Glass-Inspired Meditation Triggers: Transparency, Reflection, Light
“People are like stained – glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” ~Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
If you think about it, while we don’t really need an excuse to meditate, certain common objects can serve as visual reminders to get and stay focused on what we really want.
Glass is part of our everyday life, so that makes it an ideal “meditation trigger.”
It’s used for fine works of art and you see it in ordinary household objects. When you think about it, glass possesses many characteristics that we can use to meditate.
Hold a mirror up to yourself and ponder these 4 qualities.
Meditation on Transparency
One of the first things we notice about glass is that you can see through it. Imagine how your life would be different without anything to cover up. Keeping secrets can cause anxiety and drain us of our energy. Many people talk about the virtues of transparency, but it takes courage to fully reveal ourselves.
- Think about your secrets. List the things you keep covered up. Maybe you’re reluctant to let others know your weaknesses or there’s an event from your past you keep hidden.
- Examine your motives. There are good reasons to keep some information confidential, like when you’re trying to protect someone’s privacy. On the other hand, you may be ignoring something you’d be better off discussing with someone.
- Imagine being more open. Picture yourself revealing more. Ask yourself if having fewer secrets would make you feel more at ease.
- Unveil yourself. Get one thing off your chest. Tell someone your correct age or let a coworker know that you need help to meet a deadline.
Meditation on Reflections
A mirror reflects whatever appears before it. To some extent, we’re all products of our environment.
Contemplate your surroundings. Describe the settings where you spend the majority of your time. Form an image of your home and workplace. Or maybe you spend long hours in your car.
Assess your feelings. Connect with how your environment influences your emotions. Discover when you feel relaxed and when you tense up.
Focus on factors that make you feel good. Figure out what settings work best for you. Maybe you thrive on peace and quiet or perhaps you like a lot of background activity.
Redecorate one area. Take what you learn and make one spot more comfortable for yourself. Put a vase of flowers on your desk at the office or clear the clutter out of the back seat of your car.
Meditation on Light
Shining light on glass brings out its beauty. You see its full color and translucency. In the same way, a cheerful attitude makes us feel sunnier and more attractive.
- Laugh a little. Spend a few moments laughing. It’s okay if it’s artificial at first. It will soon become an authentic experience.
- Savor the feeling. Enjoy the physical and mental sensations. Notice how your heart rate increases and your face flushes. Appreciate how your stress level decreases and you feel more relaxed.
- Share your joy. Invite others to participate in your glee. Spend time playing with your children or throw a costume party.
Meditation on Cleanliness
A glass window looks dramatically different after it’s been cleaned. When you remove the surface grime, the whole room brightens up. Our minds often need to be “polished” as well.
- Observe your thoughts. Review what’s on your mind. Are you still replaying the traffic jams you encountered during your morning commute or are you giving your undivided attention to your work?
- Identify impurities. Recognize which of your thoughts are dragging you down. You may be telling yourself that your thighs are too big or wishing it would stop raining.
- Generate positive thoughts. Transform your way of looking at things. Congratulate yourself for trying to lose weight or think of how good the rain is for your garden.
Let glass inspire you how to lead a happier and more meaningful life. Let in more light and gain wisdom through meditation and reflection.
