.. and I just want to elaborate on how helpful physical activity (such as yoga) has been both as an opportunity to be mindful and as a preparation for sitting. It dissolved so much physical and nervous stress yesterday.
I know some of Buddhists here do bows on occasions. I imagine that is similar though I imagine there is a deeper significance as well.
Mary, I've been wanting to get back into the practice of bowing. For me, bowing is like eating my vegetables: very good for me, but not as fun as eating chocolate. :-)
Right now is the busiest time of the semester (how many times have I said that?), so finding time to sit is a challenge. But I've been doing lots of "walking the dog" meditation as well as "standing meditation" when I let him out in the morning.
(Really, if I didn't have a dog, I wonder if I'd practice at all...???)
Been very tired in mornings due to lack of sleep, but finding I can sit in the evening or late at night if I really want to. Been trying not to force it, but see if the practice is strong enough to surface as a priority if I don't sit for a day or two. Seems like it is, which makes me happy.
<< When I sit quietly for long enough to let my mind settle into stillness, I become aware of an inner Presence, a sense of being that is wordless and calm. That quiet Presence is not only calming but also tends to put everything else into perspective, showing me the difference between what truly matters and what is only of temporary importance.
The keys to your personal dharma, the secrets of what it means to live the life you're meant to live, begin to reveal themselves quite naturally when you have that sense of perspective. And it develops on its own, over time, as you sit in meditation every day with the intention to touch your true Self.
So, when you're faced with decisions of personal dharma, whether they are big questions or small ones, try applying a final criterion: Sit down for a moment and focus on your breath, observing the flow of thoughts and emotions. When you feel a bit of space in your mind, breathe into that space, and ask yourself, Which choice will take me closer to my true Self? Then wait, paying careful attention to the feeling that arises. When the feeling comes, attend to it. The more you get to know it, the more it will be there to guide you and the more you will be living your own dharma, the deep truth of your most personal and most universal being. >>
By Sally Kempton/Durgananda: www.sallykempton.com
in Yoga Journal meditation e-newsletter, subscribe at: http://tinyurl.com/yyu2mo
Jean ... my meditation practice comes largely from yoga, so I appreciated your comments from the Yoga Journal newsletter
and I re-read that article Sally Kempton wrote in the December issue ... about generosity
generosity of spirit is most important to me, and I wanted to share this bit with all of you because I know you'll appreciate it
at the Remembrance Day services in Ottawa, the rabbi's words touched me deeply ... he sent his words and prayers to be read for him because it was Saturday, the Jewish sabbath ... at the very end, he said:
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Good morning (or good evening).
That was me above. At this hour it seems I can't write coherently.
Dale: Am remembering ..... :-)
Nothing but uncertainty at the moment. Home. Job. Relationships. And 5 minutes sitting seems to be the maximum I can manage. Yoga yesterday helped.
Have a good day everyone.
.. and I just want to elaborate on how helpful physical activity (such as yoga) has been both as an opportunity to be mindful and as a preparation for sitting. It dissolved so much physical and nervous stress yesterday.
I know some of Buddhists here do bows on occasions. I imagine that is similar though I imagine there is a deeper significance as well.
Mary, I've been wanting to get back into the practice of bowing. For me, bowing is like eating my vegetables: very good for me, but not as fun as eating chocolate. :-)
Right now is the busiest time of the semester (how many times have I said that?), so finding time to sit is a challenge. But I've been doing lots of "walking the dog" meditation as well as "standing meditation" when I let him out in the morning.
(Really, if I didn't have a dog, I wonder if I'd practice at all...???)
Been very tired in mornings due to lack of sleep, but finding I can sit in the evening or late at night if I really want to. Been trying not to force it, but see if the practice is strong enough to surface as a priority if I don't sit for a day or two. Seems like it is, which makes me happy.
((Mary)))
Lorianne, Thanksgiving break soon, I think?
<< When I sit quietly for long enough to let my mind settle into stillness, I become aware of an inner Presence, a sense of being that is wordless and calm. That quiet Presence is not only calming but also tends to put everything else into perspective, showing me the difference between what truly matters and what is only of temporary importance.
The keys to your personal dharma, the secrets of what it means to live the life you're meant to live, begin to reveal themselves quite naturally when you have that sense of perspective. And it develops on its own, over time, as you sit in meditation every day with the intention to touch your true Self.
So, when you're faced with decisions of personal dharma, whether they are big questions or small ones, try applying a final criterion: Sit down for a moment and focus on your breath, observing the flow of thoughts and emotions. When you feel a bit of space in your mind, breathe into that space, and ask yourself, Which choice will take me closer to my true Self? Then wait, paying careful attention to the feeling that arises. When the feeling comes, attend to it. The more you get to know it, the more it will be there to guide you and the more you will be living your own dharma, the deep truth of your most personal and most universal being. >>
By Sally Kempton/Durgananda: www.sallykempton.com
in Yoga Journal meditation e-newsletter, subscribe at: http://tinyurl.com/yyu2mo
Jean ... my meditation practice comes largely from yoga, so I appreciated your comments from the Yoga Journal newsletter
and I re-read that article Sally Kempton wrote in the December issue ... about generosity
generosity of spirit is most important to me, and I wanted to share this bit with all of you because I know you'll appreciate it
at the Remembrance Day services in Ottawa, the rabbi's words touched me deeply ... he sent his words and prayers to be read for him because it was Saturday, the Jewish sabbath ... at the very end, he said:
"pray for those who hate us"
Lorianne: chocolate takes a lot of beating, I agree. And I find your dogwalking meditations very encouraging ...
Jean: Thank you for posting that helpful excerpt. Itcertainly speaks to me. Glad you're back.
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