Disclaimer: All information herein is shared with the pure intent to celebrate and promote the movement of meditation and to align with the deeper aspects of the Self. There is absolutely no intention of copyright infringement. I do not own the copyright to any of this material. This writing serves as a record of my own experience, which I chose to share to inspire others to get in the flow with their true value and creative reservoir. In no way, am I receiving any proceeds, gifts or otherwise from this material nor do I make any claim to any of this information. All rights are reserved by its owners. If you would like to access this lesson or any other lessons within this meditation series, please see the links at the bottom of this page. Other Meditation series are offered by The Chopra Center and can be accessed through the links provided below as well. Namasté
Day 2: FINDING HAPPINESS
CENTERING THOUGHT
“I am the source of unlimited happiness.”
SANSKRIT MANTRA
VAM
I am happiness.
COLLECTIVE INTENTION
May you gently open to the flow of your pure joyful expression. Namasté
MESSAGE OF THE DAY:
Day 2 – Finding Happiness
Today in meditation, we will tap into the source of happiness that lives deep within each of us. In our practice today we invite inner joy and contentment into our daily activity. Together, we will discover that by accessing the source of joy inside, we access a sense of happiness that doesn’t vary with the ups and downs of everyday life.
Today’s Quote
“Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” — Denis Waitley
Message from Oprah:
“Welcome to day 2, ‘Finding Happiness.’ What is your real experience of happiness? Is your happiness interrupted as things you desire come and go? True happiness is deeper than any one thing you may desire. True happiness, authentic happiness, it’s your birthright. You can feel happy or you can be happy. I’m here to tell you that you have the power to access and sustain deep lasting happiness, all the time. Today, instead of pursuing happiness from the outside in, we begin to cultivate the magnificent happiness that is already there, inside. We open up the wellspring that is waiting to flow. Go with that flow and the happiness within you, will emerge, with ease and abundance. Instead of feeling anxious about your desires, relax in the certainty that your deepest desires are leading you to the very best expression of yourself. Get still, listen… your inner voice is speaking to you and that my friends, is where your true happiness comes alive!
Let’s get quiet and open up to the flow of happiness within as we listen to Deepak’s words.
Message from Deepak:
“Usually we think happiness comes from outside, from the object or experience that we take pleasure in. The external things in life can make us happier for a time, but that happiness may fade, as the luster of whatever external objects or circumstances we are focused on, fade. Today, we will access the source that allows us to sustain this joy.
Happiness is an inner state. If you are depressed the most beautiful sunset loses its charm. If you are anxious the most delicious food is unappetizing. We color everything we perceive. By awakening the flow of happiness within, we begin to experience the ever accessible inner source of joy and fulfillment; releasing the need to reach outside ourselves for external cues or things to make us happy. Our inner happiness has wisdom built into it and guides the flow of our everyday desires to greater joy and spiritual fulfillment. Fighting against your desires doesn’t make you more spiritual, only more frustrated. Desire is natural; yet, when it’s out of balance, it can become the source of judgment, guilt, depression and addictive behavior. Starting today, when you gently experience yourself as happiness and pleasure itself, the flow of desire becomes a joyful expression of inner happiness and your spiritual growth will unfold as the path of desire, not self-sacrifice or denial.”
MEDITATION
As we prepare for meditation together, let’s take a few minutes to focusing on today’s centering thought, “I am the source of unlimited happiness. I am the source of unlimited happiness.”
Let’s begin. Please find a comfortable position and close your eyes. Breathe naturally and effortlessly. Notice the inflow and outflow of your breath. Bring your awareness to your body and notice any tension it might be holding. Allow your breath to wash away this tension. Begin to release your thoughts and expectations. With each inhalation and exhalation, allow yourself to become more relaxed, more comfortable, more at peace. Now gently introduce the mantra, VAM, repeating it mentally and allowing it to flow with effortless ease. VAM is a Sanskrit mantra that when repeated during meditation, will help you open the source of inner happiness. Repeat it silently to yourself, VAM… VAM… VAM… Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts, noises or physical sensations simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra, VAM… VAM… VAM… Please continue with your meditation. I’ll mind the time. At the end you’ll hear me ring a soft bell to indicate that it’s time to release the mantra. VAM… VAM… VAM… just mentally… VAM… VAM… VAM…. Bell Sounds to begin (7:15)
Note to Self: The actual meditation is only 10 minutes; give yourself fully to this moment. You can set your timer for exactly ten minutes and come back to complete today’s focus.
Bell Sounds on actual audio at (17:13):
DEEPAK:It’s time to release the mantra. Take some time to sit restfully, inhaling and exhaling slowly. When you are ready you can open your eyes.
As you continue with your day, contemplate the centering thought, “I am the source of unlimited happiness. I am the source of unlimited happiness. I am the source of unlimited happiness.”
To keep the flow of happiness in motion today, take time to appreciate beauty in the ordinary experiences of life – a warm breeze, the taste of tea, the sound of children playing. Anything can become an occasion for noticing that happiness is an inner state of awareness. The more you connect the inner and outer, simply by taking notice, you will be strengthening and magnifying the knowledge that pleasure and happiness are already within you. Over time, you will recognize that by shifting your attention from the world out there, to the world in here, you’ll give yourself the ability to enter the state of contentedness and happiness anytime you want. Namasté
Reflection Journal:
Question 1 of 4
Write about a time when you were happy because you got something you wanted, like a new relationship, a new car, or a great job. Under that, write about another time when you were just as happy even though you didn’t have those things. What was the common feeling in both cases? Write about your state of mind. What was it about you that made you happy in both instances?
Question 2 of 4
Write down an experience you had this week when you felt happy for no special reason at all. Maybe you were walking home or eating lunch with a friend, and you noticed a quiet elation for simply being alive. This is your unfiltered core happiness shining through. Bring that memory and feeling back into your body with a few deep breaths, feeling it settle in the area of your lower abdomen as a ball of effervescent joy. Write down a description of how this happiness feels inside.
Question 3 of 4
Write about one thing in your life right now that you associate with happiness. It could be your grandson’s laughter, your beloved’s brown eyes, or the view of flowers in your garden. Whatever it is, connect that joyful experience with the bliss center in your lower abdomen and write down the full experience.
Question 4 of 4
Use this space to reflect further on your experience today.
For a fuller experience, where you can gain full benefit of the connection and the energy tapped by Deepak and Oprah, visit the Chopra Center Meditation online store. The online store provides unlimited access to purchased meditations. You can access these exercises on multiple devices (Laptop, Desktop, Smartphone or Tablet). There are two options available. You can either stream them or access them in a downloadable version that do not require an internet connection, it’s completely up to you!
Resources:
https://chopracentermeditation.com/experience
https://chopracentermeditation.com/store
https://chopracentermeditation.com/store/product/60 – Finding Your Flow
https://www.facebook.com/ChopraMeditation
http://www.chopra.com/community/online-library/terms/chakras – To learn more about the Chakras and their seed sounds, color and Sanskrit terms. This link provides a quick overview.
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