“So, Tammy, I hear that you have taken up meditation. Why would you do such a thing? It seems like a big waste of time to me.”

“Well Carla, work and life were getting stressful, I was drinking more than I wanted to, and I was gaining weight.”

“Gaining weight? You took up meditation to lose weight? How does that work?”

“Meditation helps me to become more aware of myself, from my own stress and emotions, to the way I react to stress. Eating and drinking were my ways of dealing with stress, and I didn’t even know it.”

“Now that you mention it, it does look like you’ve lost weight. Are you working out?”

“Well, yes, since I’ve become more aware of myself, I’ve also started taking better care of myself. I’m walking more and taking time to get to the gym a couple times a week.”

“How are Mark and the kids? Weren’t you and Mark having some difficulties?”

“We’re all doing well. I can’t say that my meditation has changed Mark in any way, but I have become more patient and I try to be kinder when we talk about stressful things. We’re both enjoying being together more.”

“Well that’s great, I’m happy for you.”

“Hey Jerry, How’s it going?”

“Good, good, Sam, how about yourself?”

“I’d doing OK.”

“You look good, to be honest I usually avoid saying hello because I never know what mood you’re going to be in. Do still have that world famous temper?”

“Actually, I took up meditation a few months ago, and my temper has been a lot less of a problem lately.”

“Really? How come?”

Well, I’m more aware of myself, so I can catch myself before anger becomes an issue. I can even change my state of mind to see the other person’s point of view when I need to. It really helps when I’m working with difficult customers.”

“I’ll bet it helps at home too.”

“You know it. Martha and I are getting along a lot better lately.”

“Well I’m glad to hear it.”

These are just a couple of the kinds of stories you may hear from people who practice Christian Tantric Meditation. Becoming self aware, letting go of burdens and resentments and fears, and being open to patience, love, and hope can go a long way in adjusting a person’s attitude.

Every action starts with a motivation. Hunger, loneliness, anger, joy and hopefulness, these are all motivators. These feelings turn into thoughts, plans for action to either resolve negative feelings or keep positive feelings going.

After thinking through options for acting on our feelings, we respond with action. We go to the refrigerator, we call a friend, we shout at someone, or we may decide to just take a walk or read a book. Our actions all start with motivations.

It stands to reason that if our underlying feelings are positive and hopeful, our actions will be positive and hopeful also. We will take better care of ourselves, we will be kinder and more patient with others, our relationships will be more satisfying. Challenges can and will continue to happen, but we will be more resilient, able to handle things while maintaining a sense of hope and balance in our lives.

Especially at the start of the year, we tend to make resolutions. Our resolutions may include joining a gym or quitting smoking or drinking, or being more social or taking better care of ourselves in general. As a society, we tend to be action oriented, so we make resolutions to adjust our behaviors.

For some, adjusting behaviors can have a positive effect on feelings and attitudes, and action oriented resolutions can help cultivate long term healing and growth in a person’s thoughts and feelings.

For many people, however, taking action isn’t enough. Changes in attitude, in underlying thoughts and feelings are needed. This is where meditation can help.

Meditation is a mental exercise. Just as it takes time to build up physical strength and endurance, it also takes time to build up habitually healthy thoughts and feelings.

We are now opening registration for our next set of introductory meditation classes in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.  Our next  set of classes will be held Saturday January 23rd.  Our location is in Sautee Georgia which is near Helen Georgia, about an hour from Gwinnett and about 1.5 hours from Metro Atlanta.

People who attend our classes learn skills for dealing with stress and increasing enjoyment of life and personal freedom through letting go of negative thoughts and emotions.  More advanced classes explore increasing Spirituality through Divine Communion practice, and exercising Compassion with healthy boundaries for self and others.  People who are new to meditation and people who are experienced with meditation find our classes helpful.

Our Saturday morning class from 10:30-11:30 teaches basic meditation skills including breath centered mind stabilization and mindfulness.  Our afternoon class from 1:00-2:00 explores more advanced skills designed to Open our Consciousness.  Our classes generally include about 20-30 minutes of instruction and discussion, and 20-30 minutes of meditation skill practice.

Registration is open from 10:00 to 10:30 AM, or visit our Workshops page and sign up on line, or call 678-358-8775.  Our rates are very reasonable, 25.00 for a class or 40.00 for signing up for two classes or bringing a friend.

See you there!