"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Teilhard de Chardin

Saturday, October 2, 2010

~Meditation and Self Discipline~




A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Chinese Proverb

There are so many benefits to meditation that I often wish I had begun a regular practice years ago. The truth is I was introduced to meditation 14 years before I began my daily practice. My memories of those early meditative journeys are all positive. Each experience brought a different fruit. The first was a guided group meditation. It felt so freeing and expansive to sit in a room full of people and be guided into white fleecy clouds. Of course, I didn't have a clue what I was doing but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Once while visiting a friend a Shaman led us through a mediation where we swam with dolphins. Talk about expansive - imagining myself swimming side by side such a majestic creature was breath taking and obviously very memorable. There were other meditative journeys over the years each was unique in method and benefit. So why did it take me so long to begin a daily practice?

Because I lack self discipline. It was so difficult for me to learn to meditate that I thought for a long time that I should just give up. But something about the practice and the phenomenal benefits kept drawing me back in. Once I became so disgusted with my inability to sit for three minutes without opening my eyes exasperated - I threw the timer across the room - now you know why I needed meditation!!! (Patience is a virtue I didn't possess either!) Another discipline issue I had was keeping my eyes closed. I really never thought I could overcome that one! I'd blink and half open my eyes to peak...it was agonizing some days but I was determined. Finally I got to the point where I could meditate for 11 minutes with my eyes closed the entire time...I was elated...overjoyed, excited, proud of myself and stubborn. HUH? Yes, stubborn! I had made up my mind that no matter what happened I would not open my eyes until my 11 minutes were up. So much to my surprise my cat sneaked in to my meditation space, slapped me in the face and punctured an artery under my eye. There was no pain mind you just a sensation...and I refused to open my eyes. Dumb! When the timer went off I opened my eyes to blood spurting out ...I'm fine...the cat - well, she lives outdoors now and I do not meditate in her company! So there's common sense too...you should mediate in a safe place preferably one with no "wild animals".

If there was a magic wand that could be waved to give one self discipline...I'd certainly share it with you...but there isn't. But I can give you a simple exercise to begin to improve your journey into mediation.

Here is a simple technique for you to try: Dress comfortably, find a safe place and sit comfortably in your favorite meditation position (lotus or chair whichever you prefer is fine). Close your eyes and open your mind. Relax your body and relax your mind. Center yourself with your normal centering breath or use the balloon technique from Septembers blog. After you are centered - mentally say to yourself, relax...relax...relax. Meditate until you feel an urge to stop. Name the urge and observe how you feel in respect to the impulse. (Some examples are "I need to get a glass of water, my leg is itching, I need to relieve myself...) Notice how your mind is behaving in response to your acknowledging the urge but not allowing it to control you...the urge will pass in 60 seconds. Meditate until you've had 3 urges arise and you've named them and observed them.

Congratulations! You've just taken the first step towards gaining self discipline, a step towards understanding the nature of your own mind and a step towards wholeness in body, mind and spirit!

Namaste'