Hi Everyone,
How's it going? I am having a little trouble focusing on my goal this week. Simply being present is a lot harder than you would think! Each morning I have started with 5 minutes of meditation. My alarm goes off at 6. I sit up, hit the snooze button and begin to meditate. I start by congratulating myself on such a good intention.... then I remember.... set my attention on my hands, my head says did I set up the coffee maker? then I remember.... set my attention on my base, my toes are tangled in the sheets, do I need to cut my toe nails?.... then I remember....set my attention on my breath, in and out, in and out, I need to blow my nose, wheres that tissue box?.... then I remember.... set my attention to the inner wall of my forehead.... is it almost time yet?.... Did I turn the alarm off?.... then I remember...set my attention on the sounds around me...... BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. 5 minutes is up!
The point is I kept starting over, again and again. This over and over is how we begin to meditate. Please do not scold yourself for the chatter in your mind. Just remember to begin again. It may seem impossible, but eventually your mind will get sick of being redirected to the present, and it will allow you to rest there.
How about food? During this first week we are asked to identify our needs for cooling, heating, building, and cleansing. I find that I am out of balance here. I like to be warm and I do not need to gain weight. I'd like to loose some. What I need are foods that heat and cleanse. Here, I am struggling with "habit" food choices. Being present, considering my options and my goal often enables me to make a healthier and satisfying choice.
If you choose to believe the voice in your head, your daily yoga practice may seem like a chore. "My knees hurt, I'm too tired...." no matter what excuses your mind comes up with, just do it, just show up. I am always surprised by the truth of my practice once I get started. "My knees can take it, I'll sleep later"
Keep to the moment,
Love Sherry
How's it going? I am having a little trouble focusing on my goal this week. Simply being present is a lot harder than you would think! Each morning I have started with 5 minutes of meditation. My alarm goes off at 6. I sit up, hit the snooze button and begin to meditate. I start by congratulating myself on such a good intention.... then I remember.... set my attention on my hands, my head says did I set up the coffee maker? then I remember.... set my attention on my base, my toes are tangled in the sheets, do I need to cut my toe nails?.... then I remember....set my attention on my breath, in and out, in and out, I need to blow my nose, wheres that tissue box?.... then I remember.... set my attention to the inner wall of my forehead.... is it almost time yet?.... Did I turn the alarm off?.... then I remember...set my attention on the sounds around me...... BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. 5 minutes is up!
The point is I kept starting over, again and again. This over and over is how we begin to meditate. Please do not scold yourself for the chatter in your mind. Just remember to begin again. It may seem impossible, but eventually your mind will get sick of being redirected to the present, and it will allow you to rest there.
How about food? During this first week we are asked to identify our needs for cooling, heating, building, and cleansing. I find that I am out of balance here. I like to be warm and I do not need to gain weight. I'd like to loose some. What I need are foods that heat and cleanse. Here, I am struggling with "habit" food choices. Being present, considering my options and my goal often enables me to make a healthier and satisfying choice.
If you choose to believe the voice in your head, your daily yoga practice may seem like a chore. "My knees hurt, I'm too tired...." no matter what excuses your mind comes up with, just do it, just show up. I am always surprised by the truth of my practice once I get started. "My knees can take it, I'll sleep later"
Keep to the moment,
Love Sherry
ps, 2/2/2010 these are from the first class at Richmond senior center. 26 students!
Sherry,
ReplyDeleteHi from NJ. I am following the book and will be taking a yoga class this morning. It feels great! You referred to a log that you are using. Where do I find that?