The Power of Meditation, The iRest Way

I first experienced the power of meditation in 1970 during my first-ever yoga class at the San Francisco Integral Yoga Institute. I came into that initial class feeling sad, alone, isolated, and depressed and left feeling whole, healthy, joyful and in touch with and not-separate from the Mystery that has given birth to the entire cosmos. This initial glimpse of my essential nature awakened within me an insatiable desire to unravel the process I had just experienced, which I would later learn as Yoga Nidra. My yearning would eventually lead me to study with some of the most renowned teachers in the world and become adept as a teacher of Yoga Nidra, through years of personal practice and guiding thousands of students in its process.

In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, cultivating unshakable resilience and a joyful mindset has become more crucial than ever for realizing and embodying unbreakable well-being. Meditation is not just about positive thinking and wishful optimism; it is a powerful tool that can shape our lives, enhance our relationships, and enable us to meet the challenges we face on a daily basis.

A core theme in the realm of meditation is the realization, at the outset, that our birthright is, and we can experience at the outset of meditation, an innate felt-sense of wholeness that is beyond lack, need, or want; is incapable of being hurt or harmed; is never in need healing; is always whole and healthy; and is easily recognized and embodied no matter our circumstance. True meditation, such as in the iRest way, introduces us to our wholeness at the beginning, rather than as a goal to be achieved at some future moment. Then we are engaging meditation from our wholeness, rather than meditating to achieve and become whole, which makes a tremendous difference in all that follows as we take up the practice of meditation.

Another core theme is the mind-body connection. Research reveals that our thoughts and emotions directly influence our physical health and well-being. By understanding how to meet, greet, listen, and responds to our emotions and thoughts, we can reduce stress, boost our immune system, speed up healing processes, and realize unbreakable peace and well-being. Moreover, meditation fosters our birthright of empowerment and resilience, allowing us to navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and ease.

Another vital aspect of meditation is the ability to shift perspectives. By reframing negative situations or setbacks as opportunities for growth, we transform challenges into catalysts for personal development. This shift in perspective empowers us to feel in control of our lives and realize valuable lessons in every experience. By focusing on solutions and actions rather than problems, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and a creative future.

Gratitude and love are powerful practices of meditation. When we nourish gratitude and love, we shift our attention from what is lacking in our lives to what we already have and are. By regularly feeling and nourishing gratitude and love, for big and small everyday blessings, as well as gratitude and love for no reason at all, we invite positivity into our lives. Nourishing gratitude and love strengthens our relationships, improves our mental health, and increases our overall life satisfaction.

Meditation helps us develop a healthy relationship with ourselves. Self-love and self-acceptance play crucial roles in this process. By embracing our strengths and weaknesses, we develop a positive sense of self and self-esteem. When we practice self-compassion, we grow our capacity to be resilient in the face of adversity and realize our birthright of unshakable inner peace.

Core statements are phrases that we use to inquire into our true state of mind and being. For instance, during meditation we can inquire: “Is it true, I’m safe with myself. I don’t betray myself. I say yes when I mean yes, and no when I mean no. Is this true?” Statements like this help us unearth and heal destructive conditioned patterns and beliefs that lay in our subconscious mind blocking us from feeling our innate wholeness and well-being. By inquiring with core statements, we can overcome self-doubt and build a strong foundation for realizing our true potential as a human being. Core statements are simple, effective tools for realizing unbreakable confidence, esteem, motivation, and well-being.

The people and environments we surround ourselves with influence our thoughts and attitudes. By consciously choosing to spend time with positive, supportive individuals and communities, we amplify our own positive thinking, motivations, values, and meaning. Additionally, creating an environment that reflects our values and aspirations further enhances our overall resilience and well-being.

In a world where negativity often prevails, embracing the power of meditation, such as in the iRest way, is a transformative choice. By acknowledging the mind-body connection, shifting perspectives, nourishing gratitude, and self-love, utilizing core statement, and surrounding ourselves with positivity, we unlock our full potential as human beings and realize a fulfilling and meaningful life. Remember, meditation is not about denying the challenges of life but rather approaching them from unbreakable resilience, well-being, optimism, and a joyful mindset.

Richard C. Miller, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, author, researcher, yogic scholar, and spiritual teacher who has devoted his life to integrating Western psychology and neuroscience with the ancient nondual wisdom teachings of Yoga, Tantra, Advaita, Taoism, and Buddhism. Richard is the founder of iRest Institute, co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and founding past president of the Institute for Spirituality