Meditation
For what seems like forever, (in reality its just been the last few years) my husband’s solution to almost every one of my problems has been:
“Go meditate.”
It’s almost become a joke between us, except I’m usually the only one finding it funny. I think he thinks I’m just not taking him seriously.
I’ve read books upon books about Buddhism and the integral role of mediation, so I know that my husband’s advise is usually spot on, but because of my bad previous experiences with meditation I’ve balked at the idea.
In the past whenever I’ve done meditation it has been in a group setting that has been a bit intimidating; monks in robes, incense, gongs, and sessions that were long. If I remember correctly, the last time I went with my husband to the meditation center, I think we did two 30 minute sessions that were practically back to back. After the first 30 minutes I tried to stand up but I barely could because my one leg was completely numb. I couldn’t feel it at all. And after the second session I was near tears from the pain in my back. Not fun, to say the least.
I’ve tried to adopt the rest of the Buddha’s teachings into my life, but I admit that there has always been something missing. Maybe a good analogy would be to say it’s like saying your a Christian yet refusing to pray, or probably even more accurate to say that your a Christian yet you refuse to believe in Jesus. Anywho, a few days ago I decided that I just needed to “sit down and shut up,” to quote Brad Warner, among other’s I’m sure.
But this time I decided to cut the session really short.
I set the timer for 10 minutes and sat down.
And I sat.
And I tried to focus on my breathing.
After probably 6 or 7 minutes, I started to get a few aches in my back that began competing for attention with my breathing. The pain wasn’t horrible and I found that if I mentally brought myself back to focusing on my breath, the pain became merely a sensation and not something bad. That is until I thought, “wow I don’t feel the pain anymore” in which case I just brought myself back to focusing on breathing.
And the next thing I knew the bell on the timer had sounded and I was done.
Piece of cake.
I know that 10 minutes isn’t very long, but it’s 10 minutes more than what I had been doing the day before. And I can always increase the time once my mind and body get used to it.
So now the plan is to meditate for 10 minutes every day (so far so good, by the way). I know meditation has helped my husband out. I hope it will help me. Eventually. I know I shouldn’t put any expectations on it.
Now my husband can start telling me to go do something else.
Wait a minute… that last sentence just sounds wrong. 
[...] Importance of Posture Posted in: General In writing my post about meditation I realized that it is likely my poor posture that is making my back [...]
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 amI don’t think meditation is the answer to *every* problem.
And considering that you’re someone who is an extrovert like me, I’d imagine you would have a lot more luck initially talking things through out loud and then meditating after, or something along those lines, especially when another person is involved in what you want to sort through.
I find myself feeling the clearest after talking out loud about something (or even typing a lot about it on LJ, etc.), sometimes figuring out really big things only after saying them out loud and then going, “wow… it just all fit together.” Jim’s gotten really good at knowing when I’m sorting something out out loud and listening/nodding/interjecting as I work through it through talking.
Talking helps too.
Or I wouldn’t have a profession, eep! I glad you said “almost always” instead of that he always says that, because I’ve seen you light up and figure things out during our more in-depth talks, so I think that’s important for you too.
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July 21st, 2008 at 1:25 am