After the hurly burly wing wham chaotic fun of DPCON12, the following day, I attended a one day meditation course. Nuts, huh ?
Arriving at the venue 45 minutes early, I sat at the balcony, overlooking one of Australia’s iconic beach views and tried to think about what I was planning to get out of all of this. Or at the least, switch into “right frame of mind”. Whatever that meant.
But the view was breathtaking and the weather was superb. I became distracted. Being more enticed to taking photos, Instagramming and tweeting (Great start to finding inner-peace, Grace), I rummaged through my hand-bag to find my phone. Amongst the jungle of mess and used tissues, I came across a blasted parking ticket I thought I had actually lost a couple of weeks ago.
In the middle of the shopping mall, I had searched everywhere for that stupid tiny piece of paper, tipping my bag upside down, inside out to no avail. Begrudgingly, I coughed up the $50 fine. The rest of that day, my mind festered on my stupidity. There’s nothing worse than paying a hefty penalty for what could have easily been avoided.
Weeks later…there it was. Tucked quietly in one of the pages of my diary. All that tension resurfaced again. Damn. Perfect timing for someone who was about to go on a search for enlightenment and inner peace.
Taking my seat near the front, there was the sudden urge to hone in. Really engage myself.
A Buddhist nun took her seat at the podium. Delicately posed, one hand over the other neatly on her lap, her voice was just as gentle as her demeanour.
It’s hard to explain in detail what she actually spoke about. Only to say there was a natural, casual flow and it made perfect sense. The entire day was devoted to working through that burning question of how to obtain true happiness. (Ah, gotta get me some of that).
Quietly and gently, this lady reminded us that while we look for it in all the wrong places – money, career, big house, fancy car, perfect car – happiness actually derives from inner peace. Which in turn, comes from a sense of mindfulness and stillness in your mind.
Wow. Okay.
Meditation is the tool for us to obtain that.
Mmmmm…Keep talkin’…
Listening to this lady, watching her constantly polite, courteous smile, she was there to help me connect the dots.
From where I am today to where I really want to be. Or more specifically, the potential to where I can be.
Isn’t that a little too “out there” ?
Thing is, this mind is restless. It habitually wanders over to everyday worries and woes. It’s become a place for pent up anger and angst. It spends a lot of precious time being stuck on tiny hair pin, meaningless problems. A misplaced parking ticket proved that.
Throughout the day, we had 6 meditation sessions with each lasting 15 minutes. An hour and a half of sitting still. That’s a lot of sitting still.
But boy, surprisingly there was a lot of spring cleaning to do in my head. And if there is a solution that can help me clear out the emotional junk and the mental clutter, to leave some space for clarity…why not ? I say.
Leaving the course, there was my personal commitment to meditate every morning for 10 minutes. Shamefully, a few mornings have been skipped since, but I keep trying to get back on that bike. There’s hope that it will eventually become second nature to me.
I must be quite excited by what I’ve learnt so far. Back at home as I summed up my day to him, Mr Surfer even asked if I was thinking about becoming Buddhist.
Nah, not for me. But I can see some relevance to keep finding out more.
I’m booked in for another course in 2 weeks.
Hopefully this time, I won’t be giving two hoots about some tiny ticket.
kirri says
Isn’t it interesting how we can attach so much emotional significance to the same thing more than once and sometimes over and over again? I’m referring to your lost ticket …something that would be frustrating to almost everyone, dealt with and then weeks later you can get frustrated all over again about something that is done and dusted.
The way this ties in to your meditation journey and the practice of mindfulness and attachment, (which you have recorded so beautifully here), just speaks to me. I wanted to be there listening to that nun and sharing in that very experience with you badly!!
I guess I can be content with continuing on our personal journeys, both individually and in our group! Thanks for the truly inspiring boost Grace!
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mamagrace71 says
It was uncanny when she started speaking about attachment early on during the course. It all started to fall into place after that.
But I’m really excited about doing this. Even more so that I have your support and that of our meditation group 🙂
Bridget says
I’ve never been able to meditate. Maybe I should give it another shot some time;)
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mamagrace71 says
I still can’t do it. It’s gonna take me some time. Try it though. You never never know, until you give it a red hot go (Well, that’s what us Aussies say :))
Wendy says
Any time for stopping and taking stock, having quiet moments of contemplation are worthwhile. We don’t really allow ourselves to do this often enough. And those that do have the time, do too much inner searching, leading to self-berating. It’s hard for people to find the happy medium. So glad this worked out right for you. 🙂
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mamagrace71 says
Yes, it’s a fine line between contemplating and actually doing, isn’t it ? Finding that happy medium is definitely key ! 🙂
Lee says
Sounds like a great day Grace. I so wish that I was still living in Melbourne and able to access courses like that. I feel like I need to keep doing things like that to keep things fresh in my mind. I am a Buddhist, though I jokingly say a non-practicing Buddhist. Its what I most align my spirituality with anyway. There is no temple of anything like that down this way!
I love the loving kindness mediation. I found it very useful over the years.
I really recommend The Art of Happiness as a basic intro to the psychology of Buddhism.
I look forward to following you in this journey. xx
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mamagrace71 says
I loved “The Art of Happiness” !!! I read it during a particularly tough time and although I wouldn’t say it changed my life around, it definitely started my interest in meditation and looking at life differently.
You know, when I did the course, they gave out pamphlets about a lot of other retreats and classes in other states. Have a look here: https://meditateinmelbourne.org/ Maybe there’s something near your way ?
I really do love a lot of what the Buddhist teachings have to say. I am far from knowing or understanding it well but just as I was telling my husband – if only I had been this interested about my own Christian religion, I wouldn’t feel the need to go on this “search”. But it’s like I’m just going to take the best bits out of all these different beliefs and seek happiness that way. Does that make sense ?
Look forward to taking part in Kirri’s meditation group with you. I feel I’m in good company xxx
Denyse Whelan.Education Specialist says
That is so me too! And I have always wanted to do more of the slowing down of the brain’s thoughts. My closest way for now is when I look through the viewfinder of the camera. I am at one. In the only moment there is. Now. Looking forward to reading more of this venture G! Xx
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mamagrace71 says
That’s completely it, D ! No time like the present 😉 Let’s see how it all goes x
Deb @ Bright & Precious says
Wow Grace. I can only imagine what kind of inner voices have been speaking to you in your head in recent days. It doesn’t sound ‘out there’… its sounds just like what you need – what we all need! you have reminded of how important siillness is. Please write more about your adventures in obtaining happiness.
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mamagrace71 says
It’s only been a couple of weeks but I’ve already started to see a difference in my temperament since I’ve started to stop and sit still. A little more patient, a little less frustrated with the small things. I have a long way yet to go but this is the beauty of it…I have the potential to take this wherever I want to xxx
Jean says
You want to combine fitness with meditation, then try to find a good yoga teacher who incorporates 5-10 min. of this in a 1 hr. yoga session. I did pick up some simple useful relaxation exercises that combines meditation. It tends to more focus on better breathing activities and emptying the brain of stress.
I’m sure you will pick up some tips that will help in the long run. Meditation is also supported by professional counsellors as a supplemental activity towards self-healing, etc.
mamagrace71 says
Yes, it’s like modern world is seeing the benefits of meditation and breathing exercises and incorporating it into our lives. I’m learning lots so far.
ava says
Way to go Grace-ie! I look forward to your posts about this new project! 🙂
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