Monday, November 01, 2010

Sometimes i sits and thinks...

Me! I signed my cynical self up and took a meditation class a few nights ago.  And i shall return and take a few more.

I'm not sure if it was epic or not.  Actally, that's not true, i am sure that it was not epic. But i am committed to sticking with it for a while and getting out of it that which i can get out of it.

Yeah, there was a bit too much "trying to feel the love and light in my heart" stuff.  I can't really feel the love in my heart behind all the fear.  But maybe that right there tells you that i need to go.

Perhaps it's really just a good excuse to sit still for an hour without the distractions of home.  (I really should put those dishes in the dishwasher and then move the laundry along, you know, that sort of thing.)

I tried doing it the next day at home, but there was a cat who insisted that he must sit on my lap.  I don't think that meditating with a cat on my lap is a bad thing, but it was distracting.

I did come home feeling relaxed.  Which lasted for all of 20 minutes, but it's a start.

20 comments:

cats R always helpful said...

I'm having a similar relationship with my yoga class. Benefits? Sure, but I think my goals are less noble than the class objectives. The objective of increasing self-awareness is the polar opposite of my goal to escape my own brain for an hour.

Marshamlow said...

I have missed you. I have never been successful at meditation, I keep thinking I should try again. I hope you get what you need out of it.

JelliDonut said...

The only way I can meditate is if I'm in a coma. I've tried but somehow it escapes me. Glad you're back.

mischief said...

Feeling the love behind all the fear is tricky, even when you've nothing specific to fear and my gut tells me you are too highly evolved for that kind of nonsense, but this is exactly the place where Mr. Feline may have been attempting to teach you an object lesson. I wish you happy breathing and nothing to fear, and many more consecutive 20 minutes-es of relaxation in the very near future.

meno said...

cats R, you have nailed it exactly. That is my goal too.

marsha, i've never really tried before. But i keep reading that it's a good thig for us.

jelli, ha! Perhaps i will be of the coma persuasion myself. We'll see.

mischief, thank you. I am hopeful that will be the case.

nick said...

I tried meditation many years back but couldn't get the hang of it at all. I think my brain's just too restless. And I find it difficult to empty my mind in the middle of a crowd of people. I'm too curious about them all.

I do envy cats their natural ability to meditate anywhere at any time.

peevish said...

I applaud you for making this move in a positive, self-affirming direction. Me, I'm terrified of the very idea of meditation. Yoga, yes, because my body had much to learn, and I can focus on that during a yoga session. But meditation? No, I'm not there yet. Let us know what happens. Go, you!

Anonymous said...

I have some suggestions: come to it with an intention and a mantra. Repeating the mantra is something to keep your "busy mind" occupied and the intention is whatever you want to turn your mind toward. When you first come to it, spend a minute or so acknowledging whatis happening, being aware of how you feel physically, how you feel emotionally, and what is on your mind. There is no right thing in this acknowledging. Maybe you are tired, mad, and distracted. Be that, without trying to fight it. Then begin with the mantra and intentions. If you have various levels/topics to address in your intention, use a chime or something to remind you to move on, or beads, or counted strokes of the cat's fur.

If you are feeling afraid, or in pain and can't get away from it, sometimes it can feel better to use a form of Mitry meditation, where you allow your fear/pain to represent every one's fear/pain. You carry it for a while, and then release it. It doesn't stop existing, but someone else carries it.

Clowncar said...

I like to meditate with a cat in my lap, a beer in my hand, and the TV on, all while compulsively checking my email.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I have always wanted to learn to meditate because of the many benefits others tout, but have never had much luck with it. I think I suffer from "monkey mind" and have a hard time being still. Good luck with it! I hope it continues to be a good experience.

meno said...

nick, meditation for the restless brain! There's an idea for a class.

peevish, i'm trying yoga too. The class i took yesterday was not for cowards. Who knew?

de, Wow! thanks for all these great suggestions. I will try them all.

clowncar, yeah, that's my normal meditation mode, minus the beer and plus a glass of wine.

hearts, that's why i am going to a class. That will force me to stay still.

Anonymous said...

Baby steps.

luckyzmom said...

A worthwhile endeavor indeed. Thanks for reminding me.

Taradharma said...

i find that meditation is very very challenging. Many obstacles - the fear and the infamous 'monkey mind' are always bubbling up.

I meditated at a center for awhile, and what I didn't like was the chanting and discussion afterward. I just wanted to meditate and go quietly on my way. Keep at it, your experience may be completely different from mine. I hope to try it again, somewhere else.

Mrs4444 said...

You have to sit still to meditate. I don't do that too often. Have you continued?

peevish said...

knock knock

Mels Place in Big Bear said...

How weird that I am reading this right now. As of tomorrow, I am calling a writer who wrote a book that really touched me about meditation. It's called "Choosing to Be" and it's told from the perspective of a Maine Coon cat! Apparently meditation can happen with a feline present! Wow, weird. Anyway, you are brilliant and I'm happy to be catching up on your posts. Miss you.

Andrea

PS: book is by Kat Tansey http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/family/sex/meditating-on-marriage-kat-tan

Dick said...

I sort of meditate every night after dinner while I drink my glass of wine and watch the news. I meditate about what crazy things will happen next in the world and wonder where all the sanity that we used to have went. Although I expect that is about what my parents would have done, wondering about the insanity of "my" world 40 years ago. Although I don't think they would have enjoyed wine along with the TV news.

Neither you nor I have been very regular with our blogging, I see. More of that craziness in the world is probably what is keeping us away from it. But I do try to check in now and then and once in awhile I even manage to make a post of my own on my blog. Good to "see" you are still here, even if not as regularly as you used to be.

nick said...

Happy New Year, Meno! What are you up to?

andrea frazer said...

Checking in on you again. Here's the Kat Tansey link. I just laugh every time I see this post. I think of this really sweet writer and her cat and her wisdom, so there you have it again. Hope you are well.

http://www.kat-tansey.com/