Embrace Fear and Let Go

Before I started meditating several years ago with CDs using audio technologies, I estimate I hadn't recalled much more than tiny snippets of a dream in, gosh, at least ten years and probably many more than that.

One of the things I liked immediately when I began using meditation CDs was that I started sleeping as soundly as a puddle of snoozing cat and dreaming vividly and often. For the first time in years I could clearly recall in the mornings my imaginings of the nights before.

Well, right after I started using meditation CDs, I dreamed that I was in the atrium of a large bank-like building, the front of which had huge plate glass windows. Granite columns rose from the polished floor to the top of the atrium, some four stories above my head.

I was walking through this atrium, minding my own business, when a man suddenly ran past, shouting, "The storm's coming, the storm's coming. It's headed right for us!"

He evaporated from my sight as only dream people can do.

I walked toward the plate glass windows, looked outside, and, sure enough, a terrible storm was headed right for the building, a perfect storm with tornadoes, hurricane force winds, lightning, and driving rain.

I started to run as fast as I could toward the interior of the building, but then a voice screamed, "We're all going to die!"

I looked back and, yes, the tornado's winds were driving uprooted trees and debris straight toward the plate glass windows.

I could feel myself panicking, sweating, shaking with fear, going zero at the bone.

I collapsed to the smooth, polished floor, worrying furiously about what I could do to protect myself. For lack of anything better, I crawled to one of the granite columns and then wrapped my arms around it even though I knew the force of the terrible winds would laugh at my feeble hold on safety and easily toss me about like an egg shell.

My eyes squeezed shut to avoid the glass fragments and flesh-piercing slivers that would be headed my way any second now.

I felt fear flooding through my veins.

My heart pounded as I clutched onto that column for dear life.

Suddenly, for no conscious reason in that dream, I calmly took a deep breath, opened my eyes, totally accepted the storm, and then watched in calm fascination as glass and trees and street signs and driving rain and other storm stuff flew past me, leaving me untouched, calm, relaxed, and utterly at peace.

Seconds later, I woke up, happy, smiling, almost in tears because of the wonderful experience of completely letting go.

For the first time since 1980, when something similar happened to me, I felt completely at one with everything in the world -- the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the violent and the peaceful.

It's been many years now since I had that dream experience, but I still reflect on it several times a week to remind myself of the way I'm prone to attach to things I really don't have to attach to and fear things I really don't have to fear.

As a result of what I experienced while clutching the granite column in my dream, I've become a better witness of what I say and do -- an observer who can now better embrace the still calm around which the storms of life swirl, bluster, and blow.

Chet Day embraces the still calm in rural North Carolina. You can experience this calm too by learning "A Classic Breath Counting Meditation." Visit http://meditation101.com to get a free copy.

---

Meditate with Mindful Breathing

Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.... Read More

A Look at Meditation

I've counseled many people from every background and led workshops... Read More

Whats The Point of Meditating?

What are you likely to gain from meditating?Simple:? It improves... Read More

Secrets of Meditation For Better Health

Meditation can improve your health, increase energy levels and maximize... Read More

Full Body Awareness

Now that you're comfortable working with your breath it's time... Read More

The Mind is Like a Frisky Monkey

People are often so discouraged about the results of their... Read More

Stress: Guilty As Charged

How To Defend YourselfDo you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed?... Read More

Meditation and the Monkey Mind?

Some find the term, "monkey mind", upsetting, derogatory, and insulting.... Read More

Cultivate a Positive Mind-Set Through Meditation

You have the ability to create your own mind-set. Whether... Read More

Meditation - Easy Tools for Success

Do you want to learn how to meditate? Have you... Read More

Why Should You Meditate?

Everyone's mind needs a little downtime. We all need time... Read More

Relax Into Health

I'd like to share a little secret about relaxation techniques... Read More

Mindfulness and Eating: Divine Desk Dining

Are you stuck eating lunch at your desk again?Lucky you.You... Read More

Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe, With Which Meditation Should I Go?

There are many different styles of meditation, so which one... Read More

Meditate to Unlock Your Hidden Potential ? Part 2

You can be the creator of your own manifest destiny.... Read More

Wireless Meditation: Top Five Tips For Wherever-Whenever Mindfulness

The problem with meditation is attachment.We get in the habit... Read More

Mastery Through Meditation

Are you still looking? For Love? Self-Worth? To know, truly... Read More

Lighthearted Meditation: Playing With Mindfulness

I often meet people who say things like, "I've been... Read More

What Does Meditation Music Do To You?

Personally I belief that it is possible for anyone to... Read More

Embrace Fear and Let Go

Before I started meditating several years ago with CDs using... Read More

Meditation Supply Items ? Can They Help Deepen Your Practice?

Can a meditation supply item help you go into a... Read More

Stevia 100% Natural Herbal Sweetener

Artificial sweeteners are developed in organic chemistry labs. Stevia grows... Read More

Meditation: How to Enter a Deep State of Relaxation

There are many methods of meditation that can lead to... Read More

How To Meditate Without Even Trying

I remember when I started trying to meditate. I would... Read More

Scientific Research on Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Scientific research has shown that the most beneficial meditation technique... Read More