STOP SQUIRMING! SIT STILL!
In this new year, I’m embracing the idea of reinvention and improvement. When it was apparent that my last job was running its course, I kicked into high gear with an emergency plan of running fully-caffeinated doing my job, being a single mom while finding/launching a second career. Utilizing every waking moment quickly out-lived its effectiveness. The plan that once energized me with its double-dog dare in my face now has me dog-tired.
So I ask myself – W.W.O.D.? – What would Oprah do? I’ve lived most of my adult life with O teaching me how to be grateful, to live authentically, and to find the true me. I enjoyed our daily chats from our couches but now that her show has ended, it is time to see if I’ve truly learned anything.
She, along with many, heralds the value of slowing down, being present, being STILL. In the past I scoffed at the idea saying I didn’t have the time, or if I halt inertia I’ll fall over – asleep. Some suggested to me that when you sit still allowing your mind to be open, demons enter. Scarier to me than them is the realization that my kids have just grown 2 years and though I transported both to their various stops trying to mold the best kids they can be, I haven’t been present enough to recall most landmarks or milestones.
So, as usual, today I am researching, exploring methodology and psyching myself up to calm down. Tomorrow I’ll dive in. I know I want to meditate, not be hypnotized. I don’t want a new religion, rather new peace of mind. I want to sit silently so that I might hear the answers that the universe provides but remain centered enough to act on them. I drew upon my single previous meditation experience, in a Buddhist temple no less, and then found an app for that – guided meditation through our chakras. I want a tour guide to provide noise to drown out my cats and hope that it will yell if I fall asleep.
For tonight, that’s exactly where I am going, amped to try meditation tomorrow! Have any favorite meditation practices or tips?
I’m not very good at slowing down enough to meditate daily (you sound like ME!!!), but I’ve done this meditation at a couple of retreats and liked it:
http://www.buddhistbelief.com/buddhist-belief/buddhist-belief-metta-meditation-loving-kindness
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check it out!
The Chopra Center’s guided meditation with David Ji are great for beginners. They helped me a lot. Once you’re ready for silence, try an app called insight timer that you customize. It also tells you who else in the world is meditating along with you which is pretty cool! Use an eye mask if the light bothers you.
Mostly, just be patient. It really is gonna feel like your bum is just on the floor and you’ll be itchy to clean your house and check your email. After even a week of just 15 minutes a pop you’ll feel some really cool stuff. It’s worth it.
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Thanks for dropping by Darryl! Appreciate the note!