Reflection,By Isira Sanada,

Living Fully from the Heart

Hello everyone,In the last heart letter I shared some key points about toxic beliefs.Now, whilst I said if we can really see the true nature of our conditioned 'toxic beliefs' it can be easy enough to renounce them - like pulling a carrot out of your ear, it is important to acknowledge that the process to get to true seeing requires great commitment, focus and time... As I've said many times - it's a process, not instant coffee.This is why every master emphasizes the importance of commitment and practice. Over my own life (life-times! ☺) I came to realize that there are two essential forms of practice/commitment.The first essential commitment is:DAILY REFLECTIONThis requires consistent dedication to the act of breathing, centring and witnessing ie meditation.By establishing this act of daily reflection your ability to 'truly see' the conditioned mind - the carrot in your ear - will become much clearer. Also the default of unconsciously sticking the carrot back in your ear will grow weaker. As your ability to see the conditioned mind strengthens you retain the ability to stay in an open and witnessing state. This means that you can begin to really SEE, HEAR and GET what your mind has previously understood (yet was caught at an intellectual level) at the level you really need to truly GET IT. It means you begin to experience the true nature of each moment... and WOW ... what a gift of profound joy, love, freedom and beauty each moment truly is!My recommendation is a minimum of two meditations a day - each at a minimum of 30 minutes. I also recommend that you attend programs that continually help you refine your breathing and meditative abilities - like The Presence or Breath of Life.
Even if you have done these before - repeating the programs and going to the deeper levels supports your own natural progression.The second essential commitment is:PERIODIC RETREATThis requires your dedication to time out - really taking the time to rest deeply into meditative space... not just for 30 minutes or an hour in the morning - but for at least three days. Though 4 to 10 days is far more effective. This is because it allows enough time to drop through some of the more superficial layers of the ego and meditation activity and to rest deeper and deeper into the essence of conscious awareness itself. And it is in this greater depth of being that you really GET IT!I recommend at least two retreats a year – one in solitude and one with a group. You will gain different benefits from each. This is why I offer general retreat – everyone at any stage can benefit – and I also provide retreat that takes the practice of The Presence into the wonderful space of deep saturation - for those of you have already explored more developed methods of meditation through the programs of The Presence. * 1 So much more happens at these deeper levels... as I said it's where you really GET IT. These moments of really GETTING IT will continue to build through your life bringing you to realize greater freedom, peace, power, love and joy. You whole life will change for the better.The benefits are so far reaching that really it's not possible to put a value on the gift of meditation. To even say it is worth your effort seems a glib thing to say... but HEY... it really is worth it.And, interestingly - what first seems effort soon becomes a natural joy - something that you will WANT to do each day and regularly through your life. Like taking a shower - you just won't feel the same without it.Meditation really is like a shower. Just as a shower is essential to keeping your body clean and fresh and healthy, taking time to meditate is essential to washing away toxic beliefs, clearing your mind, making your awareness fresh and alert and connecting you to the things that matter most - filling your life with joy, beauty and harmony.May your journey be blessed.With love,
Isira.