Thursday, October 18, 2007

Meditation

Meditation has been an important part of my sobriety and spiritual practice for a long time. I remember the first time I went to a group meditation session - I thought I was going to jump out of my skin before it was over!
But I persevered, and gradually came to embrace the time to quiet my mind and sit with no distractions, no reaching or grabbing, no needing to have. I've read many, many books on meditation that I've found helpful. I think "Emotional Alchemy" by Tara Bennett-Goleman was one of the most profound reads for me on using meditation as a way to heal emotional wounds. Also, "Coming to Our Senses" by Jon Kabat-Zinn was a powerful book about the importance of mindfulness in creating a life of peace and joy. I've come to believe that learning to detach from my mind and all it's silly games is of real importance in gaining perspective on life and god(dess)and what the heck we're doing here. As long as I'm trapped in dualistic thinking, not realizing there is a way out of it, I'm probably not going to be very free or happy in this life. Once I got a taste of separating from me, and connecting with everything, I was hooked. So, this is my Wellness Wednesday post, on Thursday. I try, people.

7 comments:

Sherri said...

I'll take 'em where I can get 'em! Could you elaborate in a future post about your meditation rituals (if any).

Also, thought you'd like to know I started a vision board, and this time it's coming along nicely. I think it's going to turn out well. Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

I agree that the ability to be still once in a while is vital to understanding who and where we are.

bella said...

Meditation is the only thing I know that heals. It stills. It settles. It wakes me up and calms me down. It opens me to my whole self when I am prone to fragment. It brings me back to my source. It teaches me. It restores me. It awakens me to the present, where I can notice without judgment, and it is here I find I am most alive.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Bella... meditation heals. It lets fall away all that is Story and unreal. And for me personally its what saves me time and again.

PS... I started Wellness Wednesdays, and I too, didn't get mine up this week until today!

:)

Angela said...

Sherri,

I can't wait to see your vision board! As far as meditation rituals, I really don't have any. I just sit and close my eyes. I did use guided meditation cd's when I first started. Love ya!

Anonymous said...

When I'm willing to meditate, the difference in the day is totally amazing. There are tons of free downloadable guided meditations on line, and I snoop around for those often...some are perfect for me and some just grate! But I think it's relatively easy to find what works when I look for it.

Annie Z said...

Thank your for sharing these books with us. I will check them out. I agree with every word you wrote on meditation. I am still at the stage of jumping out of my skin - but only when I am alone and doing it. I love it in my yoga class, meditating at the beginning and at the end.
Annie
xxx