{ PREMIER ISSUE 2018 } KHARISMA MAGAZINE
27 a successful entrepreneur , businessperson , artist , writer , or parent , take a few minutes and think about how you should define success on your terms — not based on what society thinks you should do . One effective approach is to practice rituals that will help you raise your game .
But what about the “ ritual ” part of the equation ? If you are like some people , the word ritual may have a negative connotation .
If you look it up on Dictionary . com , the first definition is this : “ An established or prescribed procedure for a religious or other rite .”
The problem is that we typically think of it in a religious sense . I am not using it in this sense , though for me , even then it has a positive connotation .
I define ritual as “ a prescribed procedure for achieving a specific result .” In other words , it ’ s kind of like a recipe . An early morning ritual can do the same thing for your productivity and the effectiveness . It won ’ t guarantee your results , but it will set you up for the possibility of success .
By the way , the truth is that you ALREADY have a ritual . Rituals are inescapable . The only question is whether you are intentional about your early morning ritual and whether your ritual is producing the results you want in your life .
Anyone can design a more successful day by following these eight rituals : RITUAL # 1 : PRAYER & MEDITATION RITUAL # 2 : PRACTICE OF GRATITUDE RITUAL # 3 : JOURNALING RITUAL # 4 : EXERCISE & WORKOUT RITUAL # 5 : EATING HEALTHY RITUAL # 6 : DRINKING WATER WITH LEMON RITUAL # 7 : READING AND LEARNING FROM OTHER
THOUGHT LEADERS AND EXPERTS RITUAL # 8 : THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING YOUR BED
RITUAL 1 . Prayer & Meditation
“ To understand the immeasurable , the mind must be extraordinarily quiet , still .”
~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
We should be quiet in order to listen . We always talk and God has no chance to respond . So the prayer is the talking , the demand ; and meditation is the listening . Most people just keep praying constantly or always make noise or always talk , and God has no chance to tell them what to do . No wonder their prayers are unanswered . God has no opportunity .
Meditation is the practice of shifting our mind ’ s awareness from normal activity of the mind . During this normal state , our mind is engaged in analyzing , observing , judging , deciding and accomplishing . With meditation , you can shift the focus and experience a more calm , peaceful and silent state .
Benefits of Meditation
• Lower blood pressure
• Better sleep
• Less anxiety
• Faster healing
• Decreased use of drugs , alcohol , and cigarettes
• Lower cholesterol
• Stronger immune response
Setting the Foundation
• The best time to meditate is early in the morning upon rising and in the evening before going to bed .
• Start off your meditation practice with 5 to 15 minute periods per day .
• Use your Luxe Cove or space of your own where an environment of quiet and peace is present .
• Unplug from any distractions , such as the TV , phone , computer or other distractions .
• You can incorporate calm , soothing music if it does not break your ability to concentrate . Refer to Meditating with Music for a list of music options .
• Meditating outside under a tree , at the beach or a quiet place can also bring calm and inner peace .
Meditating with Music Meditating with music can be a very soothing experience . Simply listen to it with your undivided attention . This will engage and flood your body , mind and emotions with the vibrational qualities of the music . In meditating with music , the focus is the music . You can sit or lie down , close your eyes with the music playing softly in the background . To enhance the experience , you can use headphones as this intensifies the experience .
My favourite music options are from Sonicaid . This music is scientifically designed with a special focus on emotional and intellectual response and social psychological connections by Dr . Lee Bartel .
Now that you understand the practice of meditation , you will need to make a conscious effort to establish meditation as part of your lifestyle . Also , note what time in the morning and evening you will meditate .
TALK