One of my favorite aspects of opening Calm and Sense is having the opportunity to talk to people about what helps them to reduce stress. Being a big “touch” person, I am quick to recommend massage, yoga and other body work because I know first-hand its power to reduce stress. Many people also find meditation effective but I haven’t been as likely to recommend it because, well quite honestly I don’t practice it and the one time I tried, all I accomplished was a comprehensive grocery list in my head!!
So when I recently met Pat Donohue who has a massage practice here in Raleigh and she offered to have me try a meditation class, I figured “why not”. So this morning, when the temperature hovered barely above freezing, I went to her charming house with the sun flooding into the windows, settled into a comfy chair and gave it a whirl. Twenty minutes. Surely I could still my mind and focus for 20 minutes (and not just mentally reorganize my closet).
She started with a reading to center us, some suggestions on how to still the mind and then set her clock. This time, instead of allowing my mind to go into its usual Type A mode, I sought imagery of something that relaxes me.
I found myself back on the beach, one of my favorite places from my time in California. I allowed the memory to take over: hot sun relaxing my shoulders, all fingers and toes digging in to the powdery soft sand, sugar-like from the relentless beating of the tides. The sparkling of the sun on the blue, blue water far out to the horizon. The water turning green closer to me, finally transitioning into brown as the waves reach the shore and invite the sand to join in the churn and cycle. The cries of the seagulls, always hungry, together with the shrieks of the children as they rush to meet the waves and discover the Pacific Ocean isn’t as warm as they imagine. The tang of salt in the air, mixed with the coconut and pineapple scented lotion of the sun worshipers around me. And the taste of salt as the sweat inevitably forms on my brow and trickles down the wrinkles etched in my forehead (frown lines?) and onto my lips. Meditation as a total sensory experience.
Ding went the timer, twenty minutes was up, and I am hooked.
2 Comments
Just stumbled on your website this morning while searching for blogs on meditation. I will have a good look over it. Meanwhile, congrats on your pleasant meditation experience and wish you many more. While meditation is often recommended as a way to de-stress and relax, it’s ultimate purpose is quieting the mind and raising one’s level of awareness. Ironically this can often lead you to some critical self examination which may not exactly be relaxing. :)
Chris, thanks for the feedback about meditation. Being a novice, I am curious about where it will lead, and I will keep your observation in mind. It sounds like you have been practicing this technique for a while and we would love to hear more suggestions, input, etc if you feel like sharing.