learn to meditate

So, I put this goal on when I first started meditation almost 2.5 years ago and I think it may be time to tidy my goals including this one. I have learned about meditation, mindfulness and the concurrent tenets of acceptance, mind-body connection, coping, and self-compassion. I took a course, read relevant literature and practiced. However, I then hijacked this goal and made it about practice when actually I am more likely to enhance my practice by incorporating it into my monthly bootcamp goals. Also, I know that my practice will wax and wane so regular practice is ideal but won’t always be. However, this goal has done alot for me. I think it has brought alot of appreciation and acceptance to my life, giving me greater coping and mind-body connection.

Not doing so well on this…not practicing so much but I do miss it now. Also, I realize my def. of fitness has changed though, it now includes meditation…..

Last few weeks have had 2 meditations each….far from a daily practice but much more than usual for me :)

I did one loving kindness meditation and 2 post yoga meditations this week. It was tough to get back into it but it felt good and I got the hubby to join in, which brought a nice sense of community to it.
What I’ve noticed is that when I have time to meditate is when I am more relaxed and is prob. not when I need it most. I think that this may be the time to make it a true practice though so that it will hold true for those tougher times.
Also, been invited to silent meditation retreat…not sure if I have time to attend but maybe…its time to make the time

Im not sure whether this goal is actually done or not. I ve come to the realization that i have learned how to meditate and what is important about it i.e. non competition, being present but the issue is practice. I’ve noticed that as my practice has decreased my stress has increased. I think its time to return to being present in a more routine way. I think I need to consider this mental exercise on par with my physical exercise. I dont think im done with this goal yet.

So Im no longer an assistant co-leader on the meditation course. Im worried my practice will deteriorate but I have to keep persisting, the effects have been good and I know without practice they will not last. I also walked a labyrinth in a related goal and I realized that their is a certain meditative quality to the prayer connected to that experience, which I also enjoyed. I think my first bit to help my practice stay strong is to create specific meditation times that get respected like workout times though I will also count yoga as meditation. I think I need to set a certain amount of times per week aside as meditative times. Hopefully I can keep it up :) Summer is so chaotic!

So as of now I have led the body scan, mindful movement, and a 25 min meditation. This week I lead the emotions/body meditation. Its getting easier to keep my voice steady and pace my words to my breath though this week I noticed the vulnerability that comes with meditation since I was leading the group as opposed to meditating with them. It was just one of those times when there was alot of contact with emotions and unification of the body with these emotions.

Well leading a body scan meditation on Thurs….though feel like a bit of a fraud doing so since its my most disliked meditation and I have yet to complete it without falling asleep….will update on how it goes….

This week that passed i meditated 3 times on my own (no group). This is huge progress on my part, since I live in my head, meditation and re-connecting with my body is so difficult to initiate. Also did 5 X a week of yoga with some meditative movement. It was a good week. Last am on ch 5 of Full Catastrophe Living…Breathe and Be.

I think that this goal will be ongoing and potentially life long. Im taking a mindfulness meditation class professionally and I’ve found that making meditation a professional thing takes something away from it. My intention had changed and it had become a very frustrating thing. I think mindfulness will be a professional pursuit and more mantra based meditation will be a personal pursuit. So far my greatest realizations have been that a) my breath is boring b) do onto myself as I do onto others, share the compassion c) meditation creates space to think as opposed to reacting…..over and out