tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post5834294134769115000..comments2010-02-05T10:02:59.131-05:00Janice Lynne Lundyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-14118918053712932572010-02-05T10:02:59.131-05:002010-02-05T10:02:59.131-05:00Laura,<br />How blessed you were to take a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh! I&#39;d love to do that myself. Yes, breathe. Why is that we sometimes forget!?<br />I don&#39;t know if I am aware of the Pearl Jam song or not, perhaps if I heard it. (I am of a musical generation a bit different than that. LOL) Blessings!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-30816690879764714882010-02-04T23:36:58.478-05:002010-02-04T23:36:58.478-05:00Dear Jan,<br />I love that quote from Thich Naht Hahn. He is truly wonderful. I went to a week-long retreat with him and his group in San Diego years ago. Really, really neat.<br /><br />I always forget to breathe unless I&#39;m exercizing. Or singing. Or chanting. Must be why I feel so good doing those things. <br /><br />Have you heard the song &quot;Just Breathe&quot; by Pearl Jam?<br />Pretty deep.<br /><br />Lots of love to you!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16966104460376436386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-20815210817703695582010-02-04T21:13:04.433-05:002010-02-04T21:13:04.433-05:00Joy,<br />Breathing on, one step, one breath after another. Each one unique and sustaining in its own right. You put it so well. I hope that you are breathing easier a bit each day. xo<br /><br />Wilma,<br />You are so right on target here. That daily mindfulness, task by task, does keep us clear, focused and injury free! May we enjoy this gift of our breath...Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-19144679981277950632010-02-04T21:11:12.516-05:002010-02-04T21:11:12.516-05:00Sema,<br />You are just a bundle of energy and so inspiring to watch as you create these Meditation lenses. I just love how you have put them all together in an easy to use format. Thank you again! You are a treasure. :-) And so glad you were part of the Challenge. Blessings...<br /><br />Darla,<br />So happy you joined us, checked in often, and let us know how you were doing. It WAS fun to have everyone chime in and share. Blessings to you as you breathe on for well-being and peace of mind. :-)Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-50280879529074639542010-02-04T18:21:57.121-05:002010-02-04T18:21:57.121-05:00Hi Jan<br />I love your focus on breathing as that indeed gives me peace. <br />I now focus on it when I want to do household chores that I normally do in a hurry and that is where accidents happen in the past. <br />I cut myself, trip over. Now I know I hold my breath when I am agitated, so focusing on my breathing has helped me to be present and peaceful.<br />So cool!<br />Love wilmaWilma Hamhttp://www.wilmasblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-84293300146984397322010-02-04T17:38:07.820-05:002010-02-04T17:38:07.820-05:00Jan,<br />I think breath is like a &quot;step&quot;. I always feel I can accomplish anything one step at a time; perhaps breathing is the same. I can enjoy all that life has to offer, one mindful breath after another. Allows life to unfold..<br />Thank you for all that you share:)jchristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12104404523362357866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-88915831240877646372010-02-04T13:10:47.529-05:002010-02-04T13:10:47.529-05:00Thank you for leading us through the Meditation Challenge Jan, and to each of the guest who gave their time and lent their inspiration.<br /><br />Breathing meditation works best for me but it is great to explore other ideas. Best of all was just having a check in place as a daily reminder.<br /><br />Darlasee you there!http://www.blogger.com/profile/02729017606957829830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-68472961958433666122010-02-04T12:25:26.094-05:002010-02-04T12:25:26.094-05:00Hi Jan,<br />A beautiful post and reminder to Breathe!<br />I have completed the lens on the 4th week of the challenge<br /><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/benefits-of-meditating" rel="nofollow">Know The Benefits Of Meditating<br /></a> <br />Once again thank you for your guidance,<br />Blessings for abundance,<br />semasemahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04117320517001450225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-27102128227133462922010-02-04T10:31:08.132-05:002010-02-04T10:31:08.132-05:00Annie,<br />This breath practice is such a source of life and vitality. May yours be blessed!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-63156291976267974152010-02-03T23:06:50.484-05:002010-02-03T23:06:50.484-05:00I love this post. Breathe, yes, without breath we die. So important.<br />Thank you Jan for having this meditation challenge! <br />Blessings.<br />xoxoAnniehttp://blissful-bohemian.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-51297885596123691572010-02-03T20:29:03.665-05:002010-02-03T20:29:03.665-05:00Debbie,<br />Well I am glad you found us too! And so heartened to hear that what you&#39;ve read (and experienced) here has supported you on your journey. May we all be more calm, clear and wise. :-) <br /><br />Sharon,<br />Don&#39;t you just love how awareness of the breath can shift everything? I will remember to do what you do too—notice when I am holding my breath. May we breathe on in peace together. Celebrating your growth and your faithfulness to the Challenge. Wow!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-25191509717199722352010-02-03T20:26:29.209-05:002010-02-03T20:26:29.209-05:00Susanne,<br />What terrific news this is! I love how you applied the Challenge to yoga. In other words, mindfulness meditation applied to stretching practice. It works. I&#39;m celebrating the changes you are noticing in your body/mind, but also your heart I imagine. A softening toward yourself? You have MY heart very happy today sharing your mindful journey. Carry on with ease and be well!<br /><br />Tess,<br />You are such a bundle of energetic fitness. From now on, I will attribute all that to your breathing practice. LOL. Thanks for being here. :-)Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-35479482864630282572010-02-03T18:40:40.668-05:002010-02-03T18:40:40.668-05:00A new way of looking at things has taken hold, thanks to remembering to breathe. When I feel frazzled I stop and think, &quot;Am I holding my breath?&quot; Yep, always. Reset. Breathe. Better.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01448211798237937246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-44467388730778790302010-02-03T18:30:58.157-05:002010-02-03T18:30:58.157-05:00Jan,<br /><br />I am so happy to have found your blog some time ago. I&#39;m so encouraged and supported by the gentle, quiet wisdom you share. I am easier on myself knowing that even practioners that have been meditating for years may start afresh each day and struggle at times. It is indeed a journey and I am glad to have found your lovely blog to lend a hand when I need a word of shared experience. Calm, clarity, wisdom. Just breathe each moment. Thank you...Debbie Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07451756504822817774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-50140271850932438142010-02-03T18:29:14.344-05:002010-02-03T18:29:14.344-05:00Kate,<br />I am glad that the breath sustains you, too, and that the Challenge was most helpful. It was great to have you here breathing with us!<br /><br />Paul,<br />You are most welcome and I so grateful that you were able to be one of our &quot;expert&quot; contributors. Your presence was very helpful!<br /><br />Rochelle,<br />Well, it certainly sounds like you received what you needed. I love when that happens, don&#39;t you. It has been wonderful to have you here and get to know you better. Hugs~Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-44399598589329215342010-02-03T18:26:32.475-05:002010-02-03T18:26:32.475-05:00Laura,<br />I, too, feel many important connections have been made through the challenge. For some of us it has been a renewed connection to our innermost selves. For others, it has been meeting new friends and discovering how wonderful it is to grow together. I treasure each and every person who &quot;sat&quot; with me...Thank you, especially, Laura for your wise and wonderful —and consistent! presence. It meant so much to have you here. xo<br /><br />Carolynn,<br />May portable peace be yours, my friend. Breathe on with ease and joy...<br /><br />Julie,<br />I appreciate the picture words you used here for the breath—&quot;blowing off steam&quot; and &quot;pressure building.&quot; Powerful! And wise...thank you.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-50656876247699462922010-02-03T11:52:04.974-05:002010-02-03T11:52:04.974-05:00Jan,<br />I appreciate what you did here and how encouraging you&#39;ve been. I&#39;ve now incorporated yoga in my routine so now my breathing is improving even more.Tess The Bold Lifehttp://theboldlife.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-14501122803919491492010-02-03T03:27:23.434-05:002010-02-03T03:27:23.434-05:00Jan, thanks so much for this. This challenge has been a wonderful success for me, and I say this even though I didn&#39;t meditate once -- not once -- in the 28 days. So why a success? Because every morning this year, what I HAVE done is 30 minutes of stretching exercises. Every morning. And usually, my mind -- which is like a gerbil on crystal meth when given half a minute to itself -- would be racing off in a million directions, to my mile-long to do list to all the things I haven&#39;t done &amp; on &amp; on. I&#39;d be trying to hurry each pose, would be over-stretching or under-stretching, not paying attention, impatient to be done this and on to other things.<br /><br />Not so this time. This time, I&#39;d remember your challenge &amp; gently bring my attention back to my body, my breathing. Mindfulness. Not the sitting meditation I&#39;d intended when you (&amp; I) started out 28 days ago, but not only has my mindfulness, my slowing-down, made a difference in my body (I&#39;ll not be the limber thing I was 50 years ago, but neither am I half as stiff as I was a month ago!), but my mind is quieter too. I just feel -- better. And I thank you so much for the gift you&#39;ve given me! Blessings, Jan.Susannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-3064141783201061662010-02-03T01:31:05.804-05:002010-02-03T01:31:05.804-05:00Jan,<br /><br />I&#39;m so grateful for finding your blog at just the right time in my life - after being on an emotional roller coaster for over a year January was the first month in a long time that I really like I could find peace again and I know that it is just going to get better. Thank you. <br /><br />xoxo<br />RochelleRochellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16602410204355714901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-58304715293465828562010-02-02T23:57:40.277-05:002010-02-02T23:57:40.277-05:00Jan, thanks for the thoughtful and interesting series.Paul Maurice Martinhttp://www.originalfaith.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-8068395393452525612010-02-02T20:49:58.016-05:002010-02-02T20:49:58.016-05:00I completely agree with you Jan...it all begins and comes back to &quot;the breath&quot;. Thanks you so much for the meditation challenge and all the information you provided. It helped me keep the energy going when I began to feel my enthusiasm flag.<br /><br />I look forward to hearing about your new creative adventure!kate ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06090535919537300999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-39205411475782065562010-02-02T17:55:34.294-05:002010-02-02T17:55:34.294-05:00As long as you keep faithful to the BREATH, inhale deeply, exhale deeply, then you will feel no pressure. Pressure builds when the AIR is locked up inside. It&#39;s very simple (even scientifically) that to remain calm we have to BLOW off steam. :-)<br />Keep the faith, Jan, we are all here with you. You have taught us well. <br />May we BREATHE collectively with you.<br />Blessings on us all!<br />JuieJulie Ghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17261004072084276899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-7101365282277674472010-02-02T17:18:45.004-05:002010-02-02T17:18:45.004-05:00Portable Peace. I love it. Such a beautiful close to this series on meditation. Whatever you&#39;re hatching next, I&#39;m sure will be life enriching, as well.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />CarolynnCarolynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12566204713508877389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-48072934852991229752010-02-02T16:46:01.255-05:002010-02-02T16:46:01.255-05:00It&#39;s so true Jan...the breath...in...out...this is what sustains us mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I pray all is well for you dear one...amid life&#39;s surprises. I do feel I have connected and made some supportive friends on this journey because of the sacred community you have created here.<br /><br />Namaste,<br />LauraLaura Hegfieldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15349928247626849914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7040885783161590018.post-93072692459329952010-02-02T13:38:24.294-05:002010-02-02T13:38:24.294-05:00Jodi,<br />Simplicity is a word I have come to love. The simplest of things bring such joy. I know you know this too. So may we all breathe on with ease, savoring this precious life we are given. :-)<br /><br />Michele,<br />We do, don&#39;t we? Forget how to breathe... I often find myself holding my breath during the day, esp. when I am in a hurry. 3 deep inhales and exhales works wonders. Better yet, do so by stopping and closing the eyes. (wink). Be well!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12065023183951459029noreply@blogger.com