Finally the seventh day is up! Sleeping in, were we? :-)
Many thanks for the posture tips yesterday, having my knees below my hips makes all the difference. I found after fifteen minutes that my hamster mind was just too fidgety, but my body loved it and wanted to carry on. There is indeed a posture in which the body keeps itself in place without seeming to expend any energy, like a stone arch held up by its own weight; marvellously refreshing.
Mary, I'm feeling guilty that you're posting the new day every day. Getting up early is something I just can't do. This morning, though, I was meditating at 7, which is really early for me (and it was so peaceful - no traffic, just starting to get light by the time I finished). This is due to my new walking regime which is making me tired earlier, so to bed earlier, so... so you never know, in time you might see me here really early one morning. Sat for half an hour - 20 minutes minfulness of breathing and 10 minutes of loving kindness. Feeling so good about this. The past months since we started this in September have not been easy at all, but this is one thing that's radiated through them positively.
Remember, Jean: this is a guilt-free zone! Sleeping in is okay as long as you "wake up" eventually. :-)
Udge, I'm glad you found the posture tip that made the difference! In addition to the wisdom of having knees below hips, I've found it's important to have knees at least shoulder width apart (this is applicable if you sit in kneeling position or in a chair). If you keep your knees together (like a lady, my mom would add!), it hurts the tendon on the outside of the knees (at least in my experience).
I took yesterday off from meditating, so I'll be back on the cushion later today, after I've slept off the remaining after-effects of last night's birthday celebration... :-)
Eureka ... I found a way to sit more comfortably in a chair ... thanks to all good friends here who offered suggestions.
The key for me was to have my knees below my hips, and to do this I used a higher chair and a cushion on it. Resting my butt on the front edge of the cushion provided the same spinal alignment and feel of sitting on the floor. This felt considerably more grounded, and I sat again late last night with just the light of a candle
Monkey mind a little too busy today, so I'll postpone sitting until later. Struggling to learn some HTML and to set up a blog that might allow a bit more freedom than my PictureTrail albums.
Sat this morning c. 10 minutes. Would love it to have been longer and Ireally did not want to finish but I am doing a course both days this weekend and had to leave to catch the tube - otherwise I would have been late. My meditation space was just a peaceful place to be this morning.
Jean: don't worry! I am generally a very early riser - a bit like Dale was when he was posting the date last year. I enjoy doing it but by the same token I don't mind a bit if log on and find you or Ruth (or anyone else) has beaten me to it. And the Blogger problem I was having has resolved itself - clearing the cache did the trick (thanks MB!).
Okay, not even a week into it and I have to repair my commitment... failed to meditate yesterday.
For various reasons Friday is a difficult day for me. Instead of fighting it I think I'm just going to recommit to 3 minutes of shamatha and 3 accumulations on every day but Friday.
I did sit five minutes today, and do 21 accumulations. (& Sundays are easy, for the shamatha anyway, because I sit at the Center Sunday evenings.)
Sat this morning for 15 minutes. 7 days already! It feels good, but I know I'll hit a backlash at some point and will get cranky about it. Committing here is good because I know I'll continue anyway.
The only free time I had today was a subway ride. I had a seat this time. I pulled my soft winter hat down low, touched tip of forefinger and thumb together, but on my lap, figuring at least the circuit of energy was connected. But I meditate with my eyes open, focusing on the tip of my nose, and my hands were just too white, too distracting. So I hid them under my black gloves. Odd how we are. The stops went by, Bathurst, Castle Frank, Pape, Greenwood, Woodbine, Victoria Park, there were more, finally Kennedy, where I closed my meditation, clocking in almost half and hour, disembarked to catch a Rapid Transit train that is exactly like a skytrain in Vancouver, bringing back such a flood of memories I almost expected to see mountains outside the window.
Welcome, Nicole: there's no better day to start than today! :-)
I was getting ready for bed (yawn!) when I remembered I hadn't sat today. So I just now sat for 15 minutes in my pajamas, which are actually quite comfortable for meditation.
12 Comments:
Finally the seventh day is up! Sleeping in, were we? :-)
Many thanks for the posture tips yesterday, having my knees below my hips makes all the difference.
I found after fifteen minutes that my hamster mind was just too fidgety, but my body loved it and wanted to carry on. There is indeed a posture in which the body keeps itself in place without seeming to expend any energy, like a stone arch held up by its own weight; marvellously refreshing.
This meditation really is good stuff!
udge: you made me laugh! meditation report later :-)
Mary, I'm feeling guilty that you're posting the new day every day. Getting up early is something I just can't do. This morning, though, I was meditating at 7, which is really early for me (and it was so peaceful - no traffic, just starting to get light by the time I finished). This is due to my new walking regime which is making me tired earlier, so to bed earlier, so... so you never know, in time you might see me here really early one morning. Sat for half an hour - 20 minutes minfulness of breathing and 10 minutes of loving kindness. Feeling so good about this. The past months since we started this in September have not been easy at all, but this is one thing that's radiated through them positively.
Remember, Jean: this is a guilt-free zone! Sleeping in is okay as long as you "wake up" eventually. :-)
Udge, I'm glad you found the posture tip that made the difference! In addition to the wisdom of having knees below hips, I've found it's important to have knees at least shoulder width apart (this is applicable if you sit in kneeling position or in a chair). If you keep your knees together (like a lady, my mom would add!), it hurts the tendon on the outside of the knees (at least in my experience).
I took yesterday off from meditating, so I'll be back on the cushion later today, after I've slept off the remaining after-effects of last night's birthday celebration... :-)
Eureka ... I found a way to sit more comfortably in a chair ... thanks to all good friends here who offered suggestions.
The key for me was to have my knees below my hips, and to do this I used a higher chair and a cushion on it. Resting my butt on the front edge of the cushion provided the same spinal alignment and feel of sitting on the floor. This felt considerably more grounded, and I sat again late last night with just the light of a candle
Monkey mind a little too busy today, so I'll postpone sitting until later. Struggling to learn some HTML and to set up a blog that might allow a bit more freedom than my PictureTrail albums.
Sat this morning c. 10 minutes. Would love it to have been longer and Ireally did not want to finish but I am doing a course both days this weekend and had to leave to catch the tube - otherwise I would have been late. My meditation space was just a peaceful place to be this morning.
Jean: don't worry! I am generally a very early riser - a bit like Dale was when he was posting the date last year. I enjoy doing it but by the same token I don't mind a bit if log on and find you or Ruth (or anyone else) has beaten me to it. And the Blogger problem I was having has resolved itself - clearing the cache did the trick (thanks MB!).
Okay, not even a week into it and I have to repair my commitment... failed to meditate yesterday.
For various reasons Friday is a difficult day for me. Instead of fighting it I think I'm just going to recommit to 3 minutes of shamatha and 3 accumulations on every day but Friday.
I did sit five minutes today, and do 21 accumulations. (& Sundays are easy, for the shamatha anyway, because I sit at the Center Sunday evenings.)
sat in the bath. it was a choice between bath and sitting so i did both together (concert day allowance). wet and smelly (citrus weleda stuff) - nice.
I had a jolly good raclette up in the mountains and enjoyed a new awareness of presence in the concert.
Welcome, Nicole!
Ruth: Sitting in the bath sounds wonderful.
Sat this morning for 15 minutes. 7 days already! It feels good, but I know I'll hit a backlash at some point and will get cranky about it. Committing here is good because I know I'll continue anyway.
Welcome, Nicole.
The only free time I had today was a subway ride. I had a seat this time. I pulled my soft winter hat down low, touched tip of forefinger and thumb together, but on my lap, figuring at least the circuit of energy was connected. But I meditate with my eyes open, focusing on the tip of my nose, and my hands were just too white, too distracting. So I hid them under my black gloves. Odd how we are. The stops went by, Bathurst, Castle Frank, Pape, Greenwood, Woodbine, Victoria Park, there were more, finally Kennedy, where I closed my meditation, clocking in almost half and hour, disembarked to catch a Rapid Transit train that is exactly like a skytrain in Vancouver, bringing back such a flood of memories I almost expected to see mountains outside the window.
Welcome, Nicole: there's no better day to start than today! :-)
I was getting ready for bed (yawn!) when I remembered I hadn't sat today. So I just now sat for 15 minutes in my pajamas, which are actually quite comfortable for meditation.
g'night, everyone!
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