“What is meditation? Pure fascination with this moment, exactly as it is”.
Jeff Foster, a survivor of suicidal depression and now a popular spiritual teacher, invites us to discover the “life-saving” inner sanctuary of true meditation. He re-envisions meditation as a vast non-dual field of Presence, accessible to all of us in each and every moment of our lives; an effortless place where we can be our authentic selves—imperfections, doubts, fears, exhaustion, and all. Meditation does not involve zoning out, numbing ourselves to the pain of living, or trying to become spiritually enlightened. It means diving into “the sacred mess of this present moment” with curiosity and child-like wonder, drenching our deepest wounds with a loving Awareness, bringing light to the darkness. In true meditation, we come to discover: We are perfect, exactly as we are.
Copyright Jeff Foster
According to an article I read on the Medium Platform, Author Jeff Foster wrote a fantastic poem on April 2018 that, sure enough, I wish to share with you.
So, I went through the courteous channel.
On July 09th, 2022, I found Jeff Foster on Facebook and wrote: Hello, Jeff Foster. I came across your lovely poem on Medium. How gorgeous. And now, I’d like your permission to feature the poem on my website. Of course, all rights are yours. It’s a tremendous poem that I wish to share so others can benefit from it. This is me extending you the courtesy you deserve. Keep writing… All the best.
- 8w ago…
- I’m not active on Facebook, and it took me this long to check. How lovely to find Jeff’s reply.
- Jeff Foster (www.lifewithoutacentre.com)Selma Writes Of course, please share it with my blessings!!
48- 6w ago: To me! How cool is this?
AND SO, MY LOVELIES, HERE IT IS. ENJOY.
NOT MY WORDS
all rights reserved to Jeff Foster:
HOW I BECAME A WARRIOR
Once, I ran from fear
so fear controlled me.
Until I learned to hold fear like a newborn.
Listen to it, but not give in.
Honour it, but not worship it.
Fear could not stop me anymore.
I walked with courage into the storm.
I still have fear,
but it does not have me.
Once, I was ashamed of who I was.
I invited shame into my heart.
I let it burn.
It told me, “I am only trying
to protect your vulnerability”.
I thanked shame dearly,
and stepped into life anyway,
unashamed, with shame as a lover.
Once, I had great sadness
buried deep inside.
I invited it to come out and play.
I wept oceans. My tear ducts ran dry.
And I found joy right there.
Right at the core of my sorrow.
It was heartbreak that taught me how to love.
Once, I had anxiety.
A mind that wouldn’t stop.
Thoughts that wouldn’t be silent.
So I stopped trying to silence them.
And I dropped out of the mind,
and into the Earth.
Into the mud.
Where I was held strong
like a tree, unshakeable, safe.
Once, anger burned in the depths.
I called anger into the light of myself.
I felt its shocking power.
I let my heart pound and my blood boil.
Listened to it, finally.
And it screamed, “Respect yourself fiercely now!”.
“Speak your truth with passion!”.
“Say no when you mean no!”.
“Walk your path with courage!”.
“Let no one speak for you!”
Anger became an honest friend.
A truthful guide.
A beautiful wild child.
Once, loneliness cut deep.
I tried to distract and numb myself.
Ran to people and places and things.
Even pretended I was “happy”.
But soon I could not run anymore.
And I tumbled into the heart of loneliness.
And I died and was reborn
into an exquisite solitude and stillness.
That connected me to all things.
So I was not lonely, but alone with All Life.
My heart One with all other hearts.
Once, I ran from difficult feelings.
Now, they are my advisors, confidants, friends,
and they all have a home in me,
and they all belong and have dignity.
I am sensitive, soft, fragile,
my arms wrapped around all my inner children.
And in my sensitivity, power.
In my fragility, an unshakeable Presence.
In the depths of my wounds,
in what I had named “darkness”,
I found a blazing Light
that guides me now in battle.
I became a warrior
when I turned towards myself.
And started listening.
– Jeff Foster
You can find Author Jeff Foster on his website.
OR
The Joy of True Meditation on Amazon.
OR
On Facebook>>
Hope you’ve enjoyed the value Jeff’s words added to this post.
Thanks so much for reading, and as always, I wish you miracles.
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A beautiful share Selma.
I’m honored to have your support and encouraging words, Sadje. I bless you.
You’re most welcome my friend
And very timely for me to read this tonight, just like this.
Jeff’s words/poems have woven into and through my recent life, and they have great resonance. Thank you for honouring him, and us your readers, in this post.
May you keep sharing miracles!
Your words lift my spirit. Thanks for being so real. Glad you could see the value in this share that comes straight from Jeff. Blessing you and wishing you miracles. xoxo
Oh. Good Lord. That’s incredible. I needed that today, Selma. Thank You for sharing Jeff’s wonderful words, and Thank You, Jeff, for saying yes. Walking away with such a full heart! 🥰
You are so welcome, my lovely. And I too am walking away with a full heart. Thanks for the support and encouraging words, Always so grateful. Blessings befall you always. xo
My pleasure!!! You know, I’ve been watching quite a few of Jeff’s videos on youtube. He is such a breath of fresh air!!! You’ve gifted me exponentially by this introduction!!! Thanks again!!! 🙏🏼😊💕
That’s amazing. Sharing creates a ripple effect. Sharing is caring and an act of self improvement for all.
So glad at the way it has worked out.
You are a blessing. Thanks.
Right?!! Our ripple effects are exponential! And Thank You! You, beautiful Selma, are a blessing!!! Hugs and Cheers!!! 💖🙏🏼🤗
Very nice sharing, Selma!
Raj, how nice of you to read this one too. I am pleased you read. Thanks, my friend. I wish you miracles. xo
Most welcome My friend Selma! Iam so glad
Lovely, Selma – a deeply healing post. Thank you for sharing 🙏
so happy you found it healing. It does help, I know. Be well. I blessyou and wish you miracles, Ingrid dear. xoxo
A very insightful poem, thank you for taking the time to share 😊
It’s my greatest pleasure. So glad that everyone seems to get something out of it– which is why I shared. Blessings, Deb. Good night.
A wonderful share, Selma! 🙂💕
Harmony, my sweets, hi. Thanks for the response. Stay sweet. xoxo
💖
Wow! A very powerful poem that I needed to read today!! Thank you for sharing!! ❤️❤️❤️
Ruth so glad to have added value. Stay strong and safe. Blessing you.
❤️🧚🦋
I’ve struggled with meditation and mindfulness, because it seemed to disconnect me more from other people. I now understand that it was my intent that was the problem, not the practice. So thank you for sharing this Selma, from the bottom of my heart!
Oh, Conny, sincere appreciation
It’s my honor to have helped out somehow. Blessings. Xoxo
love this. Thanks for sharing this important and wonderful read Selma. Meditation at it’s core is divine❣️♥️💖
It’s Devine. So happy you read. Blessings. XoXo and Thanks. Xoxo