Above all, don't wobble

Day Twenty-seven

How many books have been written on the subject of meditation? How many teachers are there?  Common threads ask us to clear the mind and be still. Some of the most hilarious commentary I've ever read on the practice can be found in the middle section of Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat Pray Love. I didn't much care for the Italy or Indonesia sections, but I loved reading about her experience in India, especially her inner dialogue during meditation. She cracked me up!

In the type of meditation I do I focus primarily maintaining the postures themselves, keeping myself upright and not on clearing the mind. I sit with intention of quietening my mind, but not with the expectation that I can stop all thoughts. When I sit upright with my "spirits" lifted the thoughts do slow down and the volume decreases to the level of white noise. One of my tai chi friends offered his own helpful hint "Sit. Just sit and above all, don't wobble".

One reason to practice tai chi or yoga is to prepare the body for the strenuous practice of meditation. If you've ever tried to sit for more than an hour, you'll know what I'm talking about. The body needs preparation over time. How else can I maintain the posture of a straight spine?

Over the years I've practice irregularly, but there was one spiritual experience, when I experienced a  complete loss of self. It started with my ass becoming the floor. Next thing I knew my bottom half was being drawn, pulled straight down to the center of the earth. Simultaneously, from the top of my head, I was extended out among the stars. I felts all earth's oceans as my tears. I was everything and nothing all at once. I realized my insignificance and importance. I'm certain this experience lasted only a few seconds, but that's all I need. Since that time I know, in my deep knowing place, that everything will be okay. No matter what happens, it will be okay.

Intentions check-in: The dailies are just that, daily. I'm really enjoying reading each evening. I have a few books going, with plenty of choice depending on my mood and ability to comprehend. That Used to be Us, Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum, The Tao of Pooh Benjamin Hoff, Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations, Harrison Coever and Mary Byers, Constructive Living David K. Reynolds, The Sun magazine, and Associations Now, my trade magazine. On the food awareness I ate well throughout the day yesterday and ended with candy last night. I think there's some entitlement thinking going on. "I did so well I deserve..." Maybe I need more trashy fiction.