It’s wonderful and ironic how the idea of meditating has gained so much popularity. Naturally, after modern medicine “verifies” its benefits, many of the skeptics come on board (no real digs at modern medicine– I’m an exercise physiologist). However, according to the traditional teaching of the Yoga Sutras, meditation is not the first step on the path to Union, Enlightenment, Self-Realization, or Transcendence (whatever you may call the experience– not concept). In fact, meditation (dhyana) is the 7th of the 8 rungs. It is recommended to get one’s house in order prior to meditating. That presents a stark contrast to the modern/Western idea that meditation is for stress reduction or happiness. Meditation is work– but that doesn’t mean it is an unattainable feat. One doesn’t simply sit and meditate. When one has done the preparatory work, meditation more naturally unfolds. I mentioned in previous posts introspection and sitting in silence. It is my personal experience that when my life is in more chaos, meditation is not easily attainable. Listen to the inner call to deal with what it happening in your “outer” life that may be distracting you from the “inner”. In Setting it All Down, I discussed my personal drama with feeling attacked. That is something to address and not avoid– the spiritual path is not about avoidance. The yamas and niyamas can offer insight into areas of our life to balance which will incline us to naturally want to go inside. If you are still working with introspection– let this direct cleaning house. If you already meditating perhaps this will create a space to deepen your practice.
Tag Archives: Beginner’s meditation
Setting it all Down
Recently, I was Skyping with my beloved teacher and asking him to disambiguate some confusing Yoga concepts. As usual I was over-thinking and entering into a very cerebral place about one of the many conceptual experiences the ancient Yogis describe. Swamiji asked me, describe 4 things that I am. I responded, “I am a woman, I am Black, I am a mother, and I have curly hair” (I’ll never forget those attributes I selected!). He said, “you are none of those things, those are simply roles you are playing.” We went onto to corroborate the nature of our true Self (notice the capitalization– it will be discussed in future postings). Furthermore, he expounded, “when you meditate you set those things [identities] down. Then, later on when you pick them up, they are a little lighter.” That’s it in a nutshell– meditation is practicing our true identity–which is something far greater than the illusion of words. Today was a day when I was particularly caught up in the mundane– I felt as if the outside world was against me. But, it can’t be… because like my roles the macrocosm has roles–and everyone in it is playing a part. They can’t be against me because we are the same. Meditation helps to establish awareness of that connectedness. Now, regardless of how my perceived conundrum unfolds, I will return to the Center and know that I am unchanged–for the better.
Small steps
I mentioned in “Getting Started”, it is difficult to simply sit and meditate. This does not me that the task should be seen as daunting– it is your right and privilege. However, just as if you wanted to learn to speak a new language or learn calligraphy, you start with small steps. In order to meditate successfully, you must develop a different understanding of your how your mind works– you don’t try to stop thinking or suppress the thoughts– you learn to understand them and to look at them as separate from you (that’s getting a little esoteric). In a sense, you have thoughts; but, you are not your thoughts. The problem is, at the beginning (and maybe for a long time afterwards), you identify with them– I think therefore I am. In “Getting Started” (8/2/2014) I mentioned introspection, spend some time just allowing the mind to unfold. But, do this with a playful attitude– be amused and amazed at your inner workings– 1,2,3 minutes in a quiet room is amazing. If you really want to go further, after introspection, just begin to work with the breath. Don’t over complicate it, deep breathing, awareness at the diaphragm (below the breastbone, above the navel) 1,2,3 minutes. Just focus on the breath and let the thoughts continue to come… There you go, you’re on your way.
Just getting started… Hoping it’s useful.
As not a technically savvy person, learning to create this blog will be a meditation in and of itself. For those of you who know me already, I am so excited to have an unfettered home base. For those of you who are new friends, I hope you will find this blog useful. In fact that is a nice place to start… If you are interested in meditation, it is helpful to practice introspection. That way when the you sit, you are not subject to the Hollywood trailer-like unfolding of your subconscious. Allow you mind a few minutes to just unwind. Don’t judge what comes up– it’s all good, they’re are just thoughts and don’t define you. You can playfully decide which ones are useful to cultivate and which to consider to be not useful. This can also be done during the day– I periodically pause at work or making dinner to laugh at the thought train and decide which thoughts are worth staying with and which are just my silly mind.
Love and Light
From the Gross to the Subtle 