Its time that we review what we having been doing together. We are learning to meditate. We're learning the first few steps of how to synchronize our minds with our bodies. We can often find ourselves following after thoughts that pinball back and forth in reaction to what we hear and see around us. We react to what we feel in our bodies and the speed of our mind intensifies. We want to just grab our heads and yell, "Stop the world. I want to get off"!
We are beginning to learn through an awareness of posture and concentration on the breath to slow things down. We want to find balance more as a gyroscope and less as a top spinning out of control.
I want us to continue setting aside time for our meditation "practice". It can be five or ten minutes to start. We are not in a race. We are not looking to be meditation masters. We are growing as young saplings in springtime. Let us tend ourselves with care!
Let us try to find the same period of time each day in which to practice. It helps to set your internal clock. You will come to appreciate this time that you've decided to set apart from the rest of the day.
Remember to gently stretch before you begin to sit, in whatever position that you have chosen for yourself. As you sit, sit as a mountain. Strong, yet relaxed. Fixed. Back straight, yet relaxed. Throughout the day, I want you to stop and consciously become aware of your posture. Is your face and forehead tight? Are your shoulders pulled back or slumped forward? Hands clenched? Do a body scan and seek to relax your tight areas. Be aware of your posture throughout the day and seek to relax it whenever you bring your posture to mind. Practice!
When you sit in practice, allow for a few deep cleansing breaths. Allow your breath to self regulate. Focus on the breath as it enters and leaves through your nose: the tip of your tongue lightly resting behind the front top teeth. Become aware of the breath just beyond the tip of your nose. Allow it to flow naturally. Some days you may breath long and slow and deep. On some days it may appear shallow. Just note it. Just breathe. Be aware. Throughout the day, I want you to stop what you are doing and become aware of the breath. Is the chest tight? Is your breathing labored or stressed? Stop! Relax. Focus on your breath. You will come to appreciate this moment and your sudden increased awareness may seem like you just got high. Mmmmmm! Bliss......
We are beginning to find ourselves experiencing better posture and a relaxed body.
We will begin to find ourselves enjoying more of the present moment.
We will become more aware of our bodies.
We will be less impulsive in our reactions.
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated
Xiao xiongdi!
ReplyDeleteA group of us in my office have, for an entire month, been doing a regular noontime qigong session which always concludes with a meditation period. At least four of us are VERY regular and determined in participating.
This was company sanctioned as part of a "health improvement" program. We won an award in a company recognition and we were praised for...promoting martial arts! (Whatever they want to think!)