just had a very in clear blue sit, coming from seemingly insoluble computer irritations and only to find that there was a lorry doing reversal beeping (no that isn't a form of chanting/bowing ritual) outside hotel then turning into that fur elise in high pitch beep. all rather wonderful. amazing what can become the focus of a meditation and allow me to let go of my wanting to fix and control everything NOW (a danger i find computers feed)..expensive connection here so just to say hi and i did it thanks to all of you.
Goodness. I though Soen Joon wrote "an all night bowling and chanting bonanza." Those Korean nuns are crazy! Oh. Bowing. Well, I bow humbly and exit backwards...
Haven't sat yet this morning, but will now. I went to yoga last night for the first time since they closed for Christmas. Kept finding myself near tears. Tough day. But when I left I felt great. I was thinking during class of being supported by the others in class, then widened out to you all.
Good sits to you all this morning/evening, wherever you are.
Patience and laughter: yes, that about covers everything - thank you Soen Joon :-)
Only time to sit for 5 minutes yesterday morning and I only got back to it at 11.30 pm. I knew I would, though, which is a good feeling. Making a habit strong enough to be released from choice: I have visualised this but never achieved it. Last night I felt that perhaps I was coming close (I'm sure there will be many blips, though!). Sat for half an hour - tired and distracted at first, but gradually quieter and clearer. Thinking of the conversation here with Ruth, I followed a few minutes of focusing on my breath with some loving kindness meditation directed at myself and at the friend I'm feeling cross with. I think this helped and will try to do it every day. Late getting up and only time to sit for 5 minutes again this morning. More later.
Leslee, hugs to you. I remember the first time I did any body work (it was Alexander technique), no one had told me that releasing physical tension could also release emotions and I was so shocked when I started crying and cried throughout the session. I think that release is a great blessing: all those tears we hold grimly inside, not even realising it - what are we doing?
While my drive towards euphoria might seem frivolous, and so I've been holding back from it, I awoke this morning with the realization that I need to meditate into pure bliss so that I am deeply connected to nothingness and exploding with love the way the sun first lights the sky and then emerges, a cauldron of life-affirming flames. When I find the inexpugnable joy within, I can cope with anything, and whatever I receive, I receive with gratitude. It's okay to be happy.
Now I'm going to meditate until I feel like a cauldron of light, the heaving darkness and the delerium of brightness, of joy, overflowing.
I love reading all the comments! sj, how beautiful, on the eve of enlightenment...
ruth, in the Summer, in a hut out back of my friend's, I meditated often to the sounds of neighbours' power drills and power lawn mowers; it was most challenging. But I felt like I was boring deeply into places in myself and renovating, trimming myself... and flowing with the energy of the men who were working so hard. :)
Inspired by the dawn's rosey-streaked aqua clarity, and fortified first by comments here(SJ's lovely entry, DE's description of rain and train in the dark, Leslee's humor, J's kindness meditation, B's inexpugnable joy, Jude's self-patience), I went and sat 20 minutes. The calls of children playing outside were a wash in the background like the sound of gulls and waves. Then, halfway through, the sudden entry into the soundscape of a loud backup beeper made me laugh out loud, thinking of Ruth's comments. Patience and laughter, yes, indeed. Thank you all.
I sit very early morning too, when it's dark and quiet - just my little candle, incense and a street lamp shining through the branches of the trees outside my window. It's my favourite time of the day. An occasional car, that's all. But on Mondays my sessions often coincide with the refuse collection and the accompanying clatterings, motor noises and bangings, and the refuse collectors shouting to each other. And that's fine - it makes a rousing start to the working week!
I am glad to be doing this. The group energy helps in ways I can't define. I like BRenda's comment too about it being Okay to be happy.
Leslee:hugs and more hugs yes, the body can store an enormous amount of emotion, particularly if it isn't expressed at the time. With yoga I'm generally OK but i did some Pilates a little while back with heavy work on the abdominals and the emotional stuff it threw up! I was amazed but my instructor said that a strong emotional reaction was quite common ...
Oh yes, my 2 pence on the mechanics. I find sitting cross legged for any length of time difficult - always have done even when younger. I used to kneel which I found easyand very comfortable but then I tore a liagament in my knee through too much kneeling! So now I sit in a chair. I have yet to try a meditation stool.
Today I sat in the afternoon after walking the dog (versus in the morning as I prefer). I was planning to sit for 20 minutes but stopped about 5 minutes early to take a nap instead.
Usually when I'm sleepy during meditation I fight it (imagine the head-jerks of a person trying to stay awake but nodding off). But today I just gently settled into an increasingly relaxed state, then transferred myself from mat to couch...
One of these days, we all will learn how to show our own selves & bodies the same compassion we strive to show others. It's a noble goal, at least.
9 Comments:
how lovely sj..
just had a very in clear blue sit, coming from seemingly insoluble computer irritations and only to find that there was a lorry doing reversal beeping (no that isn't a form of chanting/bowing ritual) outside hotel then turning into that fur elise in high pitch beep. all rather wonderful. amazing what can become the focus of a meditation and allow me to let go of my wanting to fix and control everything NOW (a danger i find computers feed)..expensive connection here so just to say hi and i did it thanks to all of you.
Goodness. I though Soen Joon wrote "an all night bowling and chanting bonanza." Those Korean nuns are crazy! Oh. Bowing. Well, I bow humbly and exit backwards...
Haven't sat yet this morning, but will now. I went to yoga last night for the first time since they closed for Christmas. Kept finding myself near tears. Tough day. But when I left I felt great. I was thinking during class of being supported by the others in class, then widened out to you all.
Good sits to you all this morning/evening, wherever you are.
Patience and laughter: yes, that about covers everything - thank you Soen Joon :-)
Only time to sit for 5 minutes yesterday morning and I only got back to it at 11.30 pm. I knew I would, though, which is a good feeling. Making a habit strong enough to be released from choice: I have visualised this but never achieved it. Last night I felt that perhaps I was coming close (I'm sure there will be many blips, though!). Sat for half an hour - tired and distracted at first, but gradually quieter and clearer. Thinking of the conversation here with Ruth, I followed a few minutes of focusing on my breath with some loving kindness meditation directed at myself and at the friend I'm feeling cross with. I think this helped and will try to do it every day. Late getting up and only time to sit for 5 minutes again this morning. More later.
Leslee, hugs to you. I remember the first time I did any body work (it was Alexander technique), no one had told me that releasing physical tension could also release emotions and I was so shocked when I started crying and cried throughout the session. I think that release is a great blessing: all those tears we hold grimly inside, not even realising it - what are we doing?
While my drive towards euphoria might seem frivolous, and so I've been holding back from it, I awoke this morning with the realization that I need to meditate into pure bliss so that I am deeply connected to nothingness and exploding with love the way the sun first lights the sky and then emerges, a cauldron of life-affirming flames. When I find the inexpugnable joy within, I can cope with anything, and whatever I receive, I receive with gratitude. It's okay to be happy.
Now I'm going to meditate until I feel like a cauldron of light, the heaving darkness and the delerium of brightness, of joy, overflowing.
I love reading all the comments! sj, how beautiful, on the eve of enlightenment...
ruth, in the Summer, in a hut out back of my friend's, I meditated often to the sounds of neighbours' power drills and power lawn mowers; it was most challenging. But I felt like I was boring deeply into places in myself and renovating, trimming myself... and flowing with the energy of the men who were working so hard. :)
xo
Inspired by the dawn's rosey-streaked aqua clarity, and fortified first by comments here(SJ's lovely entry, DE's description of rain and train in the dark, Leslee's humor, J's kindness meditation, B's inexpugnable joy, Jude's self-patience), I went and sat 20 minutes. The calls of children playing outside were a wash in the background like the sound of gulls and waves. Then, halfway through, the sudden entry into the soundscape of a loud backup beeper made me laugh out loud, thinking of Ruth's comments. Patience and laughter, yes, indeed. Thank you all.
20 minutes yesterday, in my office, and 14 accumulations in the evening.
Devon, I love that too, meditating late night or early morning to the patter (or roar) of the rain. You get to do that a lot in Oregon :-)
I've enjoyed reading these comments.
I sit very early morning too, when it's dark and quiet - just my little candle, incense and a street lamp shining through the branches of the trees outside my window. It's my favourite time of the day. An occasional car, that's all. But on Mondays my sessions often coincide with the refuse collection and the accompanying clatterings, motor noises and bangings, and the refuse collectors shouting to each other. And that's fine - it makes a rousing start to the working week!
I am glad to be doing this. The group energy helps in ways I can't define. I like BRenda's comment too about it being Okay to be happy.
Leslee:hugs and more hugs yes, the body can store an enormous amount of emotion, particularly if it isn't expressed at the time. With yoga I'm generally OK but i did some Pilates a little while back with heavy work on the abdominals and the emotional stuff it threw up! I was amazed but my instructor said that a strong emotional reaction was quite common ...
Oh yes, my 2 pence on the mechanics. I find sitting cross legged for any length of time difficult - always have done even when younger. I used to kneel which I found easyand very comfortable but then I tore a liagament in my knee through too much kneeling! So now I sit in a chair. I have yet to try a meditation stool.
Hey there, everyone...
Today I sat in the afternoon after walking the dog (versus in the morning as I prefer). I was planning to sit for 20 minutes but stopped about 5 minutes early to take a nap instead.
Usually when I'm sleepy during meditation I fight it (imagine the head-jerks of a person trying to stay awake but nodding off). But today I just gently settled into an increasingly relaxed state, then transferred myself from mat to couch...
One of these days, we all will learn how to show our own selves & bodies the same compassion we strive to show others. It's a noble goal, at least.
Soen Joon: Thanks for sharing this comment on the body's remembered pains and joys, and the healing that comes with paying attention to it.
And thanks to all for your hugs and support.
Post a Comment
<< Home