In this weekly support letter we offer you a bit of inspiration/wisdom as well as some questions to reflect on and an opportunity to draw your awareness from the cushion into every moment of your waking life! Consider keeping a journal to track your experiences and if you like share your challenges and insights with us all right here!
While our intentions are important, this quote from Larry Rosenberg cautions us about goals...
"It is important to emphasize, in discussing the art of meditation
(and the practice as you continue becomes an art, with many subtle nuances), that you shouldn't start out with some idea of gaining. This is the deepest paradox in all of meditation: we want to get somewhere -- we wouldn't have taken up the practice if we didn't - but the way to get there is just to be fully here. The way to get from point A to point B is really to be at A. When we (meditate) in the hope of becoming something better, we are compromising our connection to the present, which is all we ever have."
So, in this practice, we are asked to hold an apparent contradiction -
the willful effort of showing up with our best intention and the letting go of all expectation...but this week just for about 10 minutes!!!
REFLECTION
We ask the question "Why Bother?" Pause for a moment to reflect on this...in your journal or on the blog
- What about meditation is of interest to you?
- What motivates you to engage in this practice?
- What is your intention?
- What will bring you back to your cushion or chair even when your resistance is high?
Pause for some moments in your day, notice the sounds that abound, the breath moving in and out, the thoughts racing and stumbling, the sensation of your smile. Take the time in a few of the "in between" places in your life, stopped at a red light, in line at the market, on hold on the phone, tune in to the moment, look at what is really happening...don't think, just see.
Post or comment or email with any questions, concerns, challenges etc and we will do our best to support you.
Jenn & Rebecca
