Our minds get bombed each day with enough data to crash a powerful computer, according to research reported in Tech 21 Century.

This daily information deluge we’re subjected to through our mobile phones, I-Pads, radio, television, and the internet equals an average of 34 gigabytes of data per day—or the processing of 105,000 words at 23 words per second during our waking hours.

A computer crashes when too much information is input. If left unchecked, our brains also can slow or even shut down trying to process the onslaught of data. We get irritable, our emotions come out sideways, and our inner peace implodes.

So, what’s the solution? How do we avoid what experts call “information overload”?

The Meditation Revolution—The Solution to a Chaotic World

According to recent reports, an estimated 200-500 million people have turned to some form of daily meditation to quiet the mind, still the body, and nourish the soul. This “meditation revolution” has become a major response to our noisy, overstimulated world that threatens to steal our inner peace.

Whether sitting in the quiet each morning sipping coffee with the Creator—as I like to call it—or walking, chanting sacred words, practicing yoga, or exercising mindfulness—daily getting away from the noise and distractions of the outer world has been documented to provide a well-spring of mental, physical, and spiritual health benefits, including these:

• Improved feelings of wellness and gratitude

• Lowered stress and anxiety

• Improved memory

• Deeper connection with one’s Inner Self and God

• Increased ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts

If you’re new to meditation or need a jump-start to your current practice, download the free Meditation Jump-Starter on my website by clicking this link: Meditation Practice Jump-Starter.

Taking Meditation into Your Day

At the encouragement of a spiritual mentor, I’ve been practicing morning meditation for 25 years. This daily quiet time is life-giving. It feeds my soul.

However, when my meditation time ends, I often look up at the picture of Jesus hanging on the den wall and ask him, “Do I have to go out into the world today? Can’t I just stay here with you?”

I hear the same problem from many others. They wonder how to bring the inner peace that comes from daily meditation into the active part of their day.

Your Outer Physical and Inner Spiritual Worlds

Recently, I raised this struggle with Chris, my spiritual life-coach.

He asked, “During the course of the day, how much time do you spend focused on the outer physical world around you, versus your inner spiritual world?”

“What do you mean?” I responded.

“The outer world consists of passing people and events, which are like computer screen shots that grab your attention during the day. You watch the news. Someone cuts you off in traffic. You pull up Instagram or Facebook. You play a video game. All of these occur around and outside of you. They’re a normal part of life. But when they become the focus of your day, you become disconnected from yourself. You distract yourself with overstimulation. Your soul gasps for air.

“Your inner world is comprised of those moments when you focus on what’s going on inside of you—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. You draw your awareness to your body. You check-in with your emotions, converse with the Creator, or stop to take in the beauty of the present moment. These inner moments allow you to connect with your true self. They allow you to remember all is well. They fill your day with small pauses so your soul can breathe. They allow you to turn off the noise and distractions of the outer world for a few moments.”

“I probably spend about eighty percent of my time during the day focused on my outer world,” I admitted. “It gets overwhelming. Information overload strangles my inner peace.”

“Can you practice flipping that ratio to eighty percent inward focus?” Chris asked.

“How can I do that?”

Chris’ gentle smile warmed the room. “There are many ways to stay centered and grounded during the active part of our lives. Each of us must find what works best for them.”

He then outlined the following four tools to bring our meditation practice into our busy days while keeping a peaceful inner focus.

Conversation with God

The Creator is right next to you throughout the day, and you can carry on a conversation with him at any time. We can pose a problem, big or small, and ask for insight to resolve it. We can laugh with God. Hear the Creator tell us we’re loved, and respond with a warm “thank you,” just like Brother Lawrence wrote about centuries ago in his book, The Practice of the Presence of God.

This on-going conversation with the Creator becomes a powerful force in our lives as we befriend the One who made us and wants what’s best for us.

Chanting a Sacred Word or Mantra

Our minds can think only one thought at a time. Therefore, to refocus the mind away from outer distractions, we can choose a sacred word or mantra to quietly repeat. The sound of the word or phrase resonates within our body, connecting us to our inner self.

We can use a familiar word or phrase, such as love, or all is well. We can speak the name of Jesus or chant the names of God. Or we can recite a traditional prayer to recenter ourselves in Divine Presence.

In the ancient Sanskrit tradition, mantras are said to be sacred.  The sounds and syllables that make up this ancient language resonate within our bodies. For example, the phrase “Aham Prema” (ah-hem-pree-mah) means “I am Divine love.” As we chant them, the words remind us of who we are and draw us into a deeper awareness of our connection with God and our inner selves.

Body Awareness

God has given us three ways of experiencing the Divine Presence: through our minds, through our emotions, and through our bodies. When we focus on our body, such as our breath, heartbeat, or our feet planted on the ground, we still the mind and draw our attention inward.

This form of body awareness allows us to focus on our physical presence as we experience the miracle of being formed and held by God.

A simple reminder to “breathe peace” as we inhale and “let go” as we exhale can be just what our bodies need to relax and come back to the safety of the present moment.

Music

Listening to relaxing or praise music during the day allows us to leave the noisy world behind as the notes and words flow over our hearts and minds. We calm. Get energized.

Sometimes a song surprises us just when we need to hear it. The words or melody seem to flow from God’s heart to ours.

If we’re musically inclined, playing a favorite instrument can be a way to enjoy the gift of our inner self.

Music is a pathway back to an awareness of our Inner Truth. It’s a way to soothe our souls amidst the chaos and noise of life.

Identify the Problem. Focus on the Solution.

When we identify  “information overload” as the source of the problem many of us face during the active part of our day, we can focus on solutions that draw us inward so our souls can breathe, our minds can quiet, and we can re-center ourselves in the Divine Presence always within us.

Join me in the challenge of increasing your inner awareness with these two spiritual practices:

1.         Create or continue daily meditation before your day gets rolling.

2.         Try one of the above practices to carry your meditative spirit into the active part of your day as you continually shift your focus inward.

Join the “meditation revolution.” Together, let’s overcome the crash and burn of information overload.

Your soul will thank you.

—brian j plachta
brianplachta.com

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