I’d like to share with you a few small rituals that I practice and that may really enrich your day and place it on solid ground from the get-go. Some can be used when you awake, others are reminders during the day, and additional ones can be practiced at bedtime.
Morning
Before I get up, I practice conscious breathing for 15-20 minutes lying in bed. This is a form of meditation inspired by Swami Prajnandad, one of the teachers of Arnaud Desjardins, a great French spiritual master who passed away a few years ago. The meditation is based on the power of YES, which some have described as THE most powerful word in the human language. As you inhale, you think: “yes to the new” and then on exhaling “Yes to the old which is leaving” (this is a way of welcoming positively EVERYTHING which will happen during the day).
Then, still lying down and totally awake, I say loudly: “What grand and glorious adventure is awaiting me today” and I repeat the Native American saying: “Give thanks for the hidden blessings which are already on their way to you.” Then I get up and, legs apart and arms in V shape, I state firmly and with conviction: “YES, THANK YOU for everything that will happen today.” This affirmation is based on the understanding than we live in an infinitely benevolent universe which desires our good beyond anything that we could possibly imagine. It is very important that these statements be made with utter conviction (and that for some may happen little by little).
Reminders and evening rituals
For most of us our hectic lifestyle leaves few opportunities to breathe, and our mind runs our lives from morning to night at a frenzied and uninterrupted pace. A reminder is a moment of inner timeout that you can take 2,3,4, even 5 times a day to remind you of an important and meaningful truth you wish to make an integral part of your life. It could be “”It is my Source that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect,” or: “I am love and only love and I respond to any situation whatsoever with the calm and inspired strength of love.” It is absolutely essential that such affirmations not come from the mental but be felt deeply in your heart. Then you stay with this truth and let it sink in gently. This is especially important for those on a spiritual path.
In the evening, it is useful and very valuable to have a notebook on your night table in which you record the most positive things that manifested during the day, from the particularly cheerful song of a bird or the lovely smile of a cashier to a more important event. I shall soon return to the theme of gratitude as it is the ultimate antidepressant.
A second very precious ritual is unconditional forgiveness. Revisit your day and make the effort to forgive any person who consciously or not hurt you or towards whom you harbor resentment (and this can include politicians or ethnic groups, of course). Forgive life or the universe for anything that you might not have welcomed as a gift. And above all, forgive yourself for any shortcomings in accomplishing your goals, or anything else for which you blame yourself.
Finally, if this resonates with you, close by affirming your spiritual and divine nature, totally loving, innocent and good.
If you practice these small rituals regularly morning and night, I can assure you it will make a significant difference in your life.
Pierre Pradervand
