Relaxation Music for Meditation

Have you noticed that today, almost everyone is addicted to something? Some of these addictions are subtle, some conscious, some not. If you look deep, you will almost always uncover one. Tommy Rosen, an addiction recovery expert and yoga teacher, states it well:

“Addiction is a disease of lack. In an effort to fill a void, an addict engages in behaviors that unfortunately create more lack, deplete the body, damaging important body systems, losing precious life force."

Alcohol & Drugs

An advocate of the 12 Step Program, Rosen notes that it lacks 3 key elements to a solid recovery leading to a healthy, happy life: “body, breath and diet."

“I learned the hard way what it means to be sober while still stuck in the energy of addiction, " said Rosen. He was plagued by “other addictions, stresses and dis-ease" well into his recovery until he engaged in body-mind practices, such as yoga and meditation, which offered him freedom.

Meditation can relieve or completely transform any addictive behavior. Addiction, as Rosen alluded, spans far beyond drugs and alcohol.

Food

Society has more issues around food today than ever in history. People are addicted to fast food, fried food, processed food, sugar, caffeine, soda pops, and the array of desserts and candies.

Some people abuse food and fall into regret immediately after each indulgence. This guilt further depletes their body beyond the initial physical repercussions. The energetic costs of addiction and guilt are real.

Food addiction comes in many forms and in varying degrees. Some people over eat, almost consistently. Others flat our binge. Some starve themselves. Some just eat the wrong foods, over and over again, and feel guilty about it almost every day. This is no way to live.

Addiction’s Galore

Then there’s the slew of others addictions such as TV, sex, video games, internet, pornography, and shopping.

Even mistreating people (yourself or others) is kin to addiction. This can be as subtle as internal negative talk, the need to be in control, gossip, or full-fledged emotional/physical abuse of self or others. Negative habitual tendencies do nothing but bring you and others pain. When you cannot stop yourself, it’s an addiction, whether you are aware of it or not.

Meditation helps you “wake up" and recognize that most of your pain and suffering stems from your mind. The goal with meditation is to be here, be happy, now… and to unearth the cause of your pain (mind), so you can live a more fulfilled and conscious life.

Freedom in the Now.

The monkey mind is most often dwelling on the past or planning the future. Yet, the most important moment is now. All of life happens in the now, the more you embrace each moment the more fully you experience life.

The past is the past. You cannot change it. While planning for the future is important, dedicated time should be allotted for such tasks. Mindless chatter focused on the future is futile unless harnessed and focused in a proper direction.

The more you can embrace each moment, the more alive you are. When you are present, you are truly living. This is a form of freedom.

Ram Dass, an American born Yogi of Hinduism brought this message to the West in the 60’s with his book Be Here Now. His work influenced numerous writers, entrepreneurs, and musicians. George Harrison, the renowned lead guitarist of the Beatles, wrote the hit Be Here Now, continuing the penetration of this truth in the West.