Living in the Moment

By: Chantal Garneau

The popularity of meditation, searching within, and living in the now is on the rise. Many people are making an attempt to start putting themselves first, and to learn who they really are and what they want in life. The age-old question, “what is the meaning of life?” is coming back into our consciousness.

It’s like waking up from a dream and not knowing for sure where we are or why we are here. There are many books on the market aimed at answering these questions, or at least at guiding us to the answers. Eckhart Tolle’s latest book, “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”, is on numerous best sellers lists across the globe. This signifies the desire of thousands, if not millions of people, to come to a place of love, gratitude and the ability to live in the present moment.

Living in the present moment can be difficult when we have thoughts whirling through our minds. Learning to turn off these thoughts, or at least to not engage in them is a direct benefit of meditation.

Meditation is the art of being still. Facilitating the release of thought, worry, and stress, meditation brings about a deep sense of peace. This peace occurs when you let go of internal and external distractions. There are a variety of meditation techniques and it is advised that you try them out to see which works best for you.

Sitting on the floor cross legged humming “Om”, is what most people see when they think of meditation. This does not have to be the case. Walking in the forest, doing the dishes, and watching the sun rise can be forms of meditation.

Many people have told me they can’t meditate because they keep thinking and can’t stop their mind. Meditation is something you practice – with the ultimate goal of releasing thoughts and having a clear mind. If you had never played a guitar and picked it up, or took a few lessons and couldn’t play like Jimmy Hendrix, it would be understandable. It takes practice to play songs like his on the guitar. Just like it takes practice to clear the mind.

To begin a meditation practice you have options. There are many books and guided meditation c.d.’s on the market to get you started, and there are also meditation groups in the area you can join.

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Chantal Garneau is a Reiki Master and Intuitive Counsellor
Her studio is located at 66 Main St. South, Downtown Georgetown
She can be reached at 905.783.8853 or www.chantalgarneau.com

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