What a difference a day makes, and an hour, and a minute. Having started yesterday feeling weary and daunted, sitting to meditate first thing and then my yoga class at lunchtime really turned things around, and by evening I had energy again to work until late.
What I find myself trying to explain to friends who don't meditate is how it's about being present to everything - the opposite of withdrawing, which is often what they think; generating energy and openness by being quiet and feeling the source.
Leslee, crying is a meditation too. Fully & deeply & completely; it's like being washed clean. When the storm breaks, it pelts.
Afterwards is so fresh and clear.
Do I want to be someone other than I am? Hmmn. Can't think I ever have. But I've always wanted to be more of who I am. Being in the moments of flow more often. Where inner and outer synchronize in beautiful ways. Those times writing flows, or artwork, or a conversation with a friend, or lovemaking with your lover, or mediation is deep and deeply peaceful. When the dish of food you're tossing together is rich with colour and texture and taste. The person for whom it flows together is who I'd like to be.
Only glimpses of it, though.
And then there's Doniger's book, 'The Woman Who Pretended to Be Who She Was,' but more in reference to movie stars. Still, we can impersonate ourselves, I don't see why not. We can pretend to be the selves that we want to be and thus become them?
I really like my life, who I am nowadays, except that there isn't enough money in it. So that's where my struggle is, in the income-producing interface. If I could reformat and change the default settings, what would I change them to?
leslee, I cried deeply in a meditation recently. I wasn't sure what to do, but I could feel patterns unlocking through merely observing them . Long family inheritences I really do not need in my life, but because there was no blame it felt like soft rain.
I did not sit today. Our schedule is exhausting in Lyon. I sit from 2 till 11 every day and have terrible piles as a result! so I am making movement my priority - running an hour a day. I actually feel very alive and awake to nature then, but I know it's not the same. However, I did take 10 minutes in the rehearsal break to lie doing a yogic breathing excersise and felt very centred.
I wouldn't have taken even that time for myself without y'all so thank you.
Hi Jean - I know what you mean about "trying to explain". I don't really think it's possible, and don't even try. Maybe Lorianne and Dale will say something about this.
Same thing when people ask me about working at Hospice ... they just assume it's depressing, and I can't tell them what it's really like.
ps ... I'm joining your Thousand Mile Walk today, and thanks for link to Tom's blog
I want to thank everyone for your kind words and hugs and sharing your own tearful meditations. It's just the way it is sometimes. I'm lucky to have your support here. And lucky that the universe always manages to send me what I need when I need it. A friend forwarded something very relevant yesterday, and it gave me hope for making practical changes in my love life, along with the ongoing inner work I have to do.
Today I didn't sit, first time in the 100 days. I didn't get a lot of sleep, and then had to run off to an appointment with the healer I've been working with. Good support from her today as well. Tomorrow I'll sit again.
After some days not sitting (mea culpa) I've just had 30 minutes. Recently there never seems not to be a lot happening, mostly beyond my control. It really helps to calm and clarify.
My partner's father died this afternoon. I should be really happy if anyone who cares to would hold him in their practice for this next stage of his journey. He was a lovely man, simple, humble and full of uncomplicated love for those around him.
Oh, I'm sorry, qB! It just keeps coming for you guys. I certainly will hold him in my practice. Easier for me somehow if I have a name (just a first name I mean), but I will in any case.
No, Janice, I don't have any bright ideas about how to explain, except that it's almost always better to avoid trying. (Yes, yes, I know. Do as I say, not as I do :->)
Oh, qb...I'm sorry! I'll keep Andros & his family in my practice.
Regarding explaining meditation, I usually try to be very simple in my explanations, focusing on what I *do* versus what I *get.* In other words, I'll say something like, "Meditation is an opportunity to follow my breath while observing the present moment" versus "Meditation makes me a calmer, more compassionate person."
The former is true 100% of the time: following my breath & observing the present moment is what I *do* in meditation, guaranteed. If I say the other, though, then the other person will immediately start *watching me* for proof of "calmness" and "compassion," so the second I act like a jackass, their image of meditation will be shattered! :-)
Friday is my "lazy" day, and today I drove down to Massachusetts to have brunch with a friend. So apart from the usual quiet mindfulness I try to practice while driving, I haven't meditated...but I did come home from a marvelous brunch & sunny afternoon walk with sore sides from laughing with my friend so much, so I consider the day very well spent.
I'll try to sit a bit before bedtime tonight, but if not, there's always tomorrow. :-)
10 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Day twenty: how time flies!
What a difference a day makes, and an hour, and a minute. Having started yesterday feeling weary and daunted, sitting to meditate first thing and then my yoga class at lunchtime really turned things around, and by evening I had energy again to work until late.
What I find myself trying to explain to friends who don't meditate is how it's about being present to everything - the opposite of withdrawing, which is often what they think; generating energy and openness by being quiet and feeling the source.
Leslee, crying is a meditation too. Fully & deeply & completely; it's like being washed clean. When the storm breaks, it pelts.
Afterwards is so fresh and clear.
Do I want to be someone other than I am? Hmmn. Can't think I ever have. But I've always wanted to be more of who I am. Being in the moments of flow more often. Where inner and outer synchronize in beautiful ways. Those times writing flows, or artwork, or a conversation with a friend, or lovemaking with your lover, or mediation is deep and deeply peaceful. When the dish of food you're tossing together is rich with colour and texture and taste. The person for whom it flows together is who I'd like to be.
Only glimpses of it, though.
And then there's Doniger's book, 'The Woman Who Pretended to Be Who She Was,' but more in reference to movie stars. Still, we can impersonate ourselves, I don't see why not. We can pretend to be the selves that we want to be and thus become them?
I really like my life, who I am nowadays, except that there isn't enough money in it. So that's where my struggle is, in the income-producing interface. If I could reformat and change the default settings, what would I change them to?
Much to ponder...
{{{hugs}}} everyone
leslee, I cried deeply in a meditation recently. I wasn't sure what to do, but I could feel patterns unlocking through merely observing them . Long family inheritences I really do not need in my life, but because there was no blame it felt like soft rain.
I did not sit today. Our schedule is exhausting in Lyon. I sit from 2 till 11 every day and have terrible piles as a result! so I am making movement my priority - running an hour a day. I actually feel very alive and awake to nature then, but I know it's not the same. However, I did take 10 minutes in the rehearsal break to lie doing a yogic breathing excersise and felt very centred.
I wouldn't have taken even that time for myself without y'all so thank you.
Hi Jean - I know what you mean about "trying to explain". I don't really think it's possible, and don't even try. Maybe Lorianne and Dale will say something about this.
Same thing when people ask me about working at Hospice ... they just assume it's depressing, and I can't tell them what it's really like.
ps ... I'm joining your Thousand Mile Walk today, and thanks for link to Tom's blog
I want to thank everyone for your kind words and hugs and sharing your own tearful meditations. It's just the way it is sometimes. I'm lucky to have your support here. And lucky that the universe always manages to send me what I need when I need it. A friend forwarded something very relevant yesterday, and it gave me hope for making practical changes in my love life, along with the ongoing inner work I have to do.
Today I didn't sit, first time in the 100 days. I didn't get a lot of sleep, and then had to run off to an appointment with the healer I've been working with. Good support from her today as well. Tomorrow I'll sit again.
Best to all of you!
After some days not sitting (mea culpa) I've just had 30 minutes. Recently there never seems not to be a lot happening, mostly beyond my control. It really helps to calm and clarify.
My partner's father died this afternoon. I should be really happy if anyone who cares to would hold him in their practice for this next stage of his journey. He was a lovely man, simple, humble and full of uncomplicated love for those around him.
Oh, I'm sorry, qB! It just keeps coming for you guys. I certainly will hold him in my practice. Easier for me somehow if I have a name (just a first name I mean), but I will in any case.
No, Janice, I don't have any bright ideas about how to explain, except that it's almost always better to avoid trying. (Yes, yes, I know. Do as I say, not as I do :->)
Thanks Dale, that gives me great comfort.
His name was Andros (Andrew) Loucas. And he had a terrible temper too, btw :-)
Oh, qb...I'm sorry! I'll keep Andros & his family in my practice.
Regarding explaining meditation, I usually try to be very simple in my explanations, focusing on what I *do* versus what I *get.* In other words, I'll say something like, "Meditation is an opportunity to follow my breath while observing the present moment" versus "Meditation makes me a calmer, more compassionate person."
The former is true 100% of the time: following my breath & observing the present moment is what I *do* in meditation, guaranteed. If I say the other, though, then the other person will immediately start *watching me* for proof of "calmness" and "compassion," so the second I act like a jackass, their image of meditation will be shattered! :-)
Friday is my "lazy" day, and today I drove down to Massachusetts to have brunch with a friend. So apart from the usual quiet mindfulness I try to practice while driving, I haven't meditated...but I did come home from a marvelous brunch & sunny afternoon walk with sore sides from laughing with my friend so much, so I consider the day very well spent.
I'll try to sit a bit before bedtime tonight, but if not, there's always tomorrow. :-)
Post a Comment
<< Home