emmacat's Forum Posts

For me group meditation is generally helpful, although it can go either way. Usually, I'm more focused because there is a sense of a shared purpose, but sometimes the excitement is a distraction. There can be a lot of contrasting energy in the same room, but it usually feels like I have a support system. Particularly, attending the same group on a regular basis is inspirational. 
In the case of participating in specific meditation program, it reminds me of why I'm on this path and gives me motivation to keep practicing.
I recently went on a four week group retreat and it was very powerful. Especially in the second half of the retreat it felt like we were synchronized into a communal energy. 

I see we can edit our posts but we still can't delete them. I'll take that as progress.
I would love to see a general message board where people can communicate informally about a wider range of topics rather than something specific as it is in the groups. I guess I could create a group with a 'anything goes' thread (and I realize we can share random thoughts by making a journal entry public), but it would be cool if it could be a permanent fixture on the homepage.
I think it would help create a sense of community (for example, I would be inclined to leave messages like 'Good morning. May you all enjoy the inspiration to practice today'). 

I don't worship the sacred image (it's more of a reminder of our innate enlightened nature, not some kind of saint) so I acknowledge the space as a whole. it is a way to be honest with myself and to keep track of my patterns (when I usually sit, when I don't, why I don't and so on).
Sometimes it works as a little 'trick': once I'm facing my cushion, I might  change my mind and sit, even if for 10 minutes instead of the 30 I regularly sit, which is better than nothing. Other times the acknowledgement gives me the thrust to plan my next session better and make sure I don't skip it. And then there are times when I just feel plain silly about having an intimate relationship with an inanimate object. Whatever comes up, it's a way to get in touch with my practice. 

A corner of my bedroom is designated for practicing. The main object is, rather obviously, my mat and cushions. Other objects are a framed sacred image with candles and incense that help create the environment for meditation. The main aspect of this space is that it's stable, I don't have to set it up every time I sit which helps keep a regular practice. When I skip a meditation session, I can go over to that space and take a moment to acknowledge the fact that I'm skipping that session. It's a way to connect to my practice and bring it into my life in a concrete way.

"The breath, as we gradually discover, is a whole world. It is easily worth a lifetime of study." Larry Rosenberg, Breath by Breath

Hmmm... that's an interesting distinction. I can relate to that, when I have a pleasant meditation session I think: 'I wanna do it more' but I end up sticking to my planned times or even skipping it altogether the very next day. I think its because I can't really count on the next session being as good, but I know I'm going to like the next episode of my favorite show. 

By the lack of replies to this post, I'm guessing I'm not the only one who found this question uncomfortable to ponder. The first thing that comes up is, rather predictably, I don't have enough time to sit as much as I would want to. But that's an excuse, not a reason. I used to have conversations in my head to justify not meditating, lately I don't even try. When I lie to myself, it kind of defeats the purpose of having a practice in the first place. The truth is, sometimes Idon't have the courage to connect with what's going on in my mind and heart. There are days when Im going through something painful I just can't sit before I go to work because I need to be functioning. I've been meditating for almost a year and I still have bouts of escapism. The thing with meditation is that it leaves me with no place to hide and sometimes I don't have the strength to stay with my feelings. 

Also: "Sit. Stay. Heal." (Pema Chodron)

I vividly remember doing a 180 on a coworker I was having issues with. The very thought of this person made me nauseated, we were always snapping at each other and it was just unsustainable. Then after I had been practicing for a while (and reading a lot), one day I said hi to her in the morning, smiling. I didn't even realize I was smiling at her until I saw her puzzled look. I just started seeing her as a person and not as that person who got on my nerves. I started wondering about her life, her past, her struggles and realized she was just like me, basically. Still annoying on the job, but I looked at her actions and thought: "she's just trying to do good for herself". She's confused, not evil. And I really thought that, in a non condescending way, I felt for her and I was absolutely shocked. I started looking at people's potential instead of their shortcomings. I'm always amazed at  how meditating gives me the space to empathize with people. 

Don't take it too seriously, don't conceptualize and don't dismiss it without having tried for a reasonable amount of time. 

That is very true, what comes up on the cushion is a reflection of how we go about our day. Meditation itself doesn't make you feel better, but it provides the space to get in touch with ourselves, to see where we're at. Sometimes we get so caught up in the pettiness of daily life that we don't allow any room for virtue. Thanks for reminding me to work on that 

I had a pretty 'bad' session today, just feeling like I wasn't doing It right or wasn't putting effort into it, probably just because I wasn't feeling good about how I conducted myself during the day. Your comment made me look at my day in a different light, realizing all the times where I was about to snap and instead I just took a breath, left a gap and dropped it. I still could have been better, but I also could have been worse, so all in all I guess I forgot to be gentle with myself to be kind to others. I'm feeling grateful now, so thanks.

I didn't even know we had a google group! You should it, it's your website after all ;-)