About my Daily Ritual
January 15, 2023 | 20 CommentsAudio-only version is here.
Meditation practice begins at 7:46.
Dear Open Heart Project,
I try to meditate every day. But because I am a human being, it does not always work out. When I am unable (or unwilling! human being!) to practice, I notice a distinct difference in the way my day rolls out. It feels bumpier, less integrated, heavier. There is something about routine, ritual, consistency that invites magic. What is this magic? Where does it come from? Please have a listen to hear more. And if you have a daily ritual that supports you, I’d love to know what it is. Please let me know in the comments.
As always, I invite you to join the Open Heart Project sangha to connect more closely with me and other practitioners and find countless resources to support you on your journey. There is more info here. It would be great to see you there!
May all the magic in the world be at your fingertips.
With love, Susan
PS This topic is on my mind because I’ve been working on a series called “Invoking Magic: The Power of Daily Ritual.”
categorized in: meditation, open heart project
20 Comments
Thanks for reminding me of the importance of containment and rituals, incl. morning pages. I love writing in the morning (after sitting for 15m).
I always notice when i fall off the cushion for a day/week/longer that my days miss structure and ease and groundedness.
And i love your hair! XxBb
Another ritual of mine: morning walk, 50-60 minutes. Such a good way to start the day.
In the winter I prefer to meditate in the evening. Can people, apart from Tenzin Palmo, the cave nun, sit when the room is ice cold?
i’d love to take a walk with you sometime! And personally, I find it really hard to sit in a cold room. That said, in Austin, I swim in a cold pool every single day.
Miss you!!
Well done, daily swims.
Next time youre here, you can take a walk with me and I’ll swim with you! we’ll throw in a bike ride and complete a triathlon.
LoveX
dreamy!!!
Thank you!!!! xoxox
I do yoga and/or walk on alternate days in the a.m. before work. I’ll also do a short reading from The Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele. Helps set my day positively.
Sounds lovely, Susan. Many thanks for sharing. With love, S
I wake up early, shower, say a mantra about my girlfriend and me. Then I meditate for 30 minutes, go on devotional for 30 minutes. Read some spiritual writings for 30 minutes.
This sounds great, Dominic! With love, S
Susan, today you have launched my morning in the best way possible. My daily ritual was born in 1997 and thrives to this day. Your question has caused me to look back to those early days and recognize the evolution of my practice which has supported me through the ups and downs and “change is constant” life.
I wonder how and when I found YOU, it was many many year ago and OHP was new.
Three books that somehow led me to you are: “life’s companion by Christina Baldwin, “miraculous living” by Rabbi Shoni Labowitz, and The Artists Way.
My current morning practice includes sitting with one of your meditations, reading the Book of Awakening (mark nepo), and writing for 15 minutes. It’s simply my habit, much like brushing my teeth.
I’m celebrating my 70th birthday soon, and I intend keep my morning rituals into the next decade.
With appreciation for all you offer in this world.
And now you’ve launched my morning in the best way possible! Many thanks for sharing your daily ritual and also congratulations for the continuity. That is so great!! With love, S
Thanks for this video. I appreciate the explicit teachings and reminders about the techniques and practice. I was feeling a bit lost on my own.
Love the insight about the importance of rituals and routines.
So glad we can practice it all together. Sangha is so important. With love, S
My late husband gifted me “The Artist’s Way” 6 months before he passed. It’s taken 4 and 1/2 years but I started it on his birthday this past November. Funny how the thing I resisted most has become an important part of my morning, yes, “the morning pages” ! Ha ha.
Thank you for your insight 🙏🏻
What a lovely gift–and an even lovelier way to feel connected to your late husband. With love, S
Hi Susan, it’s funny that you would speak of auspicious coincidences and synchronicities since I just committed to a new morning routine starting yesterday, which includes meditation along other spiritual rituals. So this video couldn’t come at a better time to reinforce the importance of this daily morning practice. Thank you! Daniel.
Love this!
Susan, As always, I so appreciate your guidance. My a.m. ritual: sitting meditation with the 9am EST offerings, on Saturday a yoga class, on Sunday sitting & a book discussion (currently Cynicism & Magic); breakfast after these and then a lovely sweet walk with my Cockapoo. Before I start my sitting, most recently (again) I chant the “Hum, on a…” and then the 4 lines of Gampopa. I look forward to incorporating your suggestions of the journaling. May PEACE and a smile find you today and always.
Sunday sitting is with my local Shambhala sangha. We are small, but committed to holding space to practice together.