November/December 2007 
 INWARD BOUND
 Taking Time Out for Time In
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 A Great Place to Meet Yourself
 A journey to the gap

Apples The practice of meditation takes you on a journey where you can find out who you really are - and make conscious contact with the creative energy of life itself - the real you. But how can you do that, where is the 'real you'?

You are not your thoughts, right? You are the one who thinks the thoughts. But with 60,000 thoughts a day, about one every two seconds, there really isn't room to meet the thinker of your thoughts. Between one thought and the next are all possibilities, but we habitually think the same thoughts day in, day out. Each of us is usually focused on the world outside ourselves so we rarely consciously experience the space between our thoughts in our everyday activities.

In meditation we can use a technique that allows our awareness to settle to quieter and quieter levels of the mind,and eventually slip into the gap. This is the experience of pure silence, where all possibilities exist. It is not something we can 'try' to do, because trying keeps us at the level of the thoughts. It is something that happens when we practice meditation correctly.

The 'gap' is a word to describe the pure potentiality of the silent spaces between your thoughts. And when you experience the gap and spend time there for segments of your meditation, you will have a different experience when you return to the world of form and phenomenon. You will then know your answer to the question: "Why meditate?"


The experience of the gap can be called glimpsing the soul or the Spirit. It is the direct experience of our own essential nature, which is Spirit, or pure consciousness. It is difficult to describe the true experience of slipping into the gap. It's as if I were describing the taste of an apple to you: you never get the direct experience until you eat one yourself.

Pure consciousness, or Spirit, is beyond space and time, and beyond thought, therefore it cannot really be described or understood. I think the closest we can come to expressing it is saying 'awareness', but it is awareness in general, not awareness of any one thing.

Pure consciousness is the force that underlies all creation. It is the field of intelligence that underlies all intelligence. Pure consciousness is an abstract, yet very real force. Abstract and real, like gravity. We can't point to gravity, yet we can feel its effect. That is how Spirit is.

Anytime we allow ourselves to be silent, truly silent, as in meditation or in nature, we have the potential to slip into the gap and experience Spirit. And that is a great reason to meditate.


Learn more about Primordial Sound Meditation 


 Q & A
 Do I need to practice yoga to meditate?

Desert Meditator Yoga is becoming more popular these days. When I used to get on the floor to practice yoga postures in the gym in the early 80's, people thought I was odd. But now it is completely accepted and popular.

Today, most people think of yoga as purely the physical postures, but meditation is part of yoga too. The physical exercises or postures are not necessary to practice meditation, though they can enhance your experience.

The discovery of Yoga has been attributed to a great sage from India named Patanjali -over a thousand years ago. Patanjali wrote verses about the union of mind, body, spirit, and environment in the book the Yoga Sutras. He shares that yoga poses, breathing exercises, peaceful behaviors, relaxation and concentration all contribute to the preparation of a more settled nervous system, one that has less stress and is more conducive to meditation.

There are several sitting postures the body can assume when meditating, although the classic yogic posture is sitting comfortably on a mat or a pillow with spine erect and legs folded, hands resting on the knees.

Sitting cross-legged, or in the lotus pose, works well for some people and it looks really cool. But this pose does nothing for meditation that can't be done in other ways. The main virtue of the cross-legged posture is that it's handy if you have no furniture, are homeless, or are outdoors.

I do enjoy the cross-legged pose. I've used it about half the time in my eighteen years of meditation. If you can sit with total comfort that way for half an hour without your feet going to sleep or getting uncomfortable - even a little - then go ahead. Remember, though, hurting your knees or being uncomfortable has nothing to do with meditating correctly.


Read more about meditation 


 Deep Meditation Retreat
 Meditate. Illuminate. Integrate.

Giving and Receiving Deepen and enhance your meditation practice and spiritual connection during a deep meditation retreat weekend. It is the perfect way reconnect with your true self and stabilize a sense of inner peace. And, as you become more intimate with your inner self and your true desires will be revealed. You'll find inspiration and energy in the physical beauty and power of Sedona.

You will be expertly and gently guided through:
  • Deep Meditations - Individual and Group, Advanced Practices
  • Gentle Yoga Practices featuring Kundalini postures
  • Mindful Walks in the Wilderness
  • Undoing Beliefs that Don't Serve You -through the Work of Byron Katie
  • Body Intelligence Tips - Eating for Perfect Digestion
  • Yoga of Breath - Pranayama
  • Mindfulness Practices - Meditation in Activity
  • Delicious Organic, Vegetarian Meals
  • Optional Ayurvedic Consultations & Massage Treatments


  • The private retreat location is settled among majestic red rock views adjacent to the national forest in Sedona. The red rock monuments soar above the juniper- covered hillsides and can inspire and energize you. The night sky is clear and awesome and will fill you with wonder. Sedona has been described as intense and profound, heart-opening and life- changing. It is the perfect place to embrace stillness and take a time out for yourself. Space is very limited.

    Sign up for the Retreat, February 16 - 18, 2008 


 Promotions
 Discounts for SynchroDestiny in Sedona

SynchroDestiny in Sedona Receive an exclusive discount for any Chopra Center program at the La Costa Spa in Southern California or on courses around the country, even the SynchroDestiny program in Sedona in May of 2008. These discounts are applied on top of those discounts normally available for signing up early, companion rates, etc.

The key to these discounts is to be referred by a certified Chopra Center instructor like me, and to contact Kali Demeter, a Program Consultant at the Chopra Center, at 888-424- 6772 x 1631, or email kali@chopra.com. Let her know I referred you and you will be eligible for most programs at a reduced rate.

Find out more about SynchroDestiny


 Learn to Meditate in Sedona or Scottsdale

PSMClick here Primordial Sound Meditation is the meditation technique featured at the Chopra Center. Learn to meditate in a special one day program and take advantage of a special rate of $260, that is 20% off.

Classes are limited to five students.

$260 Expires: December 31, 2007

Find out when the next class is scheduled


Wishing you fulfillment of your desires,

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