I was thinking of filming the guided meditation session and then realized that not only would it be boring for people to watch, but that I would rather not try to meditate and film at the same time. (Although that might be an interesting concept.)
Geshela talked for about 40 minutes about meditation and how it affects two levels of existence: the mundane and the spiritual. He broke meditation down into 3 “sessions”: the first being finding a place where you can meditate and getting relaxed, the second being the actual meditation, and the third being post-meditation when you go out into the world after having your meditation session.
He stressed the importance of stopping when you think it’s going well for you, so that you don’t stress yourself out by forcing to spend 10, 20, 30 minutes a day meditating. If you force yourself to meditate, then the next day you’ll have negative feelings towards meditation, whereas if you end when you’re starting to feel good, you’ll be more excited to meditate the next day.
Of course, Geshela didn’t explain this as eloquently as I have put it. Instead, he used a very personal example.
“Oohh ho, I went to, a, White Castle? Yes, White Castle. It will be my first and last time, first and last!” (he holds his stomach and mimics moaning) “I ate too much, much too much… Maybe if I had stopped at 2, I would feel better!”
I think that’s something we can all understand. Hehe.
During the meditation, I kept squirming because my legs were killing me. A lot of students were sitting on chairs but that didn’t feel right for me, so I sat cross-legged on the floor. When I do meditate, it’s only about 15-20 minutes, so sitting there for an hour and 15 minutes was killer.
But, of course, I felt so much better afterwards that it makes up for it.
After the session, he gave each of us sandalwood prayer beads from Dharamsala. They smell very good, and he had brought just enough for all of us, so I was able to get one as well. (I have several sets of my own and would have let someone else have the sandalwood set.)
I am very sad to see Geshela go. When he saw me he went, “Ooohh ho! Angie! When did your hair grow??” and rustled my hair. He went on to do that another time before he left.
I was going to write him a letter of thanks but I never found the time. I might write it and mail it to him, or find a way to give it to him before he returns to India.
Speaking of return to India, I think I’ve pretty much decided to go back after I graduate and teach English or work at the children’s village for 6 months. :)
