Let's meditate...

"Okay, okay, I am meditating", said Ollie.


I said, "Nope! This is not meditating."
You know Ollie bird is a young cat with a limited vocabulary.

"What about now? Am I meditating?"


I said, 'No Ollie, you are not meditating when you are talking so much. Go ask Augustus because he is very good at it.'

"Leave me out of it!" said Augustus, as he tried to hide away.


But later in the day I caught him doing this: "Ommmm!"


And I noticed that Ollie was deep in admiration and trying to focus as well.
Well, more proud and in love I could not be!


'...Bahá'u'lláh says there is a sign in every phenomenon: the sign of the intellect is contemplation and the sign of contemplation is silence, because it is impossible for a man to do two things at one time--he cannot both speak and meditate.

It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed.
You cannot apply the name `man' to any being void of this faculty of meditation; without it he would be a mere animal, lower than the beasts. (side note- Augustus and Ollie are exceptions, and this happens!)

Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit (inspiration)--the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation. (side note- this is where inspiration comes from)

The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives heavenly food.

Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves.' (Excerpt from Paris Talks)

Personally, I cannot live without silence, meditation, and reflection; and I believe no one can function well without this sort of self-check. However, I do not do it effectively, and this I really like to learn. Do read recent articles on the science of spirituality on NPR that relate to the effects of meditation on health. Fascinating findings even if you do not entirely believe. And for those of us who do, me and my boys, we shall meditate 15 minutes tonight. I will report on how Ollie does with this. Now go meditate or smile!

Bon Mercredi!

and

Ciao!