Helpful Approach for Hard Times in Life
Life Help
Hard Times Help
If you have lived, unfortunately you have also suffered. We all come up against hard times in life, which can at times push us to our very limits. Sometimes we wonder when the storm will end and the skies will clear. Well there is a another approach to these storms, besides praying and pleading to the heavens for a reprieve 
, and I want to share with you this helpful technique and my recent experience with wielding it.
For a myriad of reasons lately I have been confronted with a bout of insomnia. To a person who’s plate is quite full and to whom the early morning time is precious for spiritual work and meditation, this initially proved to be a source of considerable frustration. I tried several natural techniques to combat this condition, with some success, but finally decided to use a novel approach to this situation. I decided to ask the question, "What would a Spiritual Master do in this situation?" This question gave me a clear path for how to use this negative situation for positive growth. The answer was to forget about the traditional approaches to meditation, such as sitting cross-legged, or meditating at the crack of dawn, and instead to use the periods of insomnia for meditation in bed.
So now I am a master at meditating horizontally . In the past I have indicated the value of napping to facilitate enlightenment experiences (3 Simple Tips to Invite Enlightenment), and my stop start sleep pattern essentially created this type of scenario for me naturally. So for the past few weeks I have been having a torrid affair with Infinity. I have visited the endless space from where all thoughts originate, enjoyed bliss beyond description and last night experienced the incredible power of pure energy coursing through my various chakras and brain centers. So now, I again look forward to the end of the day and happily invite Mr. Insomnia to come and plague me, so I can respond like a Master and enjoy some more escapades with Infinity.
In Kundalini Yoga there is a slightly odd saying, "First you fake it and then you make it," or perhaps is originated elsewhere, but I came across it for the first time during my teacher’s training, and that is along the lines of what I am advising here. I am saying that when hard time come in life, see if you can act at that time like a Spiritual Master would. Ask yourself what would a great Saint do at this time? How would a Jesus approach this situation? What would a Buddha do? What would a Krishna do? What would a Guru Nanak do? Then do the same. By using this approach, the qualities of the Master whom you are looking to emulate will slowly emerge in you.
Really, such hard times are only there to help you grow. That is their purpose. To remind you of your attachments and create the necessary friction for you, so you make the effort to go beyond their root cause. Understanding the value of these challenges is key to your spiritual growth, so don’t let them get you down, instead approach them like a Master and Transcend!
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November 19th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
i feel for you Anmol. I’ve been through the insomnia. You have too much energy trapped in your head. You need to open up your front channel. Look a little further east to taoist practices. Mantak Chia has documented almost everything. Love and light.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
[...] Some time ago, in the article Helpful Approach for Hard Times in Life, I discussed my fight with insomnia and how I was trying to make the most of my sleepless nights. Well, despite the extra meditation I was getting to practice while lying awake at night, curing my insomnia was important so I could get my life back on a healthy and productive schedule. [...]
January 27th, 2010 at 4:39 am
[...] Helpful Approach for Hard Times in Life [...]
September 29th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Hi TZ,
Sounds like a version of Yoga Nidra. Thanks for sharing, and yes that can certainly be helpful in fighting insomnia.
Best,
Anmol
September 29th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Hi Ben,
Very well put. Thanks for your input.
Best,
Anmol
September 29th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hi Debra,
What a fantastic prayer!!! Thank you for sharing it and your experiences with how you deal with difficulties.
I plan to get this prayer out to others for sure.
Best,
Anmol
September 28th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Thanks you so much for sharing your insomnia experiences with us Anmol. As you know, I have had some pretty serious relationship challenges in the past year and I have also “faked it” from time to time – putting on a happy face in order to step out into the world and function.
And you are absolutely right about hard times being rich learning opportunities. It is so difficult to see it as such while in the midst of trials but I have found that when I am able to overcome the need to try to bring the situation under control, and rather relax into acceptance, I see positive possibilities or new perspectives to which I was blind before.
And yes, your idea of asking “What would a Spiritual Master do?” is very helpful.
I have found myself during this time remembering the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and reciting it as the deep desire of my own heart, as though it came from my own soul:
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred- let me sow love.
Where there is injury- pardon.
Where there is discord- harmony.
Where there is despair- hope,
Where there is darkness- light.
Where there is sadness – joy.
Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console…
To be understood as to understand…
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it is in dying that we are born into eternal life.
These words seem to unlock something deep within me and I feel a flood of well-being come into me (or perhaps through me) and whatever had been so troubling, seems to melt away effortlessly.
Love and Light Dear Friend,
Debra
September 28th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Very nice, Anmol.
I’m surprised at how many places I’ve seen the ‘fake it until you make it’ advice. I think many people miss the value of it.
Some think it is useless, and discard it (particularly in ‘spiritual’ circles).
Some have no intention of ‘making it’… and assume ‘faking it’ is the whole game.
But ultimately, it makes pretty simple sense… you have to act like a Buddha to recognize that you are a Buddha…
keep smiling,
Ben
September 26th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
[...] Helpful Approach for Hard Times in Life [...]
September 25th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
There’s an advanced technique, where you make your consciousness travel all around your body, from your toes to your head, asking to each part to feel more and more relaxed. Usually, I don’t have time to get to the head as I fall asleep when I get close to my chest ;-)