I didn't think I had a ritual because the spot where I sit varies depending on the day of the week (work or home), the weather (preference for outside), and whether my husband is home (a room he's not in if I'm not outside). But upon deeper reflection, I do always have a fresh coffee with me: I pause with the warmth of the cup in both hands. Then I do have a moment of gratitude for the space I'm in before I close my eyes, even at work, the view across downtown is a thing of beauty. Thank you for illuminating this element of practice! And as I write this I realise... my new Sunday morning ritual of reading your post as the coffee pot brews kick starts these feelings of warmth and gratitute. Much love ☕️🙏🧘♀️
Love the idea of starting the meditation before the meditation starts. I sometimes remember to think of the whole thing as an act of self-love— from the way I arrange my body to how I wrap myself in a blanket to the gentleness of returning when my mind yanks me away. This practice was a good reminder that this sort of deliberate approach is the secret sauce. Thank you!
SAME ♥️. What are the difference I can make. Even if I’m sitting in my car and I’m not surrounded by candles or cozy blankets I can visualize whatever I want to.
I appreciate your slow pace and calm voice while describing ritual. My daily ritual begins with 5 things I am grateful for and a word for the day "kindness" "listen". My cat, Charlie is waiting on the end of my bed for kitty kisses. Then we're off to the kitchen where my feral cat Frankie shows up for breakfast. I feed them wishing them each a beautiful day. Fix my warm water and fresh lemon. Sit in my reading room in my favorite chair between 2 windows. I have a crystal with a prism hanging from my curtain rod. I listen to my Calm app for 20 minutes. Often when I open my eyes at the end of my meditation, the sunrise has turned my whole room sparkling with colors✨️. I have been traveling a lot lately and have meditated in airports and hotel rooms and airplanes and ships. When I return home, I am so very grateful for my "daily routine". Thank you for creating and sharing this peaceful meditation. My life is happier, peaceful and joyous because I found your meditations.✨️💕😊
My routine of sitting in stillness for a few minutes each day didn’t feel like a practice until I started each day with it, rather than a random time in the midst of a busy day. I am an early riser, so it is very quiet and often still dark when I get up. I feed the cat, wake my body up with a quick shower and begin my sit. I recently added a silent phrase before fully settling in - I am here, grateful for this moment. So a new part of my ritual is to begin and end the day with gratitude. 🙏
These are some of the words that started sponteneously coming to my mind towards the end of this meditation. It was a stream of consciousness mantra of sorts.
I think this is because of the call within this meditation to remember the beauty and ceremony involved with sitting in this way. Respecting the process with this slow and mindful approach really helped me get into a flow state of sorts. And that resulted in the gorgeous words that I heard in my mind at the end.
"I'm here now." I often start my meditations with this. I follow it up with a reminder that this is my time....my time to do one thing, and one thing only. And a reminder that it's my right to feel the comfort that can be found in the simple act of being.
While I am always reminding myself that the goal of meditation is to be able to simply live more fully and thoughtfully in real life, and while I am also aware you can meditate anywhere, I also love the ritual I've created over the nearly two years since I began working on this practice. I have a corner of my bedroom that has a chair, overlooking the East River here in Manhattan. I have a candle that I love to use, from Ireland...a lovely smokey turf-fire scent....I have a stained-glass rooster lamp that I must have lit....I don't know....it just makes me happy....I have a notebook handy to be able to write some reflections immediately after practice....(must have a pencil!! not a pen!)....and I have some gently playing spa-type music in the faint background....And that is like, my little slice of heaven.
I wish I could share a photo of the space here. It's so cozy. :):). I love it. And I love being here with you all. Thank you, as always Jeff. This practice was particularly helpful for the down-throttling I needed...the pace...your cadence....I felt sort of melty and safe. It is one that I plan to return to many times.
I usually listen to you at night for calming me to sleep, but this morning I listened and it calmed all the spinning in my head! Looks like I need a meditation ritual in the daytime!
Thank you for the link to all your meditations, Jeff. I enjoy your work so much. Both the humanity and the tenderness of it in balance. One of my most favorite was a recent one you did for Sebene when you were visiting her.
I’ve found that my current physical illness combined with the lack of routine space where a new guided meditation is offered every day has brought forth a terrible response in me.. I no longer meditate every single day as I used to (since 10% was blown up by whatever). I have a rotten brain fog associated with the brain sag caused by my illness (not an excuse, just a fact) and I’m not as good as routines as I was before this.
Have you or Dan or Seb or Sharon or Joseph set up a place on line where you offer daily meditations? I adored the creation your unified efforts used to bring to us, your listeners.
I’m off to listen to today’s offering with an enormous thank you for all you do.
Sorry to hear about your illness, Teyani. Makes sense that with all the brain fog it’s more supportive to use a guided practice.
You ask a good question. I’m working on a resource that will show where people can connect to live guided meditations every day, all with teachers and practitioners in my close community. Stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, one of the good things about the apps is there are so many daily offerings, even if they’re often recycled.
Let me know - I still have some Happier promo codes if you haven’t explore that app. Just send me an email.
No… sadly, happier no longer draws me. I subscribed for years in its old iteration, but now I much prefer the real connection I have with each individual.
I am truly excited for what you are creating. I’ve said it before, and will gladly repeat myself, I do believe you are the Jack Johnson of meditation. Sending you many wishes of support as you move thru your space with your lovely family.
Ritual and routine are my favorite as it feels like the illusion of control is real for a minute.
I meditate in the morning before breakfast. This is a recent addition to my practice at the urging of my therapist.
At night, I meditate and journal before bed in an effort to get away from screens and decompress so my mind will wind down. It's a two year old practice that's made a huge difference for sleep.
Sometimes I meditate in my office at work because I'm spiraling or I have a meeting that causes me to feel anxious.
A little quiet and stillness is all I really need. But the ritual of meditation has helped me tremendously in the past two and a half years. Grateful to my therapist for introducing something he learned in his master's program 20 years ago.
I forgot to ask you if repeating the 4 medicines that come from meditation to everyone. I’ve been trying to repeat it from “The Daily Trip” So I-We can write them down. They’re beautiful!
Thx you Jeff. I really appreciated this moment. Just as much as your “Daily trip”, ‘this am. There’s been to much on my mind, or plate lately. I received some hints when remembering to do meditation this, afternoon to help me. I thought I was losing it.
Forgot about those illnesses of mine might be here.
So once again a deeply sincere thank you for all you teach me. I just forget sometimes! 🙏🙏😊
Jeff, I’ve returned to this meditation several times since you shared it a few days ago, and each time it brings me new insights.
Today I was considering the distinction between rituals and habits. For me, the early morning ritual that precedes (or perhaps is actually part of) meditation helps to make my practice a thing apart from the ordinary. The ritual creates a psychic space for practice.
But once started, a few minutes in my mind starts jumping around, even if I’ve committed to a home-base to return to. That’s when I realized that developing specific habits/routines for sitting might also be helpful. It occurred to me that if I follow the same sequence after I begin sitting each morning my restlessness might subside. So the habit I’m trying to establish is this sequence: brief expression of gratitude, a few long breaths to stabilize my posture, and then an extended body awareness scan. I hope that a longish stretch focused on inner sensations will help me settle.
I didn't think I had a ritual because the spot where I sit varies depending on the day of the week (work or home), the weather (preference for outside), and whether my husband is home (a room he's not in if I'm not outside). But upon deeper reflection, I do always have a fresh coffee with me: I pause with the warmth of the cup in both hands. Then I do have a moment of gratitude for the space I'm in before I close my eyes, even at work, the view across downtown is a thing of beauty. Thank you for illuminating this element of practice! And as I write this I realise... my new Sunday morning ritual of reading your post as the coffee pot brews kick starts these feelings of warmth and gratitute. Much love ☕️🙏🧘♀️
I get to be part of that - thank you!
Love the idea of starting the meditation before the meditation starts. I sometimes remember to think of the whole thing as an act of self-love— from the way I arrange my body to how I wrap myself in a blanket to the gentleness of returning when my mind yanks me away. This practice was a good reminder that this sort of deliberate approach is the secret sauce. Thank you!
Beautiful Sarah
SAME ♥️. What are the difference I can make. Even if I’m sitting in my car and I’m not surrounded by candles or cozy blankets I can visualize whatever I want to.
I appreciate your slow pace and calm voice while describing ritual. My daily ritual begins with 5 things I am grateful for and a word for the day "kindness" "listen". My cat, Charlie is waiting on the end of my bed for kitty kisses. Then we're off to the kitchen where my feral cat Frankie shows up for breakfast. I feed them wishing them each a beautiful day. Fix my warm water and fresh lemon. Sit in my reading room in my favorite chair between 2 windows. I have a crystal with a prism hanging from my curtain rod. I listen to my Calm app for 20 minutes. Often when I open my eyes at the end of my meditation, the sunrise has turned my whole room sparkling with colors✨️. I have been traveling a lot lately and have meditated in airports and hotel rooms and airplanes and ships. When I return home, I am so very grateful for my "daily routine". Thank you for creating and sharing this peaceful meditation. My life is happier, peaceful and joyous because I found your meditations.✨️💕😊
Sunrise, gratitude, and cats. Full spectrum practice Myrna!
My meditation spaces always with me when I am present to the moment..
Exactly exactly
My routine of sitting in stillness for a few minutes each day didn’t feel like a practice until I started each day with it, rather than a random time in the midst of a busy day. I am an early riser, so it is very quiet and often still dark when I get up. I feed the cat, wake my body up with a quick shower and begin my sit. I recently added a silent phrase before fully settling in - I am here, grateful for this moment. So a new part of my ritual is to begin and end the day with gratitude. 🙏
I feel like the more I make it a ritual, the more powerful my meditation becomes. Love hearing your ritual Tamar
I have to climb the hill to a bench, where I wait to regain my breath, and begin contemplation looking out a the bay.
You EARNED it 😂
How wonderful to be sitting with a view of the water!
"rooted. deliberate. measured. purposeful. intentful. thoughtful. reasoned. smooth. poised. strong. solid. bold. heroic. patient. arrived."
These are some of the words that started sponteneously coming to my mind towards the end of this meditation. It was a stream of consciousness mantra of sorts.
I think this is because of the call within this meditation to remember the beauty and ceremony involved with sitting in this way. Respecting the process with this slow and mindful approach really helped me get into a flow state of sorts. And that resulted in the gorgeous words that I heard in my mind at the end.
"I'm here now." I often start my meditations with this. I follow it up with a reminder that this is my time....my time to do one thing, and one thing only. And a reminder that it's my right to feel the comfort that can be found in the simple act of being.
While I am always reminding myself that the goal of meditation is to be able to simply live more fully and thoughtfully in real life, and while I am also aware you can meditate anywhere, I also love the ritual I've created over the nearly two years since I began working on this practice. I have a corner of my bedroom that has a chair, overlooking the East River here in Manhattan. I have a candle that I love to use, from Ireland...a lovely smokey turf-fire scent....I have a stained-glass rooster lamp that I must have lit....I don't know....it just makes me happy....I have a notebook handy to be able to write some reflections immediately after practice....(must have a pencil!! not a pen!)....and I have some gently playing spa-type music in the faint background....And that is like, my little slice of heaven.
I wish I could share a photo of the space here. It's so cozy. :):). I love it. And I love being here with you all. Thank you, as always Jeff. This practice was particularly helpful for the down-throttling I needed...the pace...your cadence....I felt sort of melty and safe. It is one that I plan to return to many times.
I usually listen to you at night for calming me to sleep, but this morning I listened and it calmed all the spinning in my head! Looks like I need a meditation ritual in the daytime!
I’ll work on that. Until then, “see” you tonight!
Thank you for the link to all your meditations, Jeff. I enjoy your work so much. Both the humanity and the tenderness of it in balance. One of my most favorite was a recent one you did for Sebene when you were visiting her.
I’ve found that my current physical illness combined with the lack of routine space where a new guided meditation is offered every day has brought forth a terrible response in me.. I no longer meditate every single day as I used to (since 10% was blown up by whatever). I have a rotten brain fog associated with the brain sag caused by my illness (not an excuse, just a fact) and I’m not as good as routines as I was before this.
Have you or Dan or Seb or Sharon or Joseph set up a place on line where you offer daily meditations? I adored the creation your unified efforts used to bring to us, your listeners.
I’m off to listen to today’s offering with an enormous thank you for all you do.
Sorry to hear about your illness, Teyani. Makes sense that with all the brain fog it’s more supportive to use a guided practice.
You ask a good question. I’m working on a resource that will show where people can connect to live guided meditations every day, all with teachers and practitioners in my close community. Stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, one of the good things about the apps is there are so many daily offerings, even if they’re often recycled.
Let me know - I still have some Happier promo codes if you haven’t explore that app. Just send me an email.
Thank you so much for your kindness Jeff.
No… sadly, happier no longer draws me. I subscribed for years in its old iteration, but now I much prefer the real connection I have with each individual.
I am truly excited for what you are creating. I’ve said it before, and will gladly repeat myself, I do believe you are the Jack Johnson of meditation. Sending you many wishes of support as you move thru your space with your lovely family.
Thanks Teyani!
Ritual and routine are my favorite as it feels like the illusion of control is real for a minute.
I meditate in the morning before breakfast. This is a recent addition to my practice at the urging of my therapist.
At night, I meditate and journal before bed in an effort to get away from screens and decompress so my mind will wind down. It's a two year old practice that's made a huge difference for sleep.
Sometimes I meditate in my office at work because I'm spiraling or I have a meeting that causes me to feel anxious.
A little quiet and stillness is all I really need. But the ritual of meditation has helped me tremendously in the past two and a half years. Grateful to my therapist for introducing something he learned in his master's program 20 years ago.
I forgot to ask you if repeating the 4 medicines that come from meditation to everyone. I’ve been trying to repeat it from “The Daily Trip” So I-We can write them down. They’re beautiful!
Hey Chris, oh m I can totally do a meditation about that, thanks for the prompt!
Thx you Jeff. I really appreciated this moment. Just as much as your “Daily trip”, ‘this am. There’s been to much on my mind, or plate lately. I received some hints when remembering to do meditation this, afternoon to help me. I thought I was losing it.
Forgot about those illnesses of mine might be here.
So once again a deeply sincere thank you for all you teach me. I just forget sometimes! 🙏🙏😊
Jeff, I’ve returned to this meditation several times since you shared it a few days ago, and each time it brings me new insights.
Today I was considering the distinction between rituals and habits. For me, the early morning ritual that precedes (or perhaps is actually part of) meditation helps to make my practice a thing apart from the ordinary. The ritual creates a psychic space for practice.
But once started, a few minutes in my mind starts jumping around, even if I’ve committed to a home-base to return to. That’s when I realized that developing specific habits/routines for sitting might also be helpful. It occurred to me that if I follow the same sequence after I begin sitting each morning my restlessness might subside. So the habit I’m trying to establish is this sequence: brief expression of gratitude, a few long breaths to stabilize my posture, and then an extended body awareness scan. I hope that a longish stretch focused on inner sensations will help me settle.
Where it goes after that …. stay tuned.
Thanks for listening.
😌🩵