So, Dale, if you think it's bad being Mr. Meditation when you're not practicing, imagine what it's like wearing the moniker "Zen Mama" during a practice dry spell.
(sigh...)
I've been practicing "catch as catch can" these past few weeks...but hardly ever on my cushion. I'll grab a couple minutes following my breath here, a couple minutes there...but there's this huge resistance to actually *sitting down* on the cushion to do it for real.
So, this morning John (http://myzenlife.com) posted about keeping a zafu in his car, and I commented about an old inflatable zafu I have. And in response to his query about how comfortable it is for sitting seiza (kneeling position), I of course had to try it out.
So I just now sat 15 minutes, kneeling, on my inflatable zafu. Not because I *wanted* to, mind you, but because I was doing "research" for a friend.
I have to giggle at such an odd juxtaposition. It's hard to be ominous when talking meditation.
I meditated very briefly yesterday. It didn't feel like much at the time, but I've been much more aware of the tension I'm holding after feeling it then. Which of course means I can be more conscious about letting it go. Huzzah for progress!
Ok, you wanna hear something dumb? I haven't been commenting here on 100 Days cause I haven't been doing such a hot job at the "sit daily" thing. In fact, my overachieving ego thinks I should start my own 100 Days campaign and REALLY stick to it this time. So, how can I get rid of that guy? He can be SO annoying!!
Sat last night on my zafu in the middle of my daughter's room while she got ready for bed. It felt good to get into the meditation posture if only for 10 or so minutes.
So, thanks to Lorianne for pointing me back here!!
Sat yesterday (Friday) but not today so far. The morning slot is really my best time and if I miss it I find my unwillingness to sit grows.
Moira: thanks for your enquiry re my furry feline companion. The news is not that great, and this probably explains why I am so reluctant to be with myself at the moment. He has kidney problems and is getting on years so the prognosis is not very good. I really thought he was immortal until this week.
sat both days. feeling very depressed and not sure why. perhaps the cold turn and the rain? Anyway, interesting as J was drilling and humming. I found my heart opening to the noises that most irritate me ande realise I need to concentrate alot on this heart area.
Does anyone go through times when one's own practice makes one irritated with the lack of one's partner's commitment to same? I- shamefully, and I'd only admit it to you - am going through this right now and finding J's agitation very hard to be around.
i'm so sorry about your cat mary. Time to meditate upon impermanence??? I feel for you. think I love mine far too much and am terrified of what you are going through. (Time for me to meditate on impermanence?)
Ruth: thank you for your kind words. This cat has wound his way into my heart more than any other animal I've had. Yes, I do need to meditate on impermanance at the moment, no doubt about it. (Dale recently put a good post in the form of a letter on the subject on his blog).
And yes, one of my favourite distractions to avoid my ownlack of practice is focussing on other people's perceived spiritual defects!!! I really sympathise with you there. Bon courage!
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So, Dale, if you think it's bad being Mr. Meditation when you're not practicing, imagine what it's like wearing the moniker "Zen Mama" during a practice dry spell.
(sigh...)
I've been practicing "catch as catch can" these past few weeks...but hardly ever on my cushion. I'll grab a couple minutes following my breath here, a couple minutes there...but there's this huge resistance to actually *sitting down* on the cushion to do it for real.
So, this morning John (http://myzenlife.com) posted about keeping a zafu in his car, and I commented about an old inflatable zafu I have. And in response to his query about how comfortable it is for sitting seiza (kneeling position), I of course had to try it out.
So I just now sat 15 minutes, kneeling, on my inflatable zafu. Not because I *wanted* to, mind you, but because I was doing "research" for a friend.
I guess whatever it takes is good enough, eh?
Like we used to say in the sixties: "Any means necessary, man" (Backed with an ominous glare) :-)
Maybe instead of Mr. Meditation, we should start calling you "Mr. X" (as in Malcolm "By Any Means Necessary" X...)
;-)
I have to giggle at such an odd juxtaposition. It's hard to be ominous when talking meditation.
I meditated very briefly yesterday. It didn't feel like much at the time, but I've been much more aware of the tension I'm holding after feeling it then. Which of course means I can be more conscious about letting it go. Huzzah for progress!
Ok, you wanna hear something dumb? I haven't been commenting here on 100 Days cause I haven't been doing such a hot job at the "sit daily" thing. In fact, my overachieving ego thinks I should start my own 100 Days campaign and REALLY stick to it this time. So, how can I get rid of that guy? He can be SO annoying!!
Sat last night on my zafu in the middle of my daughter's room while she got ready for bed. It felt good to get into the meditation posture if only for 10 or so minutes.
So, thanks to Lorianne for pointing me back here!!
John/Lorianne: welcome back.
Sat yesterday (Friday) but not today so far. The morning slot is really my best time and if I miss it I find my unwillingness to sit grows.
Moira: thanks for your enquiry re my furry feline companion. The news is not that great, and this probably explains why I am so reluctant to be with myself at the moment. He has kidney problems and is getting on years so the prognosis is not very good. I really thought he was immortal until this week.
sat both days. feeling very depressed and not sure why. perhaps the cold turn and the rain? Anyway, interesting as J was drilling and humming. I found my heart opening to the noises that most irritate me ande realise I need to concentrate alot on this heart area.
Does anyone go through times when one's own practice makes one irritated with the lack of one's partner's commitment to same? I- shamefully, and I'd only admit it to you - am going through this right now and finding J's agitation very hard to be around.
i'm so sorry about your cat mary. Time to meditate upon impermanence??? I feel for you. think I love mine far too much and am terrified of what you are going through. (Time for me to meditate on impermanence?)
Ruth: thank you for your kind words. This cat has wound his way into my heart more than any other animal I've had. Yes, I do need to meditate on impermanance at the moment, no doubt about it. (Dale recently put a good post in the form of a letter on the subject on his blog).
And yes, one of my favourite distractions to avoid my ownlack of practice is focussing on other people's perceived spiritual defects!!! I really sympathise with you there. Bon courage!
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