Meditation is hard
Hello friends, I'm still enjoying my time here at the Ashram.
I'm finding myself having very intimate discussions with people about the nature of spirituality, personal fears and anxieties, etc. People are here because they want to confront and understand these things and are open to talking about them.
I'm enjoying the study I'm doing here. I've been practicing Ashtanga vinyasa yoga at home for a couple of years now, but the focus has been largely on the physical. The 8-limbed Ashtanga system is more than just the physical postures and I'm learning a lot about the other 7 limbs here. I feel like I'm getting context for understanding my physical, asana practice.
I think sitting in silent meditation is difficult, though they teach a systematic approach to it. First, establish the seated position, relax the body, establish a breath flow, direct the breath and then introduce a mantra into your mind. The goal at this beginning level is to focus the mind on observing the mantra and breath. I'm finding it difficult to maintain my focus on these things for long periods of time. I have other thoughts that pop in. I'm also finding the part of my body I can't relax is my stomach. This surprised me. I have to constantly go back to my stomach and make it relax. It's a process that can only get easier through consistent practice.
TTFN,
Lauren
posted by Lauren at 12:24 AM
2 Comments:
Hi Lauren;
Your recent entries seem to indicate that you've arrived at the beginning of another journey. I'm at a loss to comment intelligently because I don't have the foggiest idea of what you've discussed recently........it's a language that I'm not familiar with. Not the part about searching for grace and inner peace and the nature of spirituality etc. but what appear to be phrases from the Indian language or terms that are peculiar to Yoga. So I'll just limit myself to wishing you well in your quest.
I'll be away from the computer for a couple of weeks on a road trip to Washington state to visit half of our 16 grandchildren so I likely won't be found in the "Anonymous Comment" column for awhile. It probably comes at a good time since your friends seem more in tune with your current activities and can comment more meaningfully. As the opportunity presents itself I will certainly check your "blogsite" and try to stay in touch.
Fortunately we've had a spell of great spring weather that has allowed me to get out on the golf courses again.......not exactly the key to inner peace, the way I play but it provides the kind of misery that I enjoy! I should soon be able to "shoot my age", not because I'm getting any better but because I'm getting older. I'm hoping that I can do that while I can still occasionally shoot in the 70's. (No, I don't mean the temperature!) I missed doing it by just a couple strokes last summer.
There are many routes on the path to inner peace and understanding or whatever else it is that you seek. May your search be fruitful.
George
9:23 PM
George,take good care on your trip. We will miss hearing from you. Thank you for being such a part of Lauren's journey and such a good friend to her. Enjoy those grandchildren! Nancy
10:59 PM
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