By: Cornelius Smith Jr. (Actor, Producer) | Founding Member
Everyone's favorite question is "How are you doing?," but to me how you're doing is so overrated! Living in a world that is mostly obsessed with doing…it’s natural to understand how doer-ship has sunken into our culture and state of mind. “How are you “doing?”” “What are you going to “do” next?” Everybody is doing or at least trying to do something with themselves or for others. But how many of us are conscious of how we are being? Seriously…how are you being? Being is what leads to and informs your doing. You can’t “do” kind, do love…but you can be kind and be love! I don't want to beat you over the head with this, but take a moment and give some thought and awareness of how you're being?
How do you treat yourself? What’s the first thing you do in the morning? What’s the last thing you do and think about before bed? How do you feed and fuel your soul and creativity? What is your mechanism for clarity, inner peace, and gratitude? What’s the voice inside your head saying to you? Does it match your highest self and frequency? Are you meditating? I’ve found that some form of daily meditation or mindfulness practice is extremely helpful for groundedness and peeling back the layers to be the best you!
Here’s a little meditation you can do everyday:
Find a quiet place.
Sit comfortably with your eyes closed.
Take three deep breaths.
On the next inhale say/think “SO” silently to yourself and as you exhale releasing all the air out say/think “HUM” silently. (Repeat for 5-10mins)
At the end, inhale and hold the breath as long as comfortable while bringing up a positive emotion linked to gratitude. Then relax and breathe normally for a few breaths.
*This meditation can be done anytime during the day for any length of time.
Many people think the point of meditation is to sit with a clear mind and have no thoughts. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Did you know we have over 30,000 thoughts a day? 60% of those thoughts are negative and repetitive! So the mind is going to have thoughts, that’s what it does and those thoughts are going to happen while you're meditating. That’s ok and completely normal. The key is to observe your thoughts and release them, don’t hold on to them or respond to them and them. With this “SO HUM” meditation you are giving the mind something to focus on. When the mind is focused on something that has no meaning it has an opportunity to slow down and reach deeper states of consciousness and stillness.
In closing…BE WELL, BE LOVE to self…for self. Don’t DO you, BE you! Let’s be purposeful in our BEING to have a richer DOING. The next time you really want to connect with someone…don’t ask them “how you doing?” Maybe ask “how you being?” and have a real conversation.
Let’s get deep.
Love and Light.
SHiNeBYDeFauLT
About Cornelius:
Cornelius Smith Jr. is a soulful and transformational actor who disappears into every performance he gives.
He can be seen as the lead opposite Vera Farmiga and Cherry Jones in the Apple TV Limited Series from John Ridley and Carlton Cuse, FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL, now streaming. Based on the acclaimed nonfiction book by Pulitzer Prize winning author Sheri Fink, the riveting drama follows the first five days in a New Orleans hospital after Hurricane Katrina.
Smith also dominated the stage as the titular character in the world premiere of AMERICAN PROPHET at Arena Stage in Washington DC. The new musical by Charles Randolph-Wright and grammy winner Marcus Hummon chronicles the life of human rights leader Frederick Douglass.
Smith appeared as W.E.B DuBois in the Netflix limited series SELF MADE, as well as starred in the CBS humor-tinged drama GOD FRIENDED ME, and the Shonda Rhimes’ political drama SCANDAL.
After earning his Master of Fine Arts from New York University Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Acting Program, Smith booked a role on ALL MY CHILDREN, leading to nomination for a daytime Emmy and NAACP Image Award. He has had guest role in the hit series MAJOR CRIMES, Marvel’s AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D., and HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER.
Smith has a meditation teaching certification from Chopra. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan. He now resides in Los Angeles.
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