learn to meditate

I went to meditation instruction last night. The instructor pretty much just said the same things I’d read in books. New ideas:

• Keep eyes open, even if unfocused, because you’re not trying to shut the world out
• Say the word “thinking” when you catch yourself thinking
• Sit on a cushion or brick high enough to prevent sleeping feet, and allow knees lower than hips for easier posture. Don’t be too proud to use a seat.
• Practice, practice, practice

I attempted today. Mostly it’s hard to meditate with an attention-hungry cat around. He pulled his usual nighttime routine, complete with door knob rattling and caterwauling. He did give up, maybe 15 minutes in, can’t be sure because I was refusing to look at the clock.

I wish I had a quiet place to try this. I was not comfortable at the meditation center (they are more focused on ceremony and supernatural than I have interest in) so I’m not sure if I want to go back there. I think I’ll give it one more try at the next open house I can get to. Also, I’m thinking about trying to meditate at work. I’m typically the last one to leave for the day (last one to arrive in the am because cat makes me want to sleep in) so I do have access to a quiet space. I could stay for 15 minutes when I’m done working for the day. Starting tomorrow!

For the first time since I re-opened this goal, I’m actually free for the weekly open house at the meditation center near my boyfriend’s house.
The timing couldn’t be better as I am in desperate need of relaxation and quiet time and it happens to be a special open house with some kind of special speaker.

Wow, it was 3 years ago when I gave up this goal!

I’m reopening and I’m looking up zen centers, retreats and regular classes. This isn’t something I think I can do alone, but something that I’m very inspired to do.

I’ve done a full week of 8 minute mediation.
Its going well, but not great. Last night was my first session of naked sound meditation. It went ok for 4 minutes and then out of nowhere my cat decided to try to bite my toe off. Can’t ignore something like that!

Now that I have a better understanding of what meditation is, I realzize that when I’m swimming & I focus my attention on my form, I can “catch and release” thoughts without getting caught up in them. Maybe I knew how to do this all along.

I went to a talk about meditation today. Just an hour of the basics, but it got me excited to really start working on this.

The speaker recomended a book/program called 8 Minute Meditation by Victor Davich.

At first I didn’t like the sound of it. It seems to be heading in the wrong direction. The ultimate goal (for me) is to break free from the faster-faster-faster world of the 21st century. So starting out with something that promises quick sessions and quick results and learn 8 methods in 8 weeks seems to be a bit off. Too Western.

But the speaker (who did not use this as her first tool for learning to meditate) said that she liked it as in introduction. It’s supposed to teach a different type of meditation each week, for 8 weeks. That way, if one doesn’t work for you, you can move on to the next without giving up the practice entirely or buying more books. At the end, hopefully I’ll be able to subjectively compare them and decide which to persue further, or explore other methods.

I’m the sort of person who likes “programs” that have a begining and end, usually with the hope of improving habits in the longer term. TV turn-off week, no-diet coke month, vegetarian for a week, weekend detox, Mozart month… So 8 weeks of 8 minutes a day is right up my ally.

I convinced my sister to do this with me. Hopefully we’ll get together on the phone at least once a week and compare notes. And hopefully we’ll both find some benefit and learn something.