Physician Healer
Staying Present
In the last few months living with what seems like external chaos without much certainty in outcome globally, has been somewhat challenging to say the very least. And then, I remembered,
“We control nothing.”
Then, I remembered to accept and be ok with that. Why? I don’t really have a choice. As much as I realize that this situation is not unique to me, I still have to do the inner work to arrive at some coherence of the mind, body, spirit.
People ask me frequently how I’m able to cope and weather the extensive effects of the pandemic. My answer is that this is not about “coping” at all. Coping implies that although we are not thrilled about the situation, we have made no attempt to make any changes—lifestyle, habits—but instead, we simply practice betrayal of self through compromise perhaps due to our need to be accepted by others. We say to ourselves,
“This isn’t what I wanted and it doesn’t spark my passion, but oh well, I’ll just go along with things because I want to be liked by others and I just don’t think I have what it takes to do what I really want to do.”
And then, the list of excuses we make for ourselves follows.
I tell those who have asked that the secret is to stay in the present moment, in the “now,” as author-speaker Eckhart Tolle always reminds us to do. And, to do so, requires time in meditation—the infamous “M” word.
Staying present and holding space serve to remove our ability to dwell in regrets and disappointments of the past, as well as the fears and worries of the future. Listening to the silence and focusing on the body and the space around us allow alignment and unification of all elements that comprise who we are. I am then asked how do they make this happen and what do they need to do? Many are under the impression that meditation requires that we actively “clear” the mind or that we actively “pull” ourselves back into the present moment.
The answer is “Nothing.” We do nothing.
The mind knows what to do and the body knows what to do. They don’t need help from us. All they need is for us to sit, not move, and invite the silence and stillness to come through. That’s all. Yes, it is that simple. Whatever thoughts or chatter that go on in the mind is merely stuff that is leaving and being released because they no longer serve a higher purpose.
In my many years of experience in performing and teaching Meridian-meditation to patients, and as I continue to do so, the feedback I continue to receive over and over again is that there is this very peaceful place to which they travel that is neither here nor there, but a place the mind drifts to , becomes aware and takes the body with it.
Keeping our attention to the present moment also secures our focus at the level of what is possible and brings awareness to new experiences and passions trying to emerge through us. One of the most effective methods of bringing presence to my life is asking myself,
“How can I use ability and skill I’m passionate about to serve others today and leave them better than when they started?”
There is something magical about focusing on others, especially when energy medicine is used in conjunction with traditional methods.
Case 1: Recently, I did Meridian therapy on a woman in her 40’s who was struggling with anxiety and fear. In addition, she had digestive and migraine issues. The pandemic had left her feeling incredibly fearful and at heightened alert everyday. She felt her life and health going on a downward spiral. After several weeks of sessions and daily practice of meditation, she developed a renewed sense of self and awareness of “being all here.” She began to experience a sense of deep peace as soon as she awakened in the morning, a far cry from how she was when we first met. Her medical symptoms have improved to completely resolved at this time.
Case 2: About 6 weeks ago, I started Meridian-meditation therapy on a woman in her 20’s who was struggling with a multitude of health issues and caregiver responsibilities for an I’ll family member, aggravated by her inability to focus on her job working remotely and her stress, which was compounded by concern from those around her that there was something wrong with her and that she needed to get some help. After the first 2 sessions and her starting a daily practice of sitting quietly, she now comes in with a brightness and clarity in her eyes that were missing the first time I saw her and a report that her focus and productivity had returned, as well as feeling a deep sense of joy and peace that she hadn’t felt since the pandemic.
There are many others I have worked with for the last 2 months who have had life-changing experiences and all of them have found their way back to their path again in the present moment. Remembering to stay present at all times is not ever easy, not even for me. It is always a work in progress. It is always doing the best that we can each day and to know that the next day presents us with a new opportunity to change and do better. It is to know that whatever we do every moment is always enough.
One of the ways I bring my attention back to the present moment is to ask 3 questions—am I aware of my breath, my heartbeat and if I am aware of being alive and am I grateful. Because I know we don’t control any of the events that occur in our lives all around us, I remind myself that everything that is happening is perfect. Because, it really is if you think about it. Whatever happens happens because it’s supposed to happen or it wouldn’t have happened. Meditation allows us to see this when we come into our true essence and allows our old ways and patterns of doing things to die off.
Lastly, I remind myself that the universe never asks “why” I am grateful. It is only interested in feeling the energy from my feeling grateful.
How do we know that we are doing things right? We begin to notice things happening for us and that we are at the right places at the right time—synchronicities. These are not merely coincidences.
The present moment is the only time that there are endless possibilities awaiting us. The past is done and gone, and the future has not happened yet. But, once we experience the future, it becomes the present moment.
Remember life in presence is more about being and less doing. It’s more about letting and less getting. And, it’s more about awareness of abundance within us and that the answers are always within us. The more pain we feel at any given moment, the bigger the old story is that is trying to peel its way off us, freeing up necessary space for that huge new story that is coming into being. Meditation gets us there and allows us to see this.
Meditation and relaxation (short)
1) Remember to sit comfortably and breathe in slowly and allow the belly to expand while visualizing all the cells in our body receiving all that bright energy and then exhale through the mouth while visualizing all the heaviness being released. Do this for 3-4 cycles
2) Gently access and tap with your fingertips the Meridian chest points on both sides for about 3-5 minutes and then switch to the brow points for 3-5 minutes alternating between the 2 for about 15-20 minutes (see previous issue 2 weeks ago for photos)
3) Intentional statements to say while doing the Meridian —
—Why am I more than enough no matter what?
—Why am I so healthy no matter what?
—Why is my life filled with so much love no matter what?
—Why am I surrounded by abundance no matter what?
(for more statements to use while doing Meridian tapping therapy, please refer to the previous 9 issues. Feel free to discover your own, as well)
4) If you are able, continue on with eyes closed and sit in silence and allow the mind to wander and release thoughts that need to go. Listen to the silence and pay attention to your body in this space. Do this for at least 30 minutes or up to an hour, if it calls to you
5) If you doze off, it is ok. This is called medi-sleep and it is restorative
6) The above steps can be done in the morning before you start your day or in the evening before you go to sleep. Remember to conclude with 3-4 cycles of breathing exercises as shown in step 1
7) Remember to journal 5-10 things you are grateful for everyday and get as clear as you can about your goals. Take one step each day to get closer to that goal while remembering to enjoy the process
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Until next time,
With love and gratitude,
Celeste Amaya, MD