On Being Alone
Thank you, Christine, for sharing this with me. It is so beautiful. It really speaks to all of you out there who say, “I could never meditate because I can’t sit still. My mind keep wondering.” Don’t think of meditation that way. Meditation is purely being alone…
I knew you’d get it.
We really do say so much by saying nothing, within the space of our own selves.
I’m still learning with meditation, but enjoying the ride.
xo
Did you do Deepak’s firs day? I loved it! I love his voice. I don’t think meditation (sit down in the lotus position, back straight, hands in gion mudra, turning your mantra over and over in your mind) is really it for me either. Anymore, its just practicing being ALONE and letting my mind sit still on the moment, taking in all the details, just paying attention. Getting a quiet moment listening to Deepak is an awesome bonus!
Yes! I already feel more in love with myself. I mean, Life.
Multiple, Meditational, Chorgams, on the house!
That’s great, Lina. I really like that. The upside to divorce, I love my solitude esp if I have the opportunity to travel to a big city.
I bet! I love walking around a new city on my own. I got that chance in London once and the subtle feeling of fear (is that the right word?) was actually invigorating!
Charming girl in that video. I am on board for another 21 days w/my man Deepak, too. =) Lord knows I need it lately. Christine, I think we would get along well, btw.
Brief story – I am not as good at balancing it all on a daily basis. I tend to focus hard on one thing for a while, then shift and focus hard on another. Work my brains out all quarter, for example, then go off for these quarterly retreats BY MYSELF in a cabin in the woods at Shantivanam. just 24 hours totally unplugged, but it makes all the difference. My family is totally supportive. (No doubt I am a kinder gentler version of me upon my return). Lina, you would love it there, I promise. On one such journey, I popped in a recording of a talk that Sonja Choquette gave at Unity Temple. Topic was about trusting your intuition, believing that we are all 6 sensory and aligning yourself with the inner voice, etc. I loved it and was intent on using the retreat to reconnect with nature. Sure enough, magical things happened…box turtle coming right up to me as I sat in the sunlight on a bench, monarch butterfly fluttering up and resting on my finger, all kinds of wonderful sightings and sunsets. It felt like I was in a Disney movie =) I journaled til my hand hurt. And yes, it took a bit to get past the anxiety or fear of being alone (especially when you hear the critters at night)…but it’s so worthwhile.
I’ve also heard that a lovely local place to escape for an hour or two during the day is the House of Menuha in KCMO. Have you ever been?
Wow, Jeanne, that is really cool. I have not heard of either, but both sound so life giving. I have always wanted to try a silent retreat. Do you think I could do it? It is kind of like a marathon for me. I have no interest in running a marathon, but keeping my mouth shut for a couple days is my kind of challenge!
So the butterfly is a sign of transformation and the box turtle is a sign of patience. Sounds like you have some really big, cool changes in your future!
Watch the intro and then it takes you to the Archdioses site. Doesn’t really do it justice….a slice of heaven in the woods for me.
http://www.shantivanam.com
Love this…thanks for sharing!
Remind me to tell you a story in spinning about your last post…freaky freaky story!( but good-freaky)! Xoxo S.
I’m ready for it! Better see you Tuesday :)