meditation

[Mountainhare]

I guess mindfulness takes time to learn Boris. Mindfulness doesn't come naturaly, we seem to be programmed to look out for N.o 1

It is hard to let go of certain feelings like anger, jealousy, envy. It is hard to ignore the "ego" it is very powerful.

I guess it is a bit like "learning" to be a non-drinker. It is hard to do, but once we master it, it will ultimately change our life and make us happier.

Keep practicing

[Boris Bike]

Thanks Hare. I think you are quite right and I shall keep practicing.

[1sunworshipper]

Has anyone done Ashtanga Yoga? It's been recommended to me and I'm considering joining a class in the New Year but first going to get hold of a book on it to explore if it will be something I could get into and benefit from.

[Mountainhare]

I've not tried it 1 sun, but I would give it a go, if there was a class near me. Yoga is supposed to be very good.

Hope you are supple

[Gerard]

Morning Peeps,

Thought I'd mention that Sounds True at http://www.soundstrue.com are offering 50% off all of their audio downloads.

To receive discount, enter JOYFUL into coupon code box when you check out. Coupon expires January 1st, 2013. All discounts apply to list price. Valid for online orders only.

The website offers guided programs by Eckhart Tolle, Pema Chodron and many others, and topics include guided meditations, self-acceptance and other areas which may be of interest. Tara Brach is worth a listen, for anyone not already familiar with her material.

Hope everyone is in good form

[joop]

oooh thanks for that Gerard. I need to get back into meditation and I think guided ones are the way forward for me, so I might find something on there

[Mountainhare]

Thanks for the link Gerard, I've downloaded the mindfulness meditation by Tara Brach.

Will let you know how I get on.

MH

[Mountainhare]

I'm still struggling with meditating at home! I've listened to the Tara Brach download, but I just can't seem to get in the right place you know?

Well a week tomorrow I have the course which I booked, up in bonny Scotland, in the Samye Ling palace so with a bit of luck, being in that environment I will be able to get jiggy with my inner self.

I am a bit nervous about going there for three days to be honest, but I am really hoping I can take something spiritual away from there and learn more about Buddhist philosophy and meditation.

I want mindfulness to become a more natural and integrated part of my living this year. That is my new years resolution.

Take care meditaters

MH

[paulette]

MountainHare, a really nice place to go for a week (if you could) is Plum Villlage near Bordeaux in France. It's all about living with mindfulness, walking, eating, working, meditating, It's also great fun there and it's a nice place to go in summer with your family. Believe it or not, teenagers like it too. You have a teenage girl? There are Plum Village meditation groups all over the UK too.

I hope you enjoy Scotland - never been to that centre. Are you planning a weekend away for your move to the 3 month thread? Hope you are doing well and you too Gerard.

[Givingitago]

Has anyone done Ashtanga Yoga? It's been recommended to me and I'm considering joining a class in the New Year but first going to get hold of a book on it to explore if it will be something I could get into and benefit from.

Hi 1sun

Not a massive yoga goer but i think ashtanga is quite fast paced and energetic. If you're not experienced you might be better starting with hatha or one of the other types. Or you could dive straight in and see how you get on

[MissBlue]

Hi Sun1 . I agree with GIAG that if you are new to yoga that learning the basics through Hatha yoga will help prevent injuries and give you the basic postures. You can check out ashtanga yoga on youtube. Good luck and I hope you get the yoga bug like me, on and off for the last 20 years

[Mountainhare]

Hey I'm back from the fabulous Samye Ling "intro to meditation" course and would thoroughly recommend it and Samye Ling as a place to visit if you have any spiritual leanings.

I was asked to keep a log of my time there, so I did. It is a bit long winded and probably just rambling rubbish but if anyone wants to read it, I have posted it here on a blog which I set up ages ago and never used.

http://mountainhare.blogspot.co.uk/

I will definitely be booking another course up there and look forward to going back soon

MH

[Mountainhare]

So I did the first of my morning meditations this morning which I have decided I am going to try and do each day for fifteen minutes.


It is more difficult to meditate when there is background noise and you are not in a spiritually condusive place, but I used the "boring" stone which I collected from the river Esk to help bring my focus back to the meditation, when my mind drifted and I started to cling on to thoughts.


What I learnt at Samye Ling was that we do not have to necessarily get into a deep, trance like spiritual place each time we meditate. Indeed this is what puts folk off when they first start, because they think the meditation is not working, that they cannot do it or they are no good. That is how I used to feel to be honest, so the course spelt out a few myths about meditation for me.


The aim in the beginning is to learn how to sit properly, to be aware of our posture; straight back, hands palm down on the knees, or palms up and thumbs touching. Then we aim to still our minds, if thoughts come be aware of them, but don't cling on to them or follow them. Be aware of our breathing; a little slower and deeper, mouth slightly open, so the jaw is relaxed, shoulders relaxed, back straight.


So this is what I am going to do each morning (hopefully) just for a maximum of 15 minutes. I will keep practicing and training my mind to be still. I will be aware of my posture and breathing. I will be aware of any thoughts and emotions, but not reactive, I will not cling to them or follow them, I will use my stone to refocus my mind if I do start to cling to thoughts or emotions.


After time I hope to be able to just do this simple meditation, be aware of background noises, but not cling on to either the background noise, or any thoughts or emotions, which may arise. I will concentrate on my breathing.


The nun at Samye Ling used the anology of ; imagine you are in a park, sat on a bench in the sunshine, you are daydreaming, enjoying the suns rays and the bird song. There are children playing and maybe dogs barking, or an icecream van may pass by, you are aware of these things but you don't really pay them attention. Well that is how we are to deal with thoughts and emotion and background noise, be aware of it, be like someone stood by a powerful waterfall; watching it, observing it, not caught up in the flow and washed away.


I think I understand much more about meditation now than I did. I understand now that it is also a learning process and will take time to get good at.

MH

[freedom1]

Mountain hare.. Many thanks for your journal. A really nicely written piece which seems to portray the atmosphere well (not that I have been there). I enjoyed reading it and inspired to go there myself.

Thank you

[DD]

Morning MH. I'm reminded of when I started learning the piano.

I was 7, and learning all sorts of other stuff (reading, riting, rithmetic), so practising came naturally. It was what we did as we grew up. We practised times tables, we practised writing and some of us practised piano.

As a single parent trying to earn enough money to fund an abhorrent habit (that alcohol. Sigh), I've done all sorts of things to earn a few pennies - including teaching piano. Adults give up very quickly because they don't have the time, the staying power, the focus -to practise.

As we grow up, we learn the 'instant gratification' route. If we can't do 'it' (whatever 'it' is) straightaway, we give up. I admire your focus, your stick ability. Nothing worth having comes easily (usually!). And I have to remind myself, practise makes perfect. It doesn't, but new skills need practise.

Keep practising. It will become easier.

[paulette]

Morning MH, your journal is lovely, thanks. How about finding or creating a meditation group ? I go to one on monday lunchtime. It's so nice to arrive stressed out and have an hour to slow down. A group can really support the practise. What a good idea to go to scotland to help you at the 2 month mark.

[london bloke]

Hi MH - thanks for shering your journal.

I predict you will get into a meditation habit; your understanding of the process and your expecattions seem spot on. I loved this point you made in your journal -

'Our past is not our future, nor is it our present, it is gone. From now on I will live in the present and let go of any negative emotion'

May you be well, may you be happy, may you be free from suffering.

[Mountainhare]

Freedom you should definitely pay a visit, you are only down the road. You could just go for the day, have a look around and check it out. I'm sure you will like it.

DD you are so right we must practice if we want to be good at anything no matter what that is. Whether that is the piano or meditating or giving up drinking hey! Wish I could play the piano!

Hi paulette I actually checked out a Manchester based Buddhist centre today, while I was passing. They do group meditations on Saturday mornings. There is also a six week course coming up which I might jump on. It still feels a bit strange for me to go and attend groups like this though to be honest.


Hey London bloke thanks And I sincerely wish you the same regarding happiness and freedom from suffering my friend.

[Mountainhare]

Today is the forth day of my solo meditations.

It is harder to meditate at home, rather than in a silent, spiritual place, because of background noise which is distracting and sends thoughts into my mind.

One thing I have noticed though, is that the fifteen minutes which I have allocated for my meditations, seems to be going quicker and my hips and knees seem to be getting more used to sitting in the cross legged position, also my back isn't aching as much from trying to keep it straight like it did when I first started on Friday night at Samye Ling.

It reminds me of when I began Tae Kwon do and I was unsupple and unbalanced, but with much practice came suppleness and a more graceful flowing movement.

I am also making a conscious effort to incorporate "mindfulness" into my daily life, which has more to it than I first thought or understood. Another thing I am learning and trying to do is recognise emotions; anger, frustration, stress etc and take a step back from them instead of reacting impulsively to the emotion.

I've had no thoughts or cravings since Friday, so something must be working!

Boomshanka

MH

[Cate]

Hello everyone,

Firstly MH - Thanks for sharing your blog. I loved reading it and you portrayed it so well. You took me there with you for a moment.

I haven´t been doing very well on the meditation front ( bet that was easy to guess) but I´m doing pretty ok on the being mindful and Qi Gong which helps somewhat.

Keep practising. Yes thats what we have to do.

xx