I'm writing this in a Starbucks, sipping my grande half-caf Americano, my copy of "The Wisdom of Yoga" beside me. I just attended my first ever meditation group.... and following it up with a coffee break. I tell you, its all about embracing the different, wonderful facets of ourselves. :)
I liked it - the meditation group. It's small; I have the impression that there's probably a core group of 4 or 5 that meet every Tuesday morning. All women, it seems, and most in their 50's. I realize often that I seem to find myself surrounded by these older females in my life. I wonder, at times, if it's the Universe giving me the "mother" connection while my own Mom lives so many thousand kilometres away.
When everyone has arrived, we connect for a bit - there's the opportunity to share anything you'd like about your week, how your meditation has been going, or just general life stuff. The chalice is then lit and the bell sounds. We do a 10-15 minute walking meditation, through the sanctuary and then around back to the Library where we meet. After a few moments of silence, we reconnect - - how was that meditation for you, did anything arise for you, etc. There is then a bit of discussion based on teachings or books - - today the woman leading the meditation, Darla, read a short passage about honouring ourselves, and then each person was welcome to share her own experiences, thoughts that are evoked by the reading. Basically, you can share where you are in your journey. We follow this with a 10-15 minute seated meditation, followed by a final contemplative meditation ~ where each person can speak freely and be heard and the group considers what is shared is silence for a moment afterward, after which the next person, if she chooses, may share her experience.
It was great. I loved it. It was remarkably less intimidating than I thought it might be. 10-15 minute sessions are very manageable for me where I'm at right now. I really like the time that is given in sharing our thoughts and experiences through the meditation. I love to hear what the other women had to offer; it's such an opportunity for learning and growth. I love being welcome to share from my own heart, and have this be heard and taken in my others. It is interesting and so valuable, also, to hear feedback.
Walking Meditation: This was my first experience with walking meditation. Initially, I'll admit that a silly part of me was kind of giggling at what we must look like - - a group of women following each other at a turtle's crawl around the Sanctuary, but you know what? I really fell into it. A few minutes into the meditation I noticed that I'd been holding my shoulders up - what a tremendous feeling to just let go - release. My arms felt wonderfully heavy and warm. I found that, while the stained glass window and skylights are pretty, it felt more natural for me to focus my soft gaze a few feet ahead of me on the ground. My breath coming in gently, leaving gently; the rhythmic ticking of the clock... the warmth of silence, the texture of the ground underfoot... so much there, and it began to envelope me.
Seated Meditation: This passed very quickly for me. If anything, I would have enjoyed it continuing a bit longer. I used my mala beads and my mantra - remembering my breath, how it flowed once I connected my mantra and my breath.
(inhale) Ong (exhale) Namo (long, inhale) Guru Dev (long, soft exhale) Namo
My mind wandered off a few times - - to the future, to uncertainties.. but I was able to bring it back. My inner voice said to me that all I need will be provided to me in the perfect time and space. I realized that my abdomen was not being fully released, and so I softened it. Let go. The room was warm; to me, this helped me feel wrapped in the energy of meditation that we were creating together. It felt pretty incredible.
After the bell sounded, we sat in silence for a time. I was in this really warm, head-y state. I let myself come back slowly.
We shared a bit of our own experience. Darla asked me about my mala. I explained how touching the beads as I meditate, either with a mantra or not, helps me to ground inwardly and that, with time, the mala come to be a tactile representation to your mind to ease you entering into meditation. I also shared how my string of birth beads, given to be by friends around the World in anticipation of our second child's birth, had helped me to focus and centre myself so much during my labour. They seemed very interested to hear about this, and said how wonderful it is when we all come together, and how each person brings something new to the group and we learn and grow from each other.
I felt so very welcome and honoured to be among them. I will make this part of my life. I loved it. LOVED it.
~K
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Universe provides... and decluttering
Last week I went to do some poking around at a favourite resale shop. My intention was to find a bathing suit (or two) for my eldest daughter - - summer sees us spending a lot of time at the Beach and at the Pool, so having an extra suit is a good thing. While I'm *so* not a shopper, I do love the treasure-finding nature of consignment shopping. I love to see if there's anything on my Cosmic wish list that jumps out at me.
I wasn't going to browse through the books at first - if the gently sagging bookshelves in our living room are any testament, this family isn't really in need of more books. I'm more of a library booster myself, but that day I felt drawn to take a quick look. Literally 1 minute after mentally musing "I'd love a good feng shui book", I spotted the spine of "Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui" on one of the top shelves. (I know, I chuckle a bit at the irony of finding a book titled "clear your clutter" in a second-hand store - - obviously, this book spoke to it's previous owner! ;) ) I flipped through it quickly, found it to look highly readable and concise, and popped it into my cart. Totally not feng shui related, but another HUGE cosmic score from the day? A pair of J-41 Vegan shoes in excellent condition, for only $10!! Ok, so I digress, but these are *very* squee-worthy. I'd been restraining myself from buying a pair only a month ago, cringing a bit at the $80 price tag. The Universe takes care of me. :)
Back to the book.
I'm now nearly finished, with only another 20 pages to go. I felt completely inspired as I went through even the earliest chapters, and my first efforts were directed to the vanity in the main bathroom of our house. Good GRACIOUS, did that ever have come kind of clutter-attracting magical powers! In less than an hour, though, I had a bag of trash ready to take out - - with old cosmetics, 1/8 full bottles of shampoo - - you know, the ones we keep "just in case" (in case of what??) - - dull razors, scads of band-aid wrappers (are my children the only ones who seem to forget where wrappers go?), old toothbrushes, etc, etc, etc. In less than an hour I had a neat, organized bathroom vanity AND, behold, the bottom drawer now closes! Ahhhhhhh....
Over the course of the next few days, I worked my way through the kitchen cupboards and drawers. I tossed more than a dozen empty jars (WHY did I accumulate these, and how is it that you end up with 40 zillion lids that have no matching jar?) , random tofutti/yogurt/margarine containers, mugs with broken handles - - all of them, GONE. Seriously? It's like you can actually breathe easier - like there is more air available to your lungs - when you get rid of crap you don't love, need or use. I then turned my focus to the living room. Here, I enlisted the help (bribed/threatened/cajoled) of my daughters to sort through their craft corner and prune it down to things they actually love and use. I'm not sure they started out enjoying it, but there is a certain lightness that undeniably grows on you as you shed excess. I dare say they were rather pleased with their efforts by the end of it! My own desk got thoroughly decluttered and wiped down. It's amazing how much dust accumulates around a computer monitor! There is still some work to be done in the shelves that line our wall, but it's come a long, long way.
I am seriously riding a high from all of this decluttering. Admittedly, I'm a person that gets downright itchy when a space is cluttery, but still I think this is the first time I've set a very focused intention on getting rid of ALL that we don't love, need or use. It feels absolutely fantastic. It is liberating; it is like wiping clear a dirty window (yes, I did that too)... it's soul-enriching.
Amazing how much stuff can find it's way into our homes. Amazing how often, when we're *really* honest with ourselves, we're keeping things out of a sense of guilt or obligation. Letting go - - I think there is a huge link between letting go on a physical level and letting go on a mental level. It is healthful to let go, to make room for new, wonderful experiences and lay full trust in the Universe to provide for our highest good.
To quote Karen Kingston, Happy Clutter Clearing!
~K
I wasn't going to browse through the books at first - if the gently sagging bookshelves in our living room are any testament, this family isn't really in need of more books. I'm more of a library booster myself, but that day I felt drawn to take a quick look. Literally 1 minute after mentally musing "I'd love a good feng shui book", I spotted the spine of "Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui" on one of the top shelves. (I know, I chuckle a bit at the irony of finding a book titled "clear your clutter" in a second-hand store - - obviously, this book spoke to it's previous owner! ;) ) I flipped through it quickly, found it to look highly readable and concise, and popped it into my cart. Totally not feng shui related, but another HUGE cosmic score from the day? A pair of J-41 Vegan shoes in excellent condition, for only $10!! Ok, so I digress, but these are *very* squee-worthy. I'd been restraining myself from buying a pair only a month ago, cringing a bit at the $80 price tag. The Universe takes care of me. :)
Back to the book.
I'm now nearly finished, with only another 20 pages to go. I felt completely inspired as I went through even the earliest chapters, and my first efforts were directed to the vanity in the main bathroom of our house. Good GRACIOUS, did that ever have come kind of clutter-attracting magical powers! In less than an hour, though, I had a bag of trash ready to take out - - with old cosmetics, 1/8 full bottles of shampoo - - you know, the ones we keep "just in case" (in case of what??) - - dull razors, scads of band-aid wrappers (are my children the only ones who seem to forget where wrappers go?), old toothbrushes, etc, etc, etc. In less than an hour I had a neat, organized bathroom vanity AND, behold, the bottom drawer now closes! Ahhhhhhh....
Over the course of the next few days, I worked my way through the kitchen cupboards and drawers. I tossed more than a dozen empty jars (WHY did I accumulate these, and how is it that you end up with 40 zillion lids that have no matching jar?) , random tofutti/yogurt/margarine containers, mugs with broken handles - - all of them, GONE. Seriously? It's like you can actually breathe easier - like there is more air available to your lungs - when you get rid of crap you don't love, need or use. I then turned my focus to the living room. Here, I enlisted the help (bribed/threatened/cajoled) of my daughters to sort through their craft corner and prune it down to things they actually love and use. I'm not sure they started out enjoying it, but there is a certain lightness that undeniably grows on you as you shed excess. I dare say they were rather pleased with their efforts by the end of it! My own desk got thoroughly decluttered and wiped down. It's amazing how much dust accumulates around a computer monitor! There is still some work to be done in the shelves that line our wall, but it's come a long, long way.
I am seriously riding a high from all of this decluttering. Admittedly, I'm a person that gets downright itchy when a space is cluttery, but still I think this is the first time I've set a very focused intention on getting rid of ALL that we don't love, need or use. It feels absolutely fantastic. It is liberating; it is like wiping clear a dirty window (yes, I did that too)... it's soul-enriching.
Amazing how much stuff can find it's way into our homes. Amazing how often, when we're *really* honest with ourselves, we're keeping things out of a sense of guilt or obligation. Letting go - - I think there is a huge link between letting go on a physical level and letting go on a mental level. It is healthful to let go, to make room for new, wonderful experiences and lay full trust in the Universe to provide for our highest good.
To quote Karen Kingston, Happy Clutter Clearing!
~K
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
intention
I'm reading (inhaling) a book right now that feels like it came into my life at exactly the right time and without me even seeking it out. It all but jumped from the library shelf into my arms some weeks ago (I'm on my second renewal period...) It's called "The Wisdom of Yoga", written by Stephen Cope - a Yoga teacher from the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in MA. It's beautifully written, an artful combination of inspired real-life stories and information based firmly in the Yoga Sutra tradition. I'm pouring over it carefully, journaling as I go and, yes, sipping coffee. Hey, it works for me! ;)
Last week I read a chapter that detailed one woman's journey of change. In beginning, she formed a clear statement of intention that she wrote in her journal and also placed in visible corners of her home. An important stepping stone, it provided the focus and clarity to ease her transition. At the time, I remember pausing in my reading - trying to envision what my intention is. Insert sound effect of crickets chirping here. Nothing. Nada. I couldn't form even the vaguest idea, even though I know what's "wrong" with me, what's peeving me, how would I frame this in the form of an intention statement? I began to grumble inwardly, then turned my frustration at the book. "Stupid intention statement....". I didn't give any more thought to it.
Until today.
Last week I read a chapter that detailed one woman's journey of change. In beginning, she formed a clear statement of intention that she wrote in her journal and also placed in visible corners of her home. An important stepping stone, it provided the focus and clarity to ease her transition. At the time, I remember pausing in my reading - trying to envision what my intention is. Insert sound effect of crickets chirping here. Nothing. Nada. I couldn't form even the vaguest idea, even though I know what's "wrong" with me, what's peeving me, how would I frame this in the form of an intention statement? I began to grumble inwardly, then turned my frustration at the book. "Stupid intention statement....". I didn't give any more thought to it.
Until today.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
yoga on the beach
My husband shot this video of his cousin and I doing yoga on the beach back in early May. I didn't notice him doing it right away, and kind of laughed it off as a joke, but it's actually quite nice to be able to see myself practice. I was able to see, for instance, that my triangle is looking really good but that I need to extend a bit further into my Warrior poses. Cool to know.
- music by Singh Kaur
- music by Singh Kaur
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