Meditation

I've been reading about meditation. (I've mentioned that, haven't I?)

You use your breath as an anchor - a way to keep you present. Focus on the breath without forcing it. Stay present. Realize when you've wondered off and started planning dinner, take note and come back.

What I have trouble with is focusing on the breath without forcing it. I was heartened to learn that straying from the concentration on the breath is extremely normal, especially at the beginning. And it is a sign of progression. Before, you wouldn't even notice that your mind had strayed.

I approached my yoga teacher and asked her about focusing on the breath. She told me that just asking the question is a good sign. I'll take her word for it. ;) She had no advice, except to keep going. I will try. Are you with me?

I'd love to hear from somebody who is already practising meditation - just your experiences with the practise. Once I gather up my courage to start, I'll share my experience here. I promise.

Namaste

More fighting than peacing...

It's been awhile.

I've been busy but at the same time, I haven't been busy at all. I'm in the final stages of the application process. I have collected my reference letters and just have to finish the essay. The essay is proving difficult as I haven't written one of those in 10 years.

But that's it really. I've been doing a lot of reading. I've been reading about mindfulness and meditation. I've learned a lot. But I haven't been able to make the leap from reading to practice. I'm finding that I always have another excuse. Right now, the excuses are 1) I'm tired (which is a laughable excuse not to MEDITATE!) 2) I haven't finished the book yet. Also laughable since the book came with a guided meditation CD. I have no excuses.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll start tonight?

Joyful reunion, introspection & randomness

First and most happily, on Sunday I'm sure that most people heard the news that a missing boy was happily reunited with his family. This was the best news I could have heard. I'd gone to sleep sending out positive energy to the family since I'd heard of the story. 


It was also a day to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon along with those who were able to thwart their hijackers and perished saving an unknown target. (Perhaps the target is now known.) I find this to be an odd day. I find that it is expected that one will flaunt their grief, despite not being personally connected to the events. For me, yesterday represented the anniversary of another sad event - the six month anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan. The very event that has driven me to where I am today - making preparations to go back.


So yesterday was a very happy, yet very somber day. Oddly enough, walking through my neighbourhood big box store, this quote jumped out at me, frantically waving to get my attention:


"Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm." 

It is not known who came up with that little tidbit of genius. Something very important to keep in mind when the biggest problem one is facing is that they may have to stop buying so many lattes.