thoughts on meditation ...

I've realized that I didn't write about my very first brush with meditation while away on retreat with my girlfriend! I'll confess to say that meditation is a very airy fairy concept to me. But gave it a proper go since... why not! And it really helped for a few days. 

Since then, I've downloaded an app as an experiment to continue my meditation practice but used it a bit more as a sleeping aid. Works like a charm though!! 

So i thought maybe I'll write down the take away notes from Enamai because it was really useful at that point in my life! Point to note is Enamai is a retired monk. His beliefs are rooted in Buddhism but in the entire meditation session, religion was never preached or brought up. So you're welcomed to read into the information and apply as you deem fit.

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Happiness

 ONE -  Happiness comes from within you. never from external factors and should never be built on shakey grounds like relationships, material wants or people. never reliable and bound for failure. 

TWO - Happiness should come from a balance of three factors. Body, Social and Mind. All three need to be "fed" on daily basis to be kept in balance. Of the three, mind is the most important and most neglected. So I made more notes on the Mind! 

Set your mind to focus on tasks. The mind is a great servant but terrible master. Each task you set your mind to, do it one at a time with a calm, clean and clear mind. Every task is as important and when you're doing it, you are already THERE. You have achieved it and you have succeeded in that task. That's is. Next day, you wake up and you do the same thing again.

An example of a task is washing dishes. or walking. or helping someone with homework.

Other Tips 

Things that rock the boat are external factors. They don't matter in life. Go back to the issue with a calm, clean and clear mind and solve the problem. Then start the task again with all the information clear and calm. Don't dwell on the circumstances or situation, focus on the task. 

Drink water. Even when you're not thirsty, hydrate frequently. Think of water as an empty truck that helps you clear your systems. 

Meditation before bed - Lie in bed and think of people in your life. Bless them and wish them well with 10 breaths. Start from the ones you love and are closest to you, moving to neautrals, moving to pets, plants, living objects you encounter in your life. Then you get to the ones you don't love. Add an additional level of gratitude to their blessing (because they are risking their lives to expose your weaknesses for you to work on! so actually they're GOOD for you!). and round the day off with gratitude as you drift off to bed. 

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what do you think? doable right? im terrible at meditating at bed. i will come straight out that say that i get as far as blessing about 2.5 people and im out like a light! maybe it says more about me than anything else but hey it works!! 

i'd love to spend more time exploring meditation this year. or heading back to work on more sessions with enamai. i mean, who could say no to another retreat right? :)

xx