peace and quiet

I'm off to spend three days at a silent ashram. What's that you say? And why would anyone do such a thing? Well after having decluttered every square inch of my house and three months of stopping spending money unconsciously, it is now time I did a little interior work on myself. I will be immersed in complete silence and concentrating on deep meditation. I've read that being silent is like observing the space in a room instead of the objects in it. I've also heard it said that silence does not separate us from our inner world, but rather links us to it. If you have been reading my blog for any time at all you know how important good, clean, compassionate food is to me. I spend a great deal of time, growing, reading about, shopping for and preparing food that I will eat. This food nourishes my body and helps keep me healthy. But what about the nutritive value of the thoughts I put in my head? Honestly, at times I'm putting in what could only be described as sheer junk food. Guilt, worry, perfectionism and control to name a few.
Silent meditation is a beautiful way to clear negative thoughts and replace them with healthier ones. So off I go and I promise not to come back chanting.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a beautiful meditation on peace that I hope speaks to you as much as it speaks to me.

i am in the temple of quietness...

peace fills my body, peace fills my heart and dwells within my love.

peace within, without, everywhere.

infinite peace surrounds my life and permeates all the moments of my existence.

peace unto myself

peace unto my family

peace unto my nation

peace unto my world

peace unto my cosmos.

~p. yogananda