trying to process our impressions of the day, but also sometimes telling us things that needs to be brought to the surface for us to deal with. Perhaps a fear, a problem, we’ve tried to hide underneath the proverbial rug, or even a message from the spirit world. It’s said that our souls come lose during our sleep, and can meet with others, in our collective consciousness and from there carry with it information and inspiration. These things, can be realized, when we do an inward journey, such as through meditation and/or journaling.

What’s not so often talked about though, is the outward journey. We talk with others the same way we usually do. Sometimes, we even talk about the same things, and in the same way, regardless of who we are talking to, where, and when. That usually means we’re stuck in a thought pattern or dealing with an upset, or even assumed that we are, others expecting us to be and communicate a certain way, not at all congruent with our current state of mind and heart. However, looking inward before expressing ourselves, can enable a true blossoming. When we take what we’ve found within, and share it consciously, a door opens to new discoveries and a more deep understanding of both ourselves, others, and our world. And to dare share this, is where we mold ourselves into a constant evolving being. We can try our findings with others, which either makes us solidify our own insights, or let us develop them further, with others’ input. To dare take in others’ perspectives, as well as to dare share our own, from within our authentic self, is what enables a true exchange, free from pretences. And through this, we set ourselves free and can expand.

What are your true gems? What’s an inner longing or need you have? What’s an insight you’ve made about something you’ve been pondering about? What happens when you speak this out loud with people you can trust showing you respect?

The healing sound of mantras

Hannah TelluselleLeave a comment

Prayers have been part of many religions and cultural practices since the beginning of time. Singing together as part of worship and community, can also be referred to as Kirtan, when made interfaith and intercultural. Chanting is one of the forms.

In Hawaii, they’re called ‘oli and pule, which are a way of chanting a story and praise their gods and godesses. The chanting sounds, are made by placing the vowels in the back of the mouth to invoke a vibration, that in turn is said to have healing properties by stimulating various parts of the mouth, which I was introduced to by Kumu Jared Kukaho’omalu Souza in 2005, and have continued practicing on occasion, such as E Ho Mai, a request to be granted wisdom from above (as chanted here).

In India, there are several mantras that are part of Yoga and Hinduism. Many are made to ask for blessings from the Hindu gods and goddesses. Here is the Gayatri mantra, that I learned in 2008 through the Indian teacher Shajesh Paparali, who found me in the online forum “The Daily Om”. The Gayatri is an invocation of the Divine Light for the highest good.

In Japan, their Buddhist traditions include a way of meditating and chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, which is a joint wishing well, which I practiced in the south of Sweden with an international group in 2009 (as chanted here).

In Tibet, the Mahakala is chanted to invoke protection, which I have done in Stockholm some years ago, as part of the Buddhist centre here.

The question then is, what do Christians do? Are there old Christian chants too? I think the Catholic priests’ way of praising and praying in Latin at Mass, could be seen as. And the way we pray Our Father there.

Would you like to try chanting a mantra?

Walking meditation

Hannah TelluselleLeave a comment

There is something comforting in hearing the sound of snow, crunch lightly, when we tread on it. It reminded me of practicing walking meditation again. Have you tried it?

This can be done both outdoors and indoors (where it might be easier) and is simply a way of walking slowly in harmony with your breath. Let each step, be in sync with your inhale, gently putting down your foot on the exhale, by rolling it from heal to toe. Inhale as you lift your other foot and move it slowly upwards and forward. Exhale again, when you put it down.

This is an awesome exercise to land into presence!