Meditation Night

A while back, I wrote a blog detailing my vision of my intended Spiritual Center. I described in detail what I wanted it to look like and what would be happening there. I had a moment Monday night where I realized I was living my vision. Meditation Night is a special indulgence of mine. I have wanted to form a meditation group for a long time. Trouble is/was, it is an extremely unpopular idea. Meditating is hard. Most people try it and think they can't do it or that they are not doing it right and they give up. We think that if we can't make our minds go blank that we are not meditating. I wrote on my website:

"How many times have you heard how important, even life changing, learning to meditate can be? But every time you try that crazy ole' monkey mind takes over and you find yourself skipping happily after it? Be kind to yourself. It's a process. One that take practice. That's why Buddhist Monks take years and years to reach a level where there have been actual documented brain wave changes that occur when they meditate. They didn't get there from a 5 minute relaxation after a yoga class. Or a 2 minute (if that) silent confession time in church.

They practiced. Together. Being guided, being silent, chanting....together. Practice. It cannot make us perfect, but it can bring us peace. Let's gather, once a month, and devote a couple hours to learning this ancient gift. I think you may be surprised at how quickly that monkey will move on down the road. Even if it's just for a moment."

Much to my delight, I had some takers. And it was WONDERFUL!!! We discussed why we wanted to meditate....and why we don't do it....what we were afraid of....and what we have experienced. We chanted, we learned to focus on a flame, I led them through a chakra meditation and we were silent. Afterwards, we drank tea and we bonded. On a deep level. I barely knew each of them and they had never met but there is power in group meditation. The most meaningful thing to me? One of the ladies shared a deep part of her soul and the lady closest to her looked her deep in the eyes and affirmed her and blessed her. We felt safe. We each had a different experience and learned that there is NO right way to meditate. We will practice. And we will continue to gather. Together.

It was amazing. Can't wait for the next 2 events this weekend. Card Building is always just a rockin' good time and I have high hopes for the Spirit Center Open Door. It's like a party with meaning....

Can I say again? My cup runneth over.....

The Witness

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" The Witness"

Out beyond all ideas of right doing

and wrong doing,

there is a field.

I'll meet you there. ~ Rumi

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I updated my Witness card. I find the idea of the Witness to be extremely intriguing. In my yoga classes I introduce this concept quite frequently. It's a tough concept to grasp because of course, the moment you grasp it, it's gone. It's one of those things that makes others think you're nuts when you start talking about it. "Witness, what the heck? I am Me, there's no witness!"

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"Then who's the One watching the breath?"

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When we use the Witness in SoulCollage it's very powerful. At the facilitator's training we each got a chance to be the four corners of facilitating; Witness, Reader, Facilitator, Scribe. While each part was fascinating, I found Witness to be the most powerful. Watching the process without forming opinions, judgements or feeling any need to interact or "perform" was amazing. When the reading was over, the insights the Witness had were so telling that sometimes just a single word from them put the whole reading in perspective.

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There is comfort to be found in witnessing and in being witnessed. Sort of like the ancestor's memories, keeping watch, being able to pass on. Words like unbiased, accepting, not trying to change anything, experiencing, come to mind. How many times do you experience something without trying to change it? Or label it? Have you ever looked at a tree without categorizing or naming it? What about an animal? Or a person?

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This is a powerful meditation. Try it. Allow yourself to witness a tree without naming it. Staying with it and watching without trying to change that moment by going to the past or future. What is the tree in this moment? What are you in this moment? Silently witnessing. The breath comes in. The breath comes out. No need to analyze. It will do it of it's own accord. Most things will if we just allow it.

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Relax. Breathe. Feel. Allow. Watch (Witness).

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from Stephen Cope's Wisdom of Yoga

and Yolinna's Yoga Wall