I think Jean, that perhaps we need a facelift?! a new system whereby it is not marked by the day perhaps, but rather a blog where people can post when they want to, and maybe which is specifically about meditation practice (we do get into all sorts of personal stuff here!!!) and any inspiring texts or sites people have stumbled accross and want to share?. My personal hunch is we need a bit more form, and for the thing to move into a less personal framework, but that is only my feeling. I also had the idea that it might be nice to ask people we meet who are 'qualified' (someone who runs your group?) to perhaps contribute a piece now and then (once a month?) to inspire us to keep going. I for one am looking forward to getting back OUT in spring and meditating in nature. Our house is so chaotic and dusty and messy at the moment and, although I know that is not an excuse, I find I have no place to practice.
What do others think? I wonder if an online support group exists, - I know you can sign up for courses, and if not perhaps it is time to let go of one thing and evolve into a different animal?
Whether we are there or not, I think it is a great thing, even if someone passes through for a week to help them get started, and then perhaps comes back after a year?
I'd be more than happy to contribute to something like that. My only qualm is that with more content it would be much harder to remain 'non-sectarian'.
I, too, would hate to see this go completely. Even as I've "attended" in haphazard fashion, I've found it a helpful thing to do, a touchstone of a sort. I like Ruth's suggestion of considering another approach.
Ruth, thank you very much for reminding me of your own story of the frozen shoulder. I found it very encouraging indeed at a point when I was feeling quite low about it to know that you've made it through. This is hell, as you said. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It seems to be hard to communicate the nature of it to one who hasn't experienced it. It's my right shoulder and I am unable to play guitar at the moment. However, my "mantra" is: it will get better, it will get better, it will get better... and I am pursuing (tortuous) physical therapy. Thanks, all of you, for the support you've expressed. It means so much to me.
Oh, gosh, I would hate to have 100 Days end, though I too have been wondering about its future. Maybe we should make a list of past participants and ask them what might energize the blog for them? Dale, are you there?
For me, the personal aspect is important. I don't think I'd participate in a blog that was just about technique, for instance. Also, i feel it's got pretty far int he direction of Buddhist meditation, s o that I was less willing to talk about my contemplative prayer practice as "practice." That's not because of anything anyone said or did, it's just felt like ...meditation or else! So if I wasn't meditating regularly, I felt like I had nothing to say, while in fact I was doing something else...
To be totally honest, I think the energy started going out of the blog when Brenda left. Perhaps we should talk about that; I don't think it was her absence, but the lingering sense that we had done something "wrong."
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Ruth, I know what you mean. I would miss this place too, and it means no less to me than ever. But I don't want us to just peter out. Suggestions?
Meantime, I will try and work out some times for sitting together on Day 100 - next Tuesday.
I think Jean, that perhaps we need a facelift?! a new system whereby it is not marked by the day perhaps, but rather a blog where people can post when they want to, and maybe which is specifically about meditation practice (we do get into all sorts of personal stuff here!!!) and any inspiring texts or sites people have stumbled accross and want to share?. My personal hunch is we need a bit more form, and for the thing to move into a less personal framework, but that is only my feeling. I also had the idea that it might be nice to ask people we meet who are 'qualified' (someone who runs your group?) to perhaps contribute a piece now and then (once a month?) to inspire us to keep going.
I for one am looking forward to getting back OUT in spring and meditating in nature. Our house is so chaotic and dusty and messy at the moment and, although I know that is not an excuse, I find I have no place to practice.
What do others think? I wonder if an online support group exists, - I know you can sign up for courses, and if not perhaps it is time to let go of one thing and evolve into a different animal?
Whether we are there or not, I think it is a great thing, even if someone passes through for a week to help them get started, and then perhaps comes back after a year?
I'd be more than happy to contribute to something like that. My only qualm is that with more content it would be much harder to remain 'non-sectarian'.
I, too, would hate to see this go completely. Even as I've "attended" in haphazard fashion, I've found it a helpful thing to do, a touchstone of a sort. I like Ruth's suggestion of considering another approach.
Ruth, thank you very much for reminding me of your own story of the frozen shoulder. I found it very encouraging indeed at a point when I was feeling quite low about it to know that you've made it through. This is hell, as you said. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It seems to be hard to communicate the nature of it to one who hasn't experienced it. It's my right shoulder and I am unable to play guitar at the moment. However, my "mantra" is: it will get better, it will get better, it will get better... and I am pursuing (tortuous) physical therapy. Thanks, all of you, for the support you've expressed. It means so much to me.
Oh, gosh, I would hate to have 100 Days end, though I too have been wondering about its future. Maybe we should make a list of past participants and ask them what might energize the blog for them? Dale, are you there?
For me, the personal aspect is important. I don't think I'd participate in a blog that was just about technique, for instance. Also, i feel it's got pretty far int he direction of Buddhist meditation, s o that I was less willing to talk about my contemplative prayer practice as "practice." That's not because of anything anyone said or did, it's just felt like ...meditation or else! So if I wasn't meditating regularly, I felt like I had nothing to say, while in fact I was doing something else...
To be totally honest, I think the energy started going out of the blog when Brenda left. Perhaps we should talk about that; I don't think it was her absence, but the lingering sense that we had done something "wrong."
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