» relax http://www.brendamiller.org/blog Sat, 26 Jun 2010 16:58:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 en hourly 1 Meditation Class: Week 4 http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/2010/02/meditation-class-week-4/ http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/2010/02/meditation-class-week-4/#comments Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:00:53 +0000 Brenda http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/?p=92 Metta, or Loving-kindness meditation was introduced into our practice last Monday. It’s about developing compassion, which is meant to bring balance to being mindful (aware). During my half hour of practice each day there’s no doubt that the time I spend with the Metta is my favorite.  I like it because my mind gets to focus on words that have meaning instead of me just focusing on the rise and fall of my belly. Also, there’s the fact that compassion is a quality of life that brings me more in touch with my humanity and the humanness of others; I have room for more of that, for sure.

The best thing I can say about the rest of my practice time is that I’m able to relax, observe, and allow; these are the three parts of the intention I set each day before I begin.  The allow part is my greatest accomplishment to date.  I no longer beat myself up for not meditating right, or yap about how ineffective I think I‘m being.

As of now, I don’t look forward to meditating for any reason other than it’s on my checklist as something I’ve committed to, and it must be done. The good news is I have less doubt than before that a time will come when I look forward to meditation for the insight and peace it brings me.

]]> http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/2010/02/meditation-class-week-4/feed/ 0 Meditation Class: Week 2 http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/2010/02/meditation-class-week-2-mindful-versus-full-mind/ http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/2010/02/meditation-class-week-2-mindful-versus-full-mind/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:29 +0000 Brenda http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/?p=51 By the end of last Monday night’s class I was in full appreciation of my teacher’s ability to express himself about awareness.  I was impressed enough to compliment him when we were through.  He suggested we read Experience of Insight to assist us. Of course I bought the book, even though it must be the millionth one I’ve purchased on the subject of meditation.  I just got it the other day, and haven’t really spent much time with it yet.

We were told that meditation involves three things: relax, observe, allow.  Nice!  In my personal life it is rare that I experience these three states of being all at one time.  I set that intention each  time I begin to practice (well almost each time :) ).

I had two homework assignments: 1) add another activity to be mindful about (now I’m focusing on every detail of brushing my teeth and using the water pick; and 2) spend the week emphasizing a relaxed body and mind.

Practice was challenging for me this week; maybe more so than last.  At this point I notice how far away from mindful I am because of my very full mind.  I’m still determined to practice each day though, and do keep in mind that even those who are regulars at this still call it ‘practice’.

]]> http://www.brendamiller.org/blog/2010/02/meditation-class-week-2-mindful-versus-full-mind/feed/ 0