I meditated for an hour yesterday at a zen center. Its the first time I’ve meditated for more than 30 minutes. And the strange thing is….it didn’t feel that long.
I was worried that my legs would fall asleep or I would fall asleep or I’d burp or something. Nothing happened, although I was able to squash a burp before it made its appearance.
Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. In fact I was completely alert the entire time.
The room I was in was actually very quiet and I decided to focus on the noises instead of focusing on my breath. After a while I became aware of the din that had passed for "quiet" a few minutes ago. There were all these birds chirping away (I guess its mating season) and I felt like I was in some tropical forest. It was very pleasant to listen to. I couldn’t hear any automobiles but I could hear various machinery like the heater go on and off.
I tried to do a metta meditation, but didn’t have it in me to do it.
And it was so much more pleasant to come out of the meditation session via a buddhist bell then a noisy kitchen timer.
I meditate in the steamroom in my gym after I work out. I like to read while I’m on the treadmill and then try to meditate on one clear concept or thought. It’s a cross between meditate and pray I think, and God and Karma hears me through my mentholated sweat.
It isn’t ideal, but being that it’s my only little blip of time by myself I do what I can.
I think just being quiet and still with your thought, or clearing your mind is incredibly helpful to people.
Comment by Going Crunchy — April 22, 2008 @ 8:34 am
I am much more scared of meditation sessions than say boxing classes (not that I have ever boxed before). I imagine myself getting very bored and very uncomfortable. My mind refuses to be shut down. How long have you practiced?
Comment by CindyW — April 22, 2008 @ 11:58 am
I went for a week trying to meditate for five minutes a day. It was impossible. Also it taught me that my subconscious is a twelve year old boy, because I would be sitting there trying to meditate, and then something ridiculous like “balls” would pop into my head, and I would get the giggles. Suffice it to say, I have never taken a class as I would not want to repeat that experience in front of people.
Comment by arduous — April 22, 2008 @ 12:31 pm
I was introduced forcibly into meditation practice when I was in high school. I found the exercise to be tedious and boring especially because it was the first class of the day and I liked sleeping more than sitting with my eyes closed. So its been on and off for over 10 years.
I introduced my husband to meditation and he is now a big fan of Gautama’s ideas. The main reason I got him to meditate was because he couldn’t sit still for more than 1 minute. I am a very quiet person and his chattering used to drive me up the wall. When I suggested meditating, he thought it involved flying carpets or some sort of transcendental experience.
arduous: I have some really bizzare thoughts when meditating. One time I recalled how I felt when I was 10 sitting cross legged on the floor with mary-jane type shoes. The buckles hurt and my catholic school teachers yelled at me when I tried to get comfortable.
And yes. I was taught meditation in a Catholic school.
Comment by Beany — April 22, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
Thanks for the linh to the Metta Meditation. I found myself saying out loud yesterday soething about beating a pit bull with a walking stick and wacking the owner with it as well. I NEED to spend time in Metta meditation.
Comment by equa yona — April 22, 2008 @ 6:06 pm