Posted: March 26, 2018
In 2002, small stickers with the words “you are beautiful” written in block letters began to appear around the city of Chicago. Now, block-long murals and art installations with the same message are on display throughout the city’s neighborhoods and along freeways, reminding passersby to take a moment to appreciate themselves and practice self-love.
As simple as the campaign sounds, in today’s body image-obsessed culture, reminders of self-love are more important than ever. According to DoSomething.org, “approximately 91% of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape. Unfortunately, only 5% of women naturally possess the body type often portrayed in the American media.” The ideals advertised on television, in fashion magazines and in advertisements communicate unrealistic expectations of women and men, for the most part portraying stick-thin feminine figures with flawless skin and aggressive, stereotypical “manly” male characters with chiseled bodies and perfectly-quaffed hair.
However, while the modern media depicts beauty as being skin-deep, spirituality arms us with the knowledge that true beauty goes far beyond the physical body. While one aspect of beauty can be seen as physical, beauty is also present in qualities such as confidence, humility, humor, love, honesty, and kindness.
Meditation: Nature’s Beauty Treatment
The truly lovely reality is that each person already contains these qualities; we simply need to discover and unearth them from within. And this is where meditation comes in. When we meditate, we experience profound calm and a sense of grace from deep within. That beauty then radiates outward.
When we feel alluring and attractive, we radiate beauty naturally; no amount of hair product or designer clothing can replicate it. Often, once a person accesses their inner charm, physical magnificence blossoms on its own. Many meditators receive compliments on the clarity of their eyes, the luster of their skin, and the luminosity of their smile.
Read the following tips and discover how meditation can help bring out your own inner beauty:
Shade #1: Clarity
As the old adage says, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” When we feel good, ordinary elements of life expand to become extraordinary; the world outside reflects the inner you. And one effortless way of creating an exquisite world inside is through meditation.
Meditation transports us into a space where we see the underlying, timeless reality of everything, and more importantly perceive goodness in others. This harmonious understanding comes from the remarkable quiet and calm found within, free from turmoil. When we feel calm and beautiful inside, the world outside reflects that feeling of inner charm.
Shade #2: Innocence
Have you observed how the moment you see a baby, unexplainable love and joy wells up? Suddenly the simplest actions and moments become adorable and remarkable. Their innocence and spontaneity rubs off on us, allowing us to feel a sense of innate, innocent appeal. Meditation can help us rediscover the child within. The more innocent splendor we cultivate within, the more beauty, joy and lightness we experience in our outer world.
Shade #3: Intelligence
While meditation is like a time machine, rewinding your nature back to that of a child, it simultaneously increases your intelligence. Rather than simply cultivating book-smarts, the intelligence enhanced by meditation is supplemented with intuition, so that at times when situations in life are beyond logic or concepts, intuition and wisdom provide guidance to make the best decision. This intuitive intelligence is available 24/7 and is easily replenished with daily meditation.
Shade #4: Radiance
We all know someone who simply “radiates,” making others around them feel happy and appreciated. Don’t we all want to feel bright and joyful throughout the day, gifting others with that same energy?
In simple terms, when we have abundant energy, we glow with a certain brightness that can be felt by others, and that makes our appearance more heavenly.
Whenever you feel tired and depleted, you can experience deep rest through 20 minutes of meditation. Meditation brings back strength and provides rejuvenation.
Shade #5: Expression
The way to anyone’s heart is not through good looks but good communication. Those who have the ability to communicate clearly and find common ground with others reflect an unseen beauty that fosters relationships, which is ultimately how we as humans find meaning and purpose in life. And when we connect with others, we feel more attractive. While communication and clear self-expression is indeed an art, it doesn’t require an educational degree. Rather, sit down, close your eyes, and meditate!
Always remember: you are elegant, graceful and fabulous! To access nature’s beauty treatment, be sure to seek out the guidance of a trained Sahaj Samadhi teacher. Once trained, you can meditate independently and feel stunning every day of your life.
