Skip to main content

Tonight with Dr. Edward - Unlocking Inner Peace Through Spoken Chanting: A Journey into Meditation

Greetings! Today, I have the pleasure of sharing a transformative experience that has touched my life deeply and led me to discover the power of meditation. If you're someone who has ever struggled with the idea of meditation, you're not alone. I, too, was once perplexed by it until I learned that meditation takes various forms and doesn't follow a one-size-fits-all approach.

My journey into meditation was a result of necessity, as I found myself in the role of a meditation teacher. This compelled me to explore different techniques and approaches that resonated with me and those I was guiding. One of the most impactful methods I encountered was chanting – a practice that has its roots in ancient spiritual traditions.

Chanting, in my experience, is a profound way to engage in meditation. It aligns with the Science of Mind philosophy, which uses repeated affirmations to redirect the mind toward positive thoughts and beliefs. The great thinker Ernest Holmes emphasized the importance of dwelling on the meaning of affirmations until they become deeply ingrained in our consciousness.

To illustrate the power of repetition, I often refer to the analogy of a muddy glass of water representing our minds. The affirmations act as a steady drip of clear water, gradually displacing the muddy content until we achieve mental clarity.

During my meditation journey, I've come to realize that there's a gentle art to leading our minds towards accepting new beliefs. It's not about force or coercion; instead, it's like leading a friend through a soothing repetition of ideas until they resonate deeply. This practice has been especially beneficial when I've encountered ideas that I'm not immediately comfortable with – it gives me the time and space to absorb and embrace them fully.

Take the example of a new concept I learned – the idea of oneness. While intellectually, I understood it, it took time for me to truly integrate it into my being. Chanting became a tool to repeatedly remind myself of this truth until it became an inherent part of my perspective.

Adding rhythm and music to affirmations takes the practice a step further. Music and rhythm have a unique ability to tap into our emotions and leave a lasting imprint. As an illustration, think about how you're more likely to remember a song than a random piece of information. This phenomenon makes the practice of chanting even more potent and memorable.

Now, dear reader, I invite you to join our community tonight at 7 p.m. at the Center in embracing these transformative practices. We will delve into the power of repetition

Just as I had the privilege of discovering meditation through teaching, I encourage you to embark on this journey with an open heart. The practice of chanting and repetition can truly reshape your thinking and lead you toward a more fulfilled and harmonious life. Join us tonight, and together, let's unlock the incredible potential within us through the beauty of meditation.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wednesday Evening Service with Dr. Edward Viljoen – New Location Tonight!

Join us for our evening service This Wednesday, October 2, at Congregation Shomrei Torah (2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404) from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m .  New Location Our usual location at the Center is being used for the High Holy Days celebration, so we’re gathering at this new spot for one night only. The Cathars of France Dr. Edward Viljoen, who recently returned from a European vacation, will lead the evening with a fascinating discussion about how we form our personal beliefs about life. He’ll share stories from his travels through Southern France, including his time in the land of the Cathars—a Christian sect from the 12th to 14th century whose beliefs stood in stark contrast to the dominant church of their time. Their tragic history raises powerful questions about what happens when deeply held beliefs are challenged. How do you respond when your beliefs are questioned? In this casual, engaging setting, Dr. Edward will guide us in reflecting on how we came to our ow...

Sacred Wednesday Singing Event with Karen Drucker on November 20

A Taizé service is a contemplative, meditative practice inspired by a monastic community Taizé in France. Its simplicity, repetition, and silence characterize it, creating a space for deep reflection and prayer. The service features short, repetitive songs that are easy to learn and sing meditatively, helping the participants focus on the divine. Taizé services often include periods of silence, prayers, and readings. The service intends to foster an experience of inner peace, unity, and communion. Karen Druker will provide a Taizé service for our community on Wednesday, November 20, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Here is what Karen says about the experience: “Music has the ability to bypass the mind and sink into the heart.” Breathing, stillness, rest, calm, allowing yourself to just “be” and not “do” for a little while. Settling into your heart and dropping into that place of inner knowing. With all that is going on in the world right now, give yourself a “time out” and allow yourself to be...

Wednesday at the Center - Join Us for an Evening of Song, Connection, and Spiritual Unity

Tomorrow evening at 7 p.m., we welcome you to an inspiring community service at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, led by Dr. Edward Viljoen. The service will feature music by Christopher Fritzsche and Rev. Russ Legear, creating an atmosphere where spiritual unity, reflection, and heartfelt connection can flourish. What to Expect:  In our beautiful social hall at 2075 Occidental Road, we will come together for an evening filled with community singing , powerful call-and-response readings , and moments of meditative peace . This service is designed to reconnect, reflect, and rejuvenate in the presence of like-minded individuals who seek harmony and a more profound sense of oneness. Community Singing Be moved by the melodies of beloved, familiar New Thought songwriters. Imagine voices blending in songs like “I Am So Blessed” by Karen Drucker :  “I am so blessed, I am so blessed. I am so grateful for all that I have. I am so blessed, I am so blessed.\ I am so grateful, ...