Unusually warm for early April, the ceiling fans whirred in slow motion, unable to break the stuffiness of the room.
Looking around, noone seemed to mind.
Think of our minds as a crazy, wild elephant, she explained. Running lose, distracted by all that surrounds it. Never in one spot long enough, it’s too busy charging through to the next place,
Yet, there is the opportunity for our mind to sit still. To stay in one spot. To live for that particular moment.
Meditation is the rope of mindfulness, pulling in our busy minds. Trying us to get back to the stake of virtue. Returning to a place of inner peace.
If there was persuasion in her voice, it was so gentle, it could only be used to inspired us.
We were soon all to eager to begin the task at hand.
People took positions on cushions at the front, sitting crosslegged. Others remained in their chairs, with backs straight. Eyes slightly closed, hands neatly placed on laps, with the right palm lying on top of the left, tips of thumbs ever so slightly touching, forming the shape of a small circle.
One hand represents wisdom, the other compassion, we were told.
Breathing in, breathing out. Feeling the cool air enter our nostrils. Chests slightly rising and falling in its restful, natural pace.
The buzz of the streets and beach crowds outside slowly faded into the background.
Silence blanketed over the room. Despite it being full of strangers, there was a sense of comfort. After all, we were all trying to achieve a common goal.
Just as a slight jolt of random thoughts entered my head, there was her voice, quietly reminding me to return. To find my rope and pull myself back in.
And then, there it was. Only to explain it as a vacuum. Of completely dark nothingness. But far from depressing or confining. I wanted to sink in deeper. Search down to the very bottom. There seems to be so much there to explore.
And that’s the beauty of it all. There is no end. A state of mindfulness is infinite.
We all have the potential to make it ours.
Making meditation a part of daily life wasn’t easily adapted. There were many setbacks trying to squeeze something else into an already hectic schedule. You know the story. The little precious spare time we have seems to always sink into the humdrum of motherhood – without a spare thought to consciously make it for ourselves. But there became an obvious difference to the days when I stayed committed to when I didn’t.
Realising its positives: a newly found sense of calm, overriding the anxiety; the ability to snap out of negativity and into perspective; the extra mental space to draw in some drops of happiness rather than habitually droop to sadness; why wouldn’t I continue ?
That rope is there to reel in a better version of me. It’s there reminding me that the possibilities in finding who that actually is, are endless.
And that’s what keeps this unruly, restless elephant returning again and again.
You could say “Meditation is the rope of mindfulness”. You could also say mindfulness is a rope to meditation π
You’re quite a story teller Gracie x
kirri recently posted..Rockinβ Mamma Interview with Nicole Avery
Hey ! I never thought of it that way, but yes ! Definitely, yes !!! π
I agree with Kirri. Your story telling is excellent. I was hooked on your words and picturing it all. You’ve made me realise, since I work with my headphones on a lot of the time, there is nothing stopping me from taking a minute or two to listen to a short meditation exhortation when I’m starting to lose the plot and calm myself, even at my desk. I will keep that in mind for when I have to face that red staircase again this week.
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..βIβm not racist, butβ¦..β β Nature or Nurture?
Headphones would definitely be a HUGE help in the office ! Try it, you never know. It might even make coming to work and climbing that red staircase a little more enjoyable. Do all that you can to make the place as comfortable as possible for you, I say.
It’s so much easier when you’ve made the time, joined a class and there is someone there to guide you isn’t it? Good on you for staying committed… I’ve been very slack. In fact, my meditation efforts in the last week have been non-existent.
Tat recently posted..Grateful for colours
I’m still a little shaky on keeping that “state of mindfulness” but her voice still comes back to me during those moments.
I need to set a particular time in the day to meditate – at the moment it’s sporadic. I think setting a routine will help.
As we all know, life just gets busy, Tat. You’ll get back to it soon enough.
Lovely description. I’ve never wanted to try it before…but maybe now I will.
Bridget recently posted..Just The Facts
Simple. Lock yourself in your bedroom for 5 minutes. Close eyes and breathe. You’ll be surprised what you’ll be able to deal with once you walk back out there π
I so love the picture that you painted, it was like I was there with you. I would love to be able to sink into that state and explore.
Nat – Muddy Farmwife recently posted..Make Hay While The Sun Shines
Oh Grace, how I wish you were closer!
You totally took me into the room with you and then into the space that is mindfulness!
What a lovely place it is. xx
Lee @ Mummy Issues recently posted..Easy rice cooker risotto
Hi Grace, Excellent post ….meditate, something I need to do more often to clear my mind.
I need a little meditation in the hammock !
How lovely to be passed the FYBF torch x
Trish recently posted..Thankful for running and Team World Vision
Ooooh, to have the space for a hammock ! I wish ! Thanks, Trish! I have big shoes to fill. HUGE! But I’m up for the challenge π
One of my greatest teachers was a Zen master.. and this post reminded me so much of him. Thanks for sharing π
Ai Sakura recently posted..Make Every Life Moment Shine β γγ©γγ© β
Thank you for this post. You have given me yet another reminder that I need to meditate more often. π
Popping over from FYBF.
Cassandra recently posted..Sunday Selections- New Chapter Edition
I loved reading this, Grace! It was so relaxing… in fact I’m going to come back and read this again whenever I need to relax. Your course sounds so good. I would love to chat to you more about this one day. x
Deb @ Bright & Precious recently posted..Be Alive
There has been a great cause this month called Mindful in May. The program sends you a daily guided audio meditation. They have all been very interesting and help re-connect with the present.
Dan recently posted..Mindfulness, sex and the brain