Meditation Two: Addendum

The following are excerpts from text found on the website of Common Ground Meditation Center in Minneapolis, providing insight into Mindfulness Practice;

"Mindfulness is the practice of opening to and accepting life just as it is, whether we are practicing sitting meditation or cooking dinner. To begin we make the necessary effort to calm the mind and heart."

"This capacity to be present over time becomes a great friend."

That last one; what a way to say it. I want to repeat this to myself several times, every day!

Meditation Two

It appears that I have had a recent post about meditation. So it goes again, this time just with some observations;

The most keen thing I noticed today was how a sound within the scope of my attention could drive away a rouge thought. Most frequently, the sound was a truck. The meditation center where I practice is located on a relatively busy street in South Minneapolis, so there is quite a bit of auto traffic, even at 7:15 in the morning. I noticed several times my feeling that the truck sound that caught my attention took away with it a thought it did not want to have. I have been trying to focus in on listening to the sounds around me and feeling and listening to my breath in accordance with those sounds. That is precisely why it seemed so magical today when, three distinct times, I felt those trucks drive off with my extraneous thoughts.

It just feels really powerful to be in that much control of my mind, in such a calm way. 

Irvine

Yowza. I’m not sure that I am ready yet to write about this trip, but I have made several attempts and think this one will bear something. I feel funny putting this all down in writing because I feel like I have already discussed it at length with a number of people. However, it does still help me to get it down in the word. So here goes.

I really feel like this trip could not have gone any better than it did. That said, with a feeling of severe confidence, I hope I do not set myself up to bee TOO expectant (this is mostly in relation to financial aid). I just do not want to build myself up to the point that I will not be happy with what is offered if it is not full support. Now, all that can be done is wait for that letter.

I guess that is all for now. More to come :)

Meditation

I went again this morning.

I can see this being something that I'd really like to pursue. I am sure that a large part of it is that it is very difficult for me. It baffles me how something so truly simple can be so difficult. This is surely evidence that we pile far too many things into our minds. If we are not constantly juggling several thoughts at once, its as though we are not doing anything. Or is this just me? Should I be saying we? I think probably.

Another thing that baffles me is how much easier it becomes to meditate when in a space with several other people who are doing the same or similar. I guess this falls in line with the observation I have made of myself in reasons for enjoying dance class; feeling the energy of others is an extra motivator, something that holds us accountable in our pursuits.

I was explaining to Adrienne yesterday morning that I have historically had trouble with practicing anything on my own; yoga, meditation, even stretching. In going to Common Ground, I have discovered that maybe it isn't that I cannot do any of this on my own, but that the space in which I do it matters. Home is a place of storage, preparation, and yes, sometimes relaxation. Though I am thinking that relaxation and meditation or yoga practice are not nearly the same thing.

When I pause on my own at home to practice something like this, I almost feel as though I am marking time or not really doing much of anything. This may be due to the fact that home has many options for distraction, and I am not far enough along in being consciously mindful enough to let these distracts float out of my mindframe. Therein, for me, it seems that a space to go to is key in these practices. Somehow, when I leave home and go to a designated space, an activity becomes more real. I sometimes think this perception of mine ridiculous, but I suppose it is what it is, and if it is working for me, it's working!

That said, I am grateful to have found a space that feels welcoming and warm and is affordable. I am looking forward to continuing my visits. I am invigorated by this challenging yet simply activity; to be mindful.

Trust That You Are Exactly Where You Are Meant to Be.

I think that is what I did when I went to chase the sun this morning. I saw the reflection of the pink clouds on the windows in the building next door, and the next thing I knew, I was grabbing my coat. I also laid in bed for a half hour this morning before getting up, because that is what my body felt like doing. Granted, I mentally gave myself shit the whole time, but yet, I laid there still. Part of me agrees with the shit-giving, and another part of me is impressed that I managed that stillness.

It truly can be gratifying to trust your gut. Good thing my gut does not want to drink beer and play video games all day!

New Year's Resolutions 2012

2011.

The course of this year saw the repetition of many ideas and words. They seemed to come out into two major categories;

Trust in my choices; Stability, Focus, Belief.

Trust in who I am; Value, Fullness, Contentment. Therein...

Trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Keepin' it simple, smarty. We will see how this works :)

Erinn

Personality Traits of People with Creative Flow

Hm...doesn't everyone and their mom think that they are creative?

Ok, well let me re-phrase; doesn't anyone with any spec of self-esteem think they are creative? I think the answer must be yes, and I am not sure if I think that is good or bad thing.

I read an interesting blog this morning from Entrepreneur the Arts (http://blog.entrepreneurthearts.com/2011/11/07/creative-productivity-the-creative-theorists-part-3-csikszentmihalyi/). It addressed Csikzentmihalyi's theory of 'flow' as the creative channel between boredom and anxiety, skill and challenge; his way of describing the onset of the creative process. Very interesting stuff. Along with defining this 'flow,' he describes the characteristics of people that tend to possess the ability to flow. Said traits;

Creative people have a great deal of physical energy, but they’re also often quiet and at rest.
Creative people tend to be smart yet naive at the same time.
Creative people combine playfulness and discipline, or responsibility and irresponsibility.
Creative people alternate between imagination and fantasy, and a rooted sense of reality.
Creative people trend to be both extroverted and introverted.
Creative people are humble and proud at the same time.
Creative people, to an extent, escape rigid gender role stereotyping.
Creative people are both rebellious and conservative.
Most creative people are very passionate about their work, yet they can be extremely objective about it as well.
Creative people’s openness and sensitivity often exposes them to suffering and pain, yet also to a great deal of enjoyment.

I first read these, I thought 'WOAH! I just read a portion of my horoscope!' And yes, I do believe in astrology. Then I heard Kris' voice of reason come into my head, saying something to the affect of 'You can make anything you read fit to yourself if you want to.' It is an interesting thing to consider. Did I apply all these characteristics to myself because I want to BELIEVE I possess them, i.e. that I am creative, or do I actually exhibit these qualities?

Basically, what I am getting at is a larger psychological question, one that seems to come up in a number of ways every day for me. And I do not think I am alone. In the midst of all these thought-processes about ideals and tendencies according to generation, I think this must be shared by my generation of peers that were raised to think we could do whatever we want, be whatever we want, accomplish anything. Yes, there are great things about thinking this way. There are also absolutely debilitating things about thinking this way too. I am coming to feel I had better unveil the source of this injection of thought; http://nymag.com/news/features/my-generation-2011-10/.

Pretty freaking interesting to consider. How right are we about ourselves? At any given point, are we on to something, or just falling into the trap of being able to cast ourselves in whatever light we wish?

Something to consider.