Meditation for Inspiration

A few years back my grandsons and I began brainstorming a book, "DT's Adventures in La Jolla Cove." (DT is a Diamond Turbot.) They were young, I moved away, and so the project was tabled. But days after I returned to San Diego, Jude, the oldest who is 11, says, "Mio, now that you're living here maybe we can work on our book." With boxes piled around the Hinterhaus (my tiny abode just steps from theirs), teaching a few classes, and being engaged with several client projects, I couldn't fathom starting one more project.

Why Not Now?

However, during a Tureya Meditation session with Laurie Seymour of The Baca Institute my idea of not now, changed to why not now? Laurie was speaking of inspiration and action, and during the meditation, I suddenly saw this project come to life. I visioned all the steps and the lessons that I'll be able to teach Jude and Max during the project––homeschooling modules in writing, illustrating, business development, web design, and marketing. Here's what unfolded:

• The Writing Process - brainstorming, studying the genre, outlining, drafting, and revision
• Illustrations - brainstorming sketches that match the content; drawing lessons (probably by their mama); and then computerizing the drawings (a learning opportunity for all)
• Marketing - studying comparative titles, making a list of influencers, and deciding who will receive a percentage of the profits (likely Birch Aquarium at Scripps)
• Website Design - where we’ll study landing pages and construct our launch platform, and more
• Business - contracts, income and expenses, and scheduling the commitment to our tasks
• Publishing - interior and cover design - proofing the designed copies, and uploading to IngramSpark, KDP, or another outlet

Ask to Be Inspired

All of this "downloaded" to me in a matter of minutes during meditation - emphasizing the importance of sitting still to receive inspiration. It's a practice that I engage in regularly, but something was different on this day. This time, I asked to be inspired. I just didn't specify what I wanted inspiration for or about. I engaged my curiosity and surrendered to whatever occurred. The guidance I received provided the solution to the overwhelm I was feeling about starting a new project. I was also concerned that I was disappointing the boys, and I certainly didn't want to model procrastination–-or not finishing what we started.

Michael Hyatt, who admittedly initially rejected the idea of slowing down, writes of the importance of mastering the art of stillness in one of his blogs. Here he says, "All the ancient wisdom literature points to the importance of this practice. Psalm 46:10 is representative: 'Be still and know that I am God.'"

He also shares the words of Mother Theresa, who said, "We need silence to be able to touch souls.” and "Abba Poeman, one of the ancient desert fathers, taught his disciples, 'If you are silent, you will have peace wherever you live.'”

Hyatt adds, "This is tremendously difficult in our media-rich, always-on, over-communicated society. Noise crowds into every empty space, leaving us spiritually, mentally, and emotionally exhausted."

So if you feel stuck on a project or with life in general, be willing to receive inspiration. Set aside some time to sit still. Then capture your inspiration by writing it down. I know if I hadn't picked up my sketch pad immediately after coming out of meditation, the ideas for this project would have faded away in the busyness of my day.

My stillness practice has provided oodles of answers to many of my life's problems - whether in relationships, career moves, or more.

And what's really nice, I've learned that once we open the door for inspiration by asking, the ideas continue to flow in. I keep the “DT’s Adventures” page of my sketchbook open on my desk. I frequently glance at it and jot down even more ideas. I may be doing yoga, running with the dog, or whipping up dinner, and something will pop in. I'm amazed at the process–-even though I've experienced it many times.

My advice is to:

• Set aside some time to be still each day––even if it's just for 15-minutes.
• Ask to be inspired.
• Keep a notepad handy, and write down any ideas that come to you.
• Then jump into action.

The boys and my daughter are excited to bring the first of “DT’s Adventures” to life. While "DT’s Adventures" will be starting in La Jolla Cove, we’ll be traveling the world exploring many places and learning about the aquatic environments and culture as we dive into our writing and publishing projects.

And who knows, maybe I'll add meditation practice to the modules, and see what happens.