The Month of Meditation

10 years ago my life changed in the profoundest of ways. My wife told me I was going to be a father. Having grown up without a father, the thought of playing a role in this very unique and special relationship was mind blowing, to say the least. What kind of father would I be? Would he look up to me? Better yet, should he look up to me? All those questions led me to spend the entire month of December 2009 contemplating my place in the world. I decided if I was going to be a father, I needed to claim my own system of beliefs and traditions to share with my son. 

After much thought, I identified 3 occasions which would continue to be holy in my eyes from that day forward. I decided I was going to fast for 24 hours before Thanksgiving dinner in observance of the millions of people who lost their lives in the forming of this country. I made a promise to not consume food or water from sun up to sun down on December 6th, in recognition of the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I also decided that every year, during the month of December I would not shave my face, and embrace a perpetual state of meditation for 31 days straight. That time has since been coined, The Month of Meditation. 

The Month of Meditation is a time for me to reflect on the events of the past year, while cultivating my vision and ability to manifest in the year to come. The practice has been transformative. The work has done everything from land me in the hospital, to fueling my quest, to breakdown all preconceived boundaries and limitations in my life. During these very enlightening and hairy days, I find myself moving slower, thinking deeper, and priming my ability to manipulate the fabric of my reality. 

After 10 years of practice, I still move about the month pondering the same questions as before, although the structure has changed. What kind of father will I be? Will THEY look up to me? Should THEY look up to me? You never know what your kids will see, but at least I have given them something to look at.