Oprah & Deepak’s Newest 21-Day Meditation: ‘Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection’
I must admit I have never felt guided, drawn or interested in participating in an online meditation event.
Despite the fact that I consider myself to be a life-long learner who is familiar with the benefits of meditation, the online aspect simply wasn’t appealing. I assumed the experience would feel cold, impersonal, and frankly, technical.
Considering that meditation can be a deeply personal experience, I couldn’t see how an online experience would enhance what I was able to achieve on my own.
I thought, ‘I know how to meditate. I’m comfortable with my routine and I don’t need additional instruction.’
However, one of the most important teachings of being on a spiritual path is to keep what is known as a “Beginner’s Mind,” and to let go of the “been there, done that” outlook.
With remembrance that true humility is staying teachable, regardless of how much you think you know, for the first time last fall, I participated in one of Oprah and Deepak Chopra’s 21-Day Meditations.
The 21-Day “Become What You Believe” Meditation far exceeded my expectations.
With daily introductions voiced by Oprah Winfrey and meditations by Deepak Chopra, each day offers a specific contemplative theme, Centering Thought and Sanskrit mantra.
The focus of the daily meditation is to create new possibilities of being, seeing and moving in the world through life-affirming beliefs.
Although, I have examined many of the limiting beliefs that have kept my life small and confined, when I listened to the first meditation, it became clear that there were still areas where my beliefs were not enhancing my life.
Here is an excerpt from Day 1, entitled Belief is Dynamic and Alive:
“Every day your beliefs filter the experiences you are having. This happens silently, and you may not even be aware of it. But in all our lives, belief colors what we feel about ourselves, other people, our careers, our status, our family, politics and world events.”
“Belief is so powerful, it can make us see everything as clear as day, or see nothing at all. It can inspire the highest fulfillment, or lead to the most frustrating setbacks. What makes the difference is not the beliefs you choose, but how self-aware you are.
““I’ll believe it, when I see it” can be turned on its head into, “I’ll see it, when I believe it.””
“If you believe in your own self-worth, you’ll see it helping you in many situations. If you believe in your inner strength, you’ll see it every time you face a crisis. If you believe in love, it will appear in places where others see no love at all. The same is true of every deeply held belief.”
“Once you realize that your life is guided by belief, you discover a new perspective which shows you that the more dynamic your beliefs, the more dynamic your life.”
“When beliefs are dormant or sleepy, we take them for granted. Ironically, this often applies to the things we cherish most. Certainly you believe that you cherish those who are close to you, that caring for yourself is important, and you’re aiming for more fulfillment; but until these beliefs are expressed through words and actions, they are not dynamic enough to make a real difference.”
For some time now, I have witnessed the incremental changes that have resulted in my life as belief in certain possibilities have expanded.
With every waking moment I am deciding who and what I am with beliefs such as, “I am someone who is sincere,” “I am the woman who is supported by those who love me,” as well as “I am not someone who can affect change within this organization.”
When I went into meditation during the first week, I uncovered why some beliefs seemed beyond my reach of capability to change.
Take the belief, “I am not someone who can affect change within this organization,” at the time I thought I was merely making an observation, when in fact I was creating another belief of a low expectation.
I had not considered that by re-creating a disappointing experience, I was demonstrating what I thought I was “allowed” to have.
According to Mr. Chopra, “Once you see where a limiting belief is undermining you, you have the choice to believe in yourself instead.”
With the statements and questions posed in week 1, I was reminded that I am absolutely responsible for my life, myself and every single belief that I hold.
In the 21-Day Meditation journey, “the goal was to open your awareness to belief so that its power can uplift and support you. The greatest bar of belief comes from a high vision, which fits your life into the larger scheme of things. When that happens, purpose and meaning expand every day. You have the kind of self-esteem no one can take away.”
Now, beginning once again this fall, Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra have announced the newest “Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Experience” entitled “Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection.”
This all-new, free, 21-Day Meditation Experience, beginning on Monday, October 31st, will help participants make a connection with their true self, leading to a newfound inner peace, which will naturally extend to family, friends, the community and the world.
“Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection,” offers a 20-minute audio meditation each day and a series of thought-provoking reflection questions designed to anchor the teachings with a centering thought and mantra.
Through a private, interactive journal feature that is provided, meditators are able to record and view their progress, giving them an invaluable picture of personal growth and development.
Below is an overview of what participants can expect throughout this experience:
- Week One: Finding the Power of Connections: Week One will focus on unfolding a path to the true self, and the pivot point inside each of us that can change disconnect to connection.
- Week Two: Becoming an Agent of Change: The more we discover our true selves, the more each experience of peace, love, intimacy, devotion and bliss in a relationship will open the door for a deeper moment. And because each of us stand at the center of our experience, our perception and our awareness, it is our personal choice to become an agent of change in any situation.
- Week Three: Creating a Connected World: Making our intentions wider and deeper, allows them to ripple out to touch more people. No matter what you call “my world” — extended family and friends, your town, your country, or all of humanity — the change that is possible must come from the heart. While the idea of creating world peace may seem insurmountable, connection is the path. The positive ideas that have most changed the world — and continue to change it — touch the heart. As the world’s great wisdom tradition teaches, what matters is not what you teach and preach but who you are.
I had no idea of the depth of perspective I would gain from listening to Mr. Chopra’s daily explanation of the extent to which belief permeates every aspect of your life. I’m grateful for the insight gained within my first week and first time of participation.
Through reaching for a higher awareness of ourselves, we are all walking the slow march towards greatness together.
We are each preparing our self for the new ideals that are ready to come through, as we see through the eyes of a significant soul.
By “being aware of your most positive beliefs you see new possibilities,” and in those possibilities you will see “peace is the way.”
For more information or to register for the “Oprah & Deepak 21-Day Meditation Experience” entitled “Creating Peace from the Inside Out: The Power of Connection,” log on to Oprah.com/meditation. Registration for the meditations are available for free, online at Oprah.com/meditation.
