The 11 days that changed my life...

Its true! I joined a commune and found Jesus! 

Of course it was the name of the building I was staying in, but I found him alright. Ok, so I was only in the commune for eleven days, but I lived a lifetime there. Really. I have had the pleasure of stumbling across an Osho meditation center in this sacred land they call Nepal. 

12 days ago I would have told you that I had been meditating for years and knew what I was doing. Now, I realize I didn't know shite from shinola and meditation is so much more than I ever thought. And...at times more difficult for hours on end than I ever though possible as well. 

When I would hear people say "Meditation is the answer to everything" I honestly didn't really understand what that meant. I certainly don't have it all figured out, but after the first week of vipassana (silent meditation), I began to have a clarity that I have never felt before. I understand how mediation effects EVERY aspect of life...physically, spiritually, emotionally...in every plane and dimension. For me, it has especially helped center and ground...helped me stay in the present moment, come back to the present moment more quickly when I have wandered off, and more frequently. 

My creativity has skyrocketed...  I wrote so many pages in my journal about new ideas, thoughts, and perspectives...I see the value in keeping my reality spontaneous...less limited by past habits and mundane routines that keep us in that safe (but boring!) comfort zone.

By learning to become awareness itself...being the "watcher", I can see the gaps between thoughts happening more and more. In that stillness is peace...A tranquility that no material object or money could ever equal. 

This meditation commune has been the most beautiful gift. Living in a community full of peaceful beings (I mean seriously peaceful beings!) that share the same mission of consciousness and the desire to share that gift with the world has effected me greatly. Days filled with a variety of quiet meditation as well as sessions full of dancing, shaking,  humming, jumping, "cathartic noise making" and a variety of other powerful transformational activities...

.....Dancing every night to joyful beautiful music with a room full of people so happy to be there celebrating together...smiling faces as big as the moon...the air filled with incense that takes you instantly back to an ancient civilization...the nightly Osho discourse filling your soul with love and understanding... And of course the yummy SPICY Nepalese vegetarian meals... I shall take this amazing gift everywhere I go and share it with as many souls as I can find. 

Thank you Thank you Thank you! I love my life! 

Meditation does not have to be the chore as many uninitiated people believe...contorting yourself into the Buddha-in-lotus position ...mentally torturing yourself by fruitlessly attempting to empty your mind.... Ok...there are a few moments of that in a week long vipassana...but I anyway....  At least I was sitting comfortably (my lotus needs a little work) and a couple of sessions I actually used a chair! Of course at first it felt like cheating (but its not!)...it is more important to be RELAXED. That is the key. Relax, be comfortable and just watch. Watch your breath at first. Then watch your body. Is there a pain or an itch? Try just watching it, as Osho would recommend. The itch disappears. The pain releases. (Ok, maybe not the pain from the lotus position..where was I...?) These are all simply distractions. ...Huh?...

Ahem...as I was saying...These are all distractions. See?

Watch your feelings. Watch your emotions. Be "the watcher on the hill" Osho would say.  This practice... this discipline some might call it, leads to the ultimate freedom. Peace. When you are at peace, you are free. 

Try it. I double dog dare you. It might just change your life as well. 

I am so happy and grateful I am always at deep peace. 

What is Magic?

Most of you that know me, probably hear me talk about magic, affirmations, and meditation a lot.   Why magic?  Well, first of all, who doesn't want to believe in magic?

I have a different relationship with "positive affirmations" than I once did.  I am so grateful that I not only grew up with a family full of wise women, but I also was gifted life-changing books and gifts written by spiritual teachers and healers throughout my life.  In Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life," she suggests affirmations to heal nearly every malady known to humans.  I thought I understood the concept.
Yet it is only now, decades after reading that book for the first time, that I truly recognize how we create every moment in our lives.  We have the fundamental power to positively or negatively affect our lives in each of these moments.

I too was once a messed up girl who honestly thought the world was out to get me.  I now have a collection of positive affirmations that has led me on a path that is more magical than I ever dreamed was possible.  And meditation?  Well, it has done nothing less than alter my life profoundly.

I am so happy and grateful I am able to share this amazing journey with you through my blog, if you choose to come with me.  I have converted my www.cschambers.com website to a blog…
For, in the wee hours early this morning, I booked my flight to Peru for July 11 - October 20.

One of my most favorite affirmations that I have had for as long as I can remember is "I am so happy and grateful I am traveling to wonderfully wild places".

Experiencing my affirmations turn to reality is nothing less than magic.
And that my dear friends, is precisely what it is.   Magic.




If you would like to follow along, go to www.cschambers.com and put your email address in the box at the right.  If not, hasta luego tiene un buen verano.  

To be continued...