Members of twelve-step recovery groups have heard the words “ninety meetings in ninety days” spoken in meetings throughout the world. This challenge to the newcomer is put forth to establish not only the discipline of attending meetings, but also to allow them to reap the benefits of doing so. The nature of our mind, when controlled by ego, is to fill our heads with self talk that the need to show up for anything that would benefit our lives is unnecessary. A stream of thoughts containing an infinite amount of excuses as to why not to show up, are not the true message from The Divine, but from the ego that does not want to go into retirement.

I would like to suggest to devotees of the Eleventh Step to show up for meditation using the slogan “ninety in ninety,” as the inspiration to practice meditation daily. The busy and restless mind will endeavor to put its most convincing voice to your ear. “I’m busy” or”I have to leave for work early,” etc., are the messages the ego will try to use to prevent you the opportunity to start the day with mindfulness. Our commitment to practice is our initiation to the status of spiritual warrior. With this new status we win over the false self with kindness. Show up daily, sit on your cushion, and you will experience paradise by breathing in and breathing out mindfully. Mindfulness turns all experiences into a prayer.  You will be roused within to seek a deeper practice.