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Mindful Meditation: Alisa Gracheva on How to Practice Stillness Within

Mindful Meditation: Alisa Gracheva on How to Practice Stillness Within

Breakaway Magazine
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Editor-In-Chief: Jamee Livingston
  • Livingston Publishing
  • Photography: Luis Perez

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of stillness and introspection can seem daunting. In a society addicted to constant stimulation, Alisa Gracheva advocates for the power of relaxation, meditation and going within. As a renown spiritual & mental health therapist, Alisa has mastered the art of guiding individuals to a peaceful existence by helping them focus their energy and prioritize mindfulness. With a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, she draws on years of experience practicing alternative healing modalities including meditation, sound healing, reiki therapy, light therapy, energy work and spiritual guidance.

Alisa encourages individuals to dedicate quality time to connect with themselves, shedding light on the unused energy that lies dormant within. “All of that energy that we normally invest into an overly stimulated environment that is perceived by us as normal, we now have to transfer into a stillness with nothing much to do.” It can be quite difficult because our body and mind are used to extreme levels of mental and physical activity; we’ve become literally addicted to it.

As someone who understands the pitfalls of a perpetually busy lifestyle, Alisa reminds us of the importance of pausing and reflecting. “If you are like me trying to manage 1001 projects, and feel like you have to keep going no matter what then you probably don’t take breaks. Our body needs real rest sometimes. It needs not to think, create, talk or even move at all. The longer you postpone to pause and reflect, the longer your breaks may take you to recover.” In a world that values non-stop productivity, she urges us to give ourselves permission to take a break and do absolutely nothing.

Sitting in Stillness. Alisa Gracheva covers Breakaway Magazine.

Instead of succumbing to guilt or self-judgment, Alisa encourages us to embrace these moments of respite as opportunities for rejuvenation and self-discovery. By allowing ourselves to delve deep into our own thoughts and feelings, we can return to our daily lives with renewed energy and productivity. “When you allow yourself to go deep into your mental gateway, you come back with a sharper, more insightful, energetic and most importantly, more rested mind. A healthy mind means a healthy body and then your soul has a balanced vessel to keep pursuing its purpose!”

Living in a constantly demanding society that pushes us to hurry and accomplish more, Alisa highlights the need to pause and question our motivations. By taking a break and truly listening to ourselves, we open the door to self-reflection and discover the profound insights that lie within. “We need a break to truly hear what we want to say to ourselves. There are usually a lot of things that remain unheard. Lay down and go within to identify why and where all of that unused energy is stored. Try to see options where you can invest it at this moment. Remember, this has to be something productive; not working, watching TV or browsing social media.”

These moments of quiet contemplation allow us to hear the whispers of our desires, often drowned out by the demands of daily life. Alisa invites us to embrace these moments of introspection as opportunities to gain clarity, find meaning, and pave the way toward a fulfilling life. The importance of embracing the present moment is one of Alisa’s fundamental teachings. She reminds us that the past is but a memory and the future a realm of uncertainty. Only by being fully present can we truly experience the essence of life. She emphasizes the need to release worries and regrets, as they serve only to distract us from the beauty of the present.

By cultivating mindfulness and savoring life’s simplest pleasures such as immersing ourselves in nature’s wonders, we can find joy, gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. “Let’s not allow worldly illusions to take away from the gift of the present moment. Surrendering into who we are can bring healing we are seeking and help us learn to choose only those thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that strengthen us rather than make us want to fight for or prove our perspective.”

One way to feel and embrace the present moment is through meditation. “When we meditate, we are able to shift our mind and the overall state of being to a more coherent and healing level, where every organ begins to function according to a new wellness paradigm rooted in our connection with the universe.” Meditation is an act of concentrating on a thought or activity and teaches mindfulness throughout all parts of our life.

Through meditation, you can transform and improve your ability to manage the stress and anxiety of daily life. Meditation is the way to the ultimate health. By training your mind and body to meditate now, you equip your brain to handle stressful situations in the future. By fully embracing the present moment during a meditation break, you will gain a greater understanding of your day-to-day life, increase calmness, clarity and feel more revitalized.

Alisa provides practical guidance, methodologies and exercises to assist others in cultivating a consistent meditation routine and enjoy the myriad of advantages that meditation can provide. “The first step is to select a quiet space for meditation. By simply sitting down and while performing breathing and mindfulness exercises, you are already engaging in a type of meditation. Everyone has their own daily rhythm. Select a time that suits you, but try to be consistent. Schedule a daily appointment with yourself for that specific duration. It is preferable to refrain from engaging in meditation shortly before or after a meal, as the process of digestion can interfere with concentration, as can strong hunger pangs.

Allow yourself to take a breather, inhale the calming air and exhale all the tension. To do so, take a deep breath in, then slowly exhale. Free your mind from the burden of stress and worries, trying not to let it wander. Focus for your attention. You might choose to focus on your breathing, a sound, a mantra, etc. “In these moments we want to bring in stillness and relax all of our muscles. Experience the tranquil scenery as the trees undulate to the rhythm of the wind and the birds chirp faintly in the distance. This is the practice of meditation.”

Initially, you can start with shorter meditation times and then gradually build up to longer intervals. Try for five to ten minutes a day. Alisa recommends setting a timer to signal the conclusion of the allotted meditation period. “As you continue to progress, you can increase your time little by little to whatever works for you. With practice, you’ll be able to meditate for anywhere up to an hour or longer per day.”

You can also integrate various tools into your meditation journey such as meditation fans or sound healing instruments that will work as an visual or auditory guide during your meditation routines. Sound healing restores healthy vibratory frequencies to out-of-harmony parts of the body, mind and spirit. “Research shows that there is an impact of this modality on our mental state, muscles, nervous system, pulse, digestive system and circulatory system. A sound produced by a sacred instrument such as a gong or sound bowls produces an audible vibration and is felt throughout the whole body on both physical and energetic levels.” By including them you will forge a correlation between the sound and your meditative state of being. Thus, hearing the same sound again triggers an automatic recollection of the peacefulness you achieved during your last meditation. 

Breathe. Alisa Gracheva for Breakaway Magazine.

For those who are new to the meditation practice, getting to the altered states of consciousness can be extremely difficult. “There are multiple physical and mental benefits that may be encountered when using the deep-trance meditation device Pandora Star or other instruments working with brainwave frequencies. Sometimes, only a few sessions may bring the results that one may achieve after months of deep and consistent meditation. It allows us to dive deeply into our subconscious mind and experience altered states within minutes.”

Pandora Star uses a unique inverted triangle of LED lights that interlock together to create a series of hexagrams, thus stimulating various brain regions by focusing rays of light on the retinas. Through closed eyelids, user experiences a powerful “visible” frequency; one indulges interchanging kaleidoscopic patterns of colors and psychedelic imagery, which provides an immersive environment for deep level brainwave meditation. Singing crystal bowls and/or other meditative musical instruments may also be used during, before or after the session to deepen the healing.

Alisa’s transformative teachings also emphasize the profound significance of breaking free from self-imposed limitations and societal expectations. She emphasizes that each of us possesses a shamanic power within, waiting to be unleashed. “There is nothing more liberating than finding the shaman in you. Understanding your truth, your mastery of healing which is ALWAYS inside of everyone of us.” By shedding shame, doubt and the belief in punishment, individuals can embark on a journey of self-liberation, unearthing their true gifts and life’s purpose. Through the transformative process of overcoming past traumas and expanding our boundaries, Alisa guides us toward personal growth and realizing our boundless potential.

Alisa’s expertise extends to the concept of breakthroughs, dispelling the misconception that they must be grand and life-altering. She encourages individuals to celebrate the small victories that arise from shifting old beliefs and achieving small goals. Breaking the limitations, and most importantly boundaries, built through our human existence helps us to truly grow and expand. By committing to practices of self-love, healing, mindfulness and understanding, we pave the way for long-lasting breakthroughs that transform our lives from within.

As the foliage changes and takes on new colors during the fall, you too can turn over a new leaf and make a fresh start. In a world craving direction and fulfillment, Alisa stands as a guiding light, empowering individuals to embark on transformative journeys of self-discovery and personal growth. Through her teachings, she inspires us to embrace stillness, mindfulness, cultivate self-love, and unlock the boundless potential that resides within each of us. Alisa’s wisdom serves as a reminder that true fulfillment comes not from external achievements but from embracing the present moment, nurturing our inner selves, and embracing the power of love.

Alisa Gracheva: Official Website

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