“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.”
~Margaret J. Wheatley
Upon reflection on my day of meditation and the investigation of it - I am reminded that the best method of operation is to keep it simple!
For todays meditation I chose one (out of 112 different types!) called Mindfulness Meditation. Mindfulness is the ability to focus our mind on the present moment - keeping my head where my feet are and yes, there's actually a meditation to help US achieve this.
Here's how I did it:
1. Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on the floor with your head, neck and back straight but not stiff.
2. Try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present.
3. Become aware of your breathing, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall, the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and is different.
4. Watch every thought come and go, whether it be a worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't ignore or suppress them but simply note them, remain calm and use your breathing as an anchor.
5. If you find yourself caught up in your thoughts, observe where your mind went off to, without judging, and simply return to your breathing. Remember not to be hard on yourself if this happens. Work towards gently bringing your mind back to focus as if your mind were an infant crawling off of its security blanket.
6. As the time comes to a close, sit for a minute or two, becoming aware of where you are. Get up gradually.
