Comments on awake is good: Day 13: Meditation Challenge: You Hoo! Are You Out...

Hi Jennifer, Meditation is actually a form of mind...

2010-08-03T12:18:21.857-04:00

Hi Jennifer,
Meditation is actually a form of mindfulness, the practice of paying deeper attention, sitting still, and being full present to what is here. Both practices build upon and reinforce the other. Each strengthens each. I a glad to hear you are being persistent and staying true, even when it is difficult. En-joy the journey! Blessings to you.

Hi Jan, I'm still holding in there, even if I...

2010-08-03T10:27:21.988-04:00

Hi Jan,

I'm still holding in there, even if I've been quiet, which is pretty amazing, since my record for finishing things I start is pretty poor.

I too became more mindful before I decided I wanted to sit in meditation. I am finding that the meditation does reinforce and help the mindfulness, which is maybe why I'm stilling getting up and taking a few minutes to sit.

I have been a meditator (TM) since the late 1970&#...

2010-01-17T09:51:54.667-05:00

I have been a meditator (TM) since the late 1970's. I stopped for quite awhile, and started up again the day after the 1994 Northrdige earthquake (quite an awakenng), and haven't missed a day!

I wake up at 5:30 am every morning (an hour before my daughter gets up), in order to practice - I'm addicted!

Stoneweaver, I am glad you received my post with o...

2010-01-17T09:26:56.560-05:00

Stoneweaver,
I am glad you received my post with openheartedness. :-) I appreciate your response and the learning about not failing. No, we cannot fail. Just breathing in consciously, even is a sacred act where there is definitely no sense of failure. Be well!

Sharon,
Your awarenesses and the changes you've experienced truly touch my heart. I even read your response aloud to my husband as we sat together in the quiet. I am amazed at the healing you are experiencing and all that has shifted in your life. I do believe the metta practice (may you be happy being a part of that) can be truly life altering for someone who gives themselves over to it. It sounds like you have. I bow.....

This meditation challenge is showing me how to &qu...

2010-01-16T22:56:36.552-05:00

This meditation challenge is showing me how to "change my mind" which is changing my life. The "may you be happy" blessing has become an important part of my morning and nighttime meditation. I automatically relax into it as I calm my mind and focus on my breath ~ I love that. I have not had any earth-shattering revelations, and my thoughts try to break in at every opportunity, as I gently remind them that they need to be quiet for a bit. I am sleeping through the night, something I do not take for granted after years of waking in the middle of the night fearful and anxious. I no longer dread the morning, when anxiety would greet me as I awoke. Instead I awake to say a blessing for those I love, atuned to my breath and mindful of my thoughts. I am still here and grateful every day.

Thanks Jan. You are right - it's all a learnin...

2010-01-16T16:50:11.070-05:00

Thanks Jan. You are right - it's all a learning curve. I think I do need to set limits and organise myself. I too am sensitive - which is why I need to take time to meditate. I'm working on it. And something else has struck me - it's ok to fail at something (now that is a thing I rarely allow myself!) Lots of love to you xxxx

Stoneweaver, I am SO glad you shared this. Falling...

2010-01-16T08:39:00.483-05:00

Stoneweaver,
I am SO glad you shared this. Falling off the wagon is no big deal. I do it all the time. :-) Part of this challenge is to keep us attuned to what is possible and all the choices available to us to make it possible. We each must find our way, in our own timing, with our own rhythm. It is also about gentleness to self. Accepting ourselves as we are, wherever we find ourselves—meditating or not.

I understand about the information overload and I am sorry if you experienced that here. It is very good that you noticed this and how you responded to it. Each of must learn how to attune ourself to this. For me, for example, I cannot blog here (with the intensity that I am) and visit other people's blogs. I have to set my own self-care/input limits, and I have. I also chose not to do Facebook and Twitter because it is info overload for me. Too much stimulation. Move too fast. So please know that what you are experiencing is very normal, not "strange." I am an HSP, a "highly sensitive person" - it is an actual "wiring" issue and I must be very mindful (yes!) of all that comes at me and I how I respond to it, set healthy boundaries, and more. Perhaps you are noticing this about yourself too.

So here is my final thought. You love being out in nature. You love sitting on your deck and just looking, listening? Can't that be enough? Combine it with some sacred breath practice, observe your thoughts coming and going, and voila! you are meditating. Truly, as Paul said, it can be just that simple.

Actually, you may like the meditation I am posting today. It's a nature meditation and my very favorite form of connecting with the stillness in me, with God, with everything....

May today bring you ease. Believe, breathe and be well.

p.s. You know what else dawns on me? How would you have had this wonderful noticing about yourself (getting enthused/falling off) if you hadn't tried the meditation challenge? See, it already illuminated a pattern for you. Now that is a wow in my book. And now you can decide what to do about that pattern. :-) xo to you.

Joy, I love hearing the clarity in your voice. :-)...

2010-01-16T08:28:08.428-05:00

Joy,
I love hearing the clarity in your voice. :-) You are knowing what works for you and what doesn't; what you need to do as a priority and what you can let go. Attending to our children I hope will ALWAYS be top on our "list." I hope things are settling down in your corner of the world and all is well...

Marie, It's good to hear your newfound awarene...

2010-01-16T08:26:18.951-05:00

Marie,
It's good to hear your newfound awarenesses about "train thoughts" and how various messages and stressors dominate. We are all definitely a work in progress. That is why it is so important to be patient and gentle with ourselves. No matter what arises we continue to go back to the breath. It may take years, a lifetime, for us to make peace with our busy mind. Many of us have just begun. :-) Hang in there.

Karen,
Thanks for sharing a bit of your history. I am happy for you that you found a practice that "stuck" and that it brings you ease. Sometimes we do have to do a lot of starting and stopping before we find a practice that suits us. I appreciate your kind words about the challenge. :-) I am glad it helps.

I've fallen off the wagon :-( Have not practi...

2010-01-16T02:30:19.968-05:00

I've fallen off the wagon :-( Have not practised since last Monday. I will be honest - at first I was a bit overwhelmed with all the info ien your posts and the time spent rading all the replies - cos I wanted to really participate and listen to others and learn. I found I didn't have the time. So then I left it and decided to carry on with my meditating and drop in on you occasionally - but then I sort of lost incentive and didn't do it. So there you have it. What is this showing me? Something I know so well - I get so enthused about just about everything and try to cram it all in - go overboard. But I am hopeless at time management. And so here I am burnt out! And not doing the one thing that would make me feel oh so much better. Strange aren't I?

Jan, The distinction is very clear to me. I am min...

2010-01-15T22:27:46.632-05:00

Jan,
The distinction is very clear to me. I am mindful as I go about life, but sitting in meditation is a quiet calm, a focus, a refreshment that is quite different.
I have not been with you the past few days. My son had a near stabbing in his elementary class that diverted much of my energy. The good thing is he turned to me and said Mom I know you can put good into this. His confidence touched my heart; the overwhelming sadness of the situation was quite dense so I stood for what I know to be true, called on my friends and bloggers to shine light, and we are moving forward. In the midst of that, I lost my own focus, and just today went back to morning pages, meditation, and straightening the boat. In hindsight these things relax me and help me to be more, but I let them go to be most present for my children.

Jan-I have tried to establish and maintain a medit...

2010-01-15T21:30:58.564-05:00

Jan-I have tried to establish and maintain a meditation practice at least a dozen times over the past 25 years.

I tried out various methods. nothing "stuck" for too long.
I started my sitting practice about 1 year ago- and it "stuck"!

Now reflecting on it, I believe my study & practice of mindfulness has empowered my current sitting practice. And I have seen how much my sitting practice brings to me.

Thank you for this challenge, it has been so rewarding. The challenge has reinforced my practice, inspired me,exposed me to new methods & resources and reminded me to 'be'.

Then-just when I was wondering how I could sink more deeply into the silences between breaths & why in some sessions I seem to go deeper than others, I read "...those sitting meditations that "work" and those that don't seem to..."

Yes YES ! Thank you Paul !

Laura, What a lovely picture, you playing in the a...

2010-01-15T21:26:47.575-05:00

Laura,
What a lovely picture, you playing in the attic lost in mindful rapture. :-) I think if many of us took the time to reflect on our childhoods, we might find similar moments. And I agree with you that creativity is its own form of meditation (stay tuned for a post on that soon by a guest!). Creativity allows us to be fully present, fully engaged, timeless, pure.

And I enjoyed reading about your "story" too. I can see how all of that shaped you into the soulful woman you are today. :-) Believe, breathe and be well.

Beth,
Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the kind comments and will hope that you find joy in the meditative moments that you create. Blessings!

Stacy, I enjoyed reading about your journey too an...

2010-01-15T21:22:24.332-05:00

Stacy,
I enjoyed reading about your journey too and can just imagine all the flavorful ways you incorporated mindfulness into mommyhood. Some of my most memorable mindful opportunities were late night feedings, early morning risings, even bathing.

I believe our children naturally invite us into greater mindfulness just to savor these fleeing times when they are young. It goes so fast. Mine are now 19, 25, 27 and I cannot believe it. Now my grandchildren invite me into mindfulness. Let's play, Grandma!:-) May your journey continue to be blessed!

Paul,
I very much agree. I think they all somehow, magically, work together to bring us into our most humanly divine selves. And, yes, maybe most of all the sessions that feel worthless to us. (LOL). They offer us such ripe opportunities to let go and be with what is. Your one year noticings are very interesting too. Did you ever consider taking Reiki with those "hot hands" of yours? Blessings!

Vanessa, Welcome! Glad you are here and will journ...

2010-01-15T21:14:31.006-05:00

Vanessa,
Welcome! Glad you are here and will journey with us into greater mindfulness, down the road of meditation. Let us know if you need any assistance, OK? Blessings!

One Woman,
I appreciate you sharing a bit about your history on this path. And how wonderful that Thich Nhat Hanh continues to inspire you. May many mindful moments be yours! Especially in that lovely rocking chair. :-)

Darla,
Thanks for the update. I really appreciate it and am thrilled that you have only missed one day. Now that is an accomplishment. I also appreciate your open mindedness and willingness to "up" your practice. :-)

Anonymous, Thank you for sharing this powerful med...

2010-01-15T21:10:46.534-05:00

Anonymous,
Thank you for sharing this powerful meditative moment. I especially appreciate how you are taking what you are learning here and applying it to your own faith tradition. THAT touches my heart...

I am happy to know that the Challenge is shifting things within you. The support of everyone has been phenomenal!

Lisa,
Wise words reminding us that we each find our own way, and that if we are faithful and open (and listen!) we arrive at practices that suit us well. Plus, invite us to grow some more. I loved hearing about your journey and how you came to mindfulness. And the Ramakrishna quote is priceless. May our fences be pliable...and movable! Glad to hear the Challenge is going well for you.

To be honest, I'm not sure which is coming fir...

2010-01-15T16:58:34.154-05:00

To be honest, I'm not sure which is coming first. LOL. Making the time to sit sure is not easy for me, but when I do, I can feel the blessings it brings on me. At day 13, I still get easily stressed and anxious. However, I am now mindful of it and begin to try to relieve it. Where as up until now, I would just let it eat at me until the point of exhaustion. It is also releaving to read the other posts and know I am not the only one who has this problem.
Yesterday I downloaded Paul's e book and was a wonderful read. I ended up meditating on the phase he uses..."worse than usless trains of thought". Oh how this applies to me as I tend to dwell on negitive things I have no control over. Thank you Paul for such words of wisdom.
As I was meditating, I actually started to drift off, which never happens to me. Sleep does not come easy to me these days. Therefore my body was ready for some much needed sleep!!

Hi Jan, I just wanted to thank you for this work y...

2010-01-15T16:53:41.713-05:00

Hi Jan, I just wanted to thank you for this work you have put into the meditation challenge. I'm not doing the challenge at this moment because I vowed no more projects for a little bit. But, I did do a few meditations that you mentioned. And the resources are fantastic, so I have ideas for many future meditations. I am not good at doing the same meditation day after day.

Hi Jan I love that you found your own way, and con...

2010-01-15T16:51:52.361-05:00

Hi Jan
I love that you found your own way, and continue to do so. I can't imagine that any way is right or wrong...it just is. The important thing is that you discovered a way into your Divine center and are able to take that peace out into the world where ever you are.

When I was a teenager I used to go up to the attic on rainy days and sit and close my eyes and listen to the rain on the roof. I was meditating...but I didn't KNOW I was meditating...I didn't know anyone who meditated so I didn't really have that word to name what I was doing. It felt good. Peaceful. Sheltered. Safe.

Mindfulness is also part of being an artist, I think. As an artist (whether your art is visual, music, writing...whatever) you are naturally mindful of all that is happening around you. Now this is not necessarily a formal or even conscious thing...it is just how you live. This is how I have lived most of my life.

My formal practice began in college through yoga...mindful movement, mindfulness of breath. Eventually I had a yoga teacher who incorporated 20 minutes of sitting into every yoga practice. So then I started to learn about different meditation techniques.

I'd say that illness has been an opportunity to practice mindfulness and meditation in many ways too.

What I am enjoying so thoroughly about what you have created here Jan is listening to other people's experiences...finding myself in their words and feeling completely validated in my own varied experiences, from days gone by and daily with this sacred community. Every day we are new, I am new. Every day the practice is a bit different and there is so much more to learn...to carry into the world away from my seated practice. Thank you Jan and everyone participating for creating this community together...a "place" where I know I can check in each day (or occasionally) and know that I will be heard and supported.

gentle steps,
Laura

So there’s mindfulness or low-level meditation tha...

2010-01-15T16:05:43.531-05:00

So there’s mindfulness or low-level meditation that can be done during the day.

And then there's sitting meditation.

Then there are those sitting meditations that "work" and those that don't seem to.

Then there are the effects of these practices over time on who you are – you find that you grow as a person.

I have the feeling all these factors interrelate and often in ways we’re not even aware of – including the sitting meditations that "don't work.”

At about the one year mark of sitting meditation, I'd had little to nothing by way of profound experiences and yet:

1. There was a predictable physical change. I was getting up before anyone else to meditate and didn't want to turn the heat up. After meditating for several minutes my hands would change from cold to warm. It happened every time.

2. I started to notice myself becoming a calmer person, especially at work - and at this time I wasn't doing any sort of mindfulness practice, don't think I even knew about this back then.

I definitely practiced mindfulness first... I lear...

2010-01-15T15:59:12.995-05:00

I definitely practiced mindfulness first... I learned to meditate when my firstborn child was five months old (I know have two boys, ages 6 and 3). I had felt called to meditation/Buddhism before but had only read books and not practiced.

When I became a mom, I knew I had to find the connections between peaceful living, parenting, and community. So I learned to meditate, and then I didn't meditate! :) It took a long time to develop my sitting practice (years - and I am still developing it). Reading books, especially by Thich Naht Hanh, doing mindfulness practices, and breathing calmly at night while I nursed my baby were my practice for a long time.

I have now come to think of moments of mindfulness as mini-meditations. But I am very grateful for and enjoy a dedicated time to sit, because I can see how it really helps strengthen my ability to practice mindfulness in the midst of things.

Thank you, again, Jan, for this conversation, the resources, and the connections!

My check in: The challenge is a good reminder to ...

2010-01-15T15:16:35.790-05:00

My check in: The challenge is a good reminder to meditate Every Day (I missed one so far). My meditation takes the form of sitting (or laying down) and concentrating on the breath. I have some of the links marked and some of the book on request at the library. I'd like to enhance my standard routine - put something fresh into it.

Darla

Jan, my comment is short because what you shared a...

2010-01-15T15:01:36.056-05:00

Jan, my comment is short because what you shared about yourself - could have been me. My son introduced me to Thich Nhat Hanh's
Peace Is Every Step and Miracle of Mindfulness - a number of years ago. All my life being a multi task person - I surely needed mindfulness. Like you I tried to be the perfect wife, daughter, mother, friend, sister, career woman, gardner, teacher and on and on. I am now reading Happiness - by him. I usually have one of these books with me on my weekly errands.
You are perfect for all of your followers. Blessings sent your way.

I'm in! I'm late but that's kind of pa...

2010-01-15T13:57:49.921-05:00

I'm in! I'm late but that's kind of par for the course. Maybe why I need to do this? If I don't carve out time for myself, nothing will happen. So, now I have a beautiful way to take of me, focus, sit, and gain perspective in an amazing way. THANK YOU FOR THIS!

Jan, this was a beautiful expose on mindfulness an...

2010-01-15T13:26:33.213-05:00

Jan, this was a beautiful expose on mindfulness and meditation...as others have said, I do think it is different for every person...I definitely came at it the other way from you - sitting meditation first, and then had to learn (am still learning of course!) how to bring more mindfulness into my daily life...I think it is because my own karma (for lack of a better explanation!) drew me to more 'mystic' (for lack of another better word!) forms of meditation - chakra and kundalini work and the like. So my sitting meditations was much more of a 'romancing of the inner self' (as another commenter said!), and a lot more about energy work. Which doesn't necessarily translate into daily mindfulness on its own, so I had to learn that...
I think there are so many different forms of meditation and they are each different doorways...and some walk through the 'doorway' of mindfulness without every sitting formally...it is very individual and I think we just get pulled to what we need...
Anyway, I think it's Ramakrishna who said sitting meditation is like putting a fence around a baby tree - providing just enough protection that it can grow, but then of course the goal is for it to eventually be strong enough in itself to be without the fence...that's how I think of sitting meditation in relation to mindfulness in daily life - it's like a little training ground with fewer distractions...
Wow, I really got off on a tangent, some of this might end up in my own post next!
As for my progress in the challenge, since I do sit daily already I have been trying to focus on quality, and one experimenting with other techniques....so far, so good...