There’s this misconception around meditation…
Many believe it’s about freeing yourself from your thoughts & feelings completely. Your mind being utterly still & blank.
Good luck with that.

What I have found through yoga trainings, meditation training, sound healing, vipasana studies, etc. to be more true is the ability to feel your feelings, to be present with them, to hold space to understand them – and to let them flow through you without holding an attachment. 

In yoga you will often hear the term “monkey mind.” This comes from the constant chatter and distractions that your mind will try to play on you while you try to be present with it and calm down. Very often as you are calming your mind, this noise or distraction will pop up. We are so used to it that we usually don’t even notice it at first and follow it along.

What am I doing later? What do I need from the grocery? How is so-and-so getting along? & on & on…

& when we do notice that our minds have been pulled away, we get upset with ourselves. Beat ourselves up. We are supposed to be meditating, being present – how could we have dropped the ball and allowed this distraction?! How long have we even been distracted for??

I invite you to not beat yourself up when this happens. Instead, be gentle and understanding with yourself. Understand that it’s part of the practice. The mind is like a muscle. The more that we bring awareness and calmness to it, the easier it will become over time. Eventually we will be able to notice when the distractions and monkey mind chatter try to sneak it. Then we will recognize it for what it is, and be able to let it go. 

In this way we are not neglecting the parts of ourselves that are human and pushing away our feelings- we are changing our response to them. Allowing ourselves more space to respond how we wish instead of reacting emotionally. We have always been in control of ourselves & how we respond, we only need the mindfulness to do so. 

& just like all things that are worth having, it takes time & effort. 

I have included a meditation below to help bring some mindfulness into your day!

Also- a little update!

I want to express my gratitude for your continuous support of my work. From now on, I will be sharing my monthly journals exclusively on my Patreon account, specifically for those who are part of the Good Vibe Tier. I pour my love and attention into each journal, ensuring that you receive only the best content.

As I prepare to move back to Ohio and experience some shifts in my life, I am currently reevaluating my focus. During this transitional period, I will be posting one yoga video per month on my facebook page & e-mail groups until further notice.

I am actively exploring how to integrate my online content, in-person classes, massage, energy-work, and sound healing/meditation in Ohio. Rest assured, I will keep you all updated on any developments!

In addition, I have exciting plans to offer discounts, give-aways, exclusive content, and early access to upcoming events via my Patreon account. If this catches your interest, feel free to check it out using this link. https://www.patreon.com/jessicasjoyride

Remember, the first week is completely free, and afterwards, it’s only $5 per month.

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You can find the patreon link here

Best, 
Jessica ‘Joy’ Holt

Finding the Breath Guided Meditation Video