Meditation 101

How often, how long, how do you, meditate? I’ve had these questions posed more than once in my lifetimeI’ve had these questions posed more than once in my lifetime. When I was a church going man it was called devotions. But that didn’t make it any easier. For over thirty years I was told that it was essential to either have devotions (when I used to attend a church) or meditate.
A few years ago I received one as a gift and then purchased another of these really cute frogs in a “meditation pose”. They were meant to remind me to not take meditating so seriously.

Yes there are those who will tell you that meditating means sitting in the lotus position and humming or chanting. And certainly this is a way of meditation that works for some people. It’s tried and true. It’s centuries old. But it doesn’t usually work for me due to a degenerating spine.

When I was doing my level best to live the life expected of me while in the church I was constantly told that it was so important to maintain a good devotional life. So for many years I really tried to do as I was told. I would take time in the morning for my quiet time. If that didn’t work, and this was usually the case, I would try another time of day.

Devotions became this TO DO item. Now understand, I’m someone who likes lists. But I hated this item on my list! Truly! I did. It was dry and boring. It was serving no purpose in my life. I certainly wasn’t any closer to being holy. If anything it became something that I would add to my list – you know the one – called “I will beat myself up about this” list. I was a dismal failure at this and I always knew it.

Well when I was ‘asked’ to leave the church when I came out I just gave up on it. I figured it was just another item that made me feel like I was worthless.

Fast forward years later, to present time. I have finally found the secret. And I don’t mean the book by Rhonda Byrne. I found that mediation is like a tailored suit. It is totally made-to-measure. It is not a suit that is so tight on you because it fits Susie down the street. I really started to look at various ideas and methods. And then it must have dawned on me at some point. There is no single way to meditate. There is no single type of prayer. Devotion is about your commitment, not your ‘bash me’ list. Besides if I found it agonizing to do the crossed-leg thing, what about people who are confined to a wheelchair or bed? Were they going to be judged? Well, perhaps not by a Higher Power; but probably by a few unenlightened individuals.

I am now committed to meditate in a variety of ways. Sometimes I will put a timer on for 5 minutes and just breathe. And if something (and many things do) passes through my mind I don’t get upset because I should have my head “empty” – as if! If it’s important I usually have a pen and paper or my iPhone close by and I’ll make note of it. I’ve even written on my hand! And then I get back to the breathing. Have you ever stopped to listen to yourself breathe? It is truly amazing. This wonder-full body just sucks air in and pushes it out….automatically! It doesn’t need an oil change every 10,000 kilometres. It doesn’t require the computer to be reset. It just happens. It’s wonderful. It really is. Gosh! Now I’m actually excited about BREATHING!

Other times I will go for a walk. I’ll suit up and put Gracie into a sweater and off we go. Usually I’ll have my iPhone plugged into my ears and Enya is playing…wonderful. And I just let my mind go…or not…depends on the day.

Then there’s a whole ‘new’ type of mediation out there called mindful awareness. Without going into a six-week online course in my blog let me tell you the secret of mindful awareness. It’s sooooooooo simple! First of all let me say, it’s not new at all. Just take time to be mindfully aware of your surroundings, your body and its doings, your mind and its chatter, your breath. Just BE. Stop doing and just BE. But you don’t have to stop and go into a state. You can be mindfully aware typing away at your laptop. I am doing this myself, right now. As I am ‘tuned in’ or mindfully aware of the people around me I can hear bits and bites of conversations. I am sending them Light and Energy. I am absorbing some of the wonderful energy coming to me too.

Pup until a few minutes ago there was a lady sitting beside me here in Starbucks. She was reading the paper and then asked me if I wanted to hear something funny. Without skipping a beat in my ‘mediation’ I said yes and listened while she read a short article to me. Her energy was lovely. But I also sensed that she wasn’t a big talker. It was just nice being aware of her presence, her energy, her spirit…I don’t even remember what the article was about now. It was her spirit that touched me.

I think if I had a favourite form of meditation…..I don’t have one. I like them all and am discovering new ways all the time for my spirit to commune with its Creator, with creation, even with the chattering monkey that is my mind.

Meditation 101. Simple. Easy. Just find what works of you and do it.

Blessings.


Meditation 101