At the end of a Yoga class, we spend about five minutes in “final relaxation.” We lie on our backs in “corpse pose” and focus on slow, rhythmic breathing. For many people this is the highlight of the hour. Often I give the class something to meditate on. Sometimes it’s good to meditate on nothing–just focus on breath and clear your mind. Other times I’ll have them visualize lying on a beach or in a meadow or something.
There is one meditation that I like to give. Lie quietly, focus on slow, rhythmic breathing, then meditate on the question, “If your heart were planted, what would grow?”
There is more to this question than might meet the eye. Have you ever looked inside yourself? Do you know you, or do you know the you that you think you are? This may come as a shock to some, but you may not be the perfect person of your dreams.
Once when I was deep in meditation, I had an experience (some would call it a vision) of entering a basement room and seeing all manner of evil. Murder, adultery, specifics that I don’t really remember. What I remember is thinking that deep inside I really am capable of committing sin–maybe even grievous sin.
I remember this vision to this day even though it happened many years ago. It reminds me that I’m not perfect. I am in need of God’s grace (a later experience–probably first you have to realize you are sinning and capable of much more before you can really receive God’s grace).
So, where are you in life? What would grow. Are you living with God, and the fruits your heart would grow are love, peace, grace? Or are you still enmeshed in lust, self-love, materialism, greed, hate? Realizing where you are helps you focus on becoming what God would like you to be.
Faith Venture 
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