Post: #21

DAY 12:

I did the "Discovering Peace Guided Meditation" by Meditation Oasis for 17 minutes when I went to bed. This is my first time listening to this particular podcast, and I think it's going to become one of my favorites. Meditation Oasis' podcasts tend to be repetitive, but once you find one or two that speak to your particular need, it's great to just keep them on hand for the right occassion.

It's funny because my husband was snoring loudly the entire time and here I am trying to discover peace. Instead of getting annoyed, like I usually do, I was laughing on the inside.

Peace!

Post: #22

DAY 13

1.Were you able to complete your meditation practice today? Why/Why not?
-YES!

2.If yes, how did your meditation go?
-smoothly, I've don't this meditation many times, so I'm comfortable with doing it.

What meditation did you do?
-"Love Breath Meditation" guided meditation podcast.

Where did you meditate?
-in bed.

How long did you meditate for?
-30 minutes.

3.Anything you want to share about the meditation itself?
-I am not always in the mood for this meditation. I am glad that there are a variety of different kinds to choose from, because some meditations are more involved than others. This particular one is something that I have always been more comfortable doing at night, but I'm not always in the mood for it.

4.Anything you have learned for yourself today? (whether related or non-related to meditation)
-I definitely can see the difference that meditation has made already. I remember this from before, when I used to do it all the time. You become more aware of when a strong emotion is emergining, and you can watch it, instead of getting caught up in it.

For example, I was driving, and I started to get very angry remembering something that happened many years ago. But I saw it happening right away and just watched myself. I knew that I could let myself imaging all the things I wish I would have said and done, and I could have let myself replay the whole scene in my mind again, but I knew that was a whole waste of time. But I caught myself, acknowledged I was still mad, then asked myself,

"Is this how I really want to spend my time?? Do I want to get myself all upset before arriving at my destination?"

Of course, the answer is NO! So I consciously chose to divert my attention away into different thoughts and more neutral images. This awareness comes from the practice of meditation.

Post: #23

Day 14:

1.Were you able to complete your meditation practice today? Why/Why not?
-YES!

2.If yes, how did your meditation go?
-I did something totally different and new, so it didn't go smoothly, but I still had fun doing it as an experiment.

What meditation did you do?
-I decided on the spur of the moment that while I was having a massage, I would meditate while counting my breaths and concentrate on "nice, slow long breathing" intstead of the sensations of my body.

Where did you meditate?
-On a massage table.

How long did you meditate for?
-Approximately 50 minutes, I counted 270 breaths.

3.Anything you want to share about the meditation itself?
-It was difficult because normally when I am getting a massage, I get lost in how good it feels on my body. So, my body and brain were competing for my attention the whole time.

Thus, I lost track of my count a few times, but I didn't give up. It was really interesting to keep bringing my attention back to my breath while I was feeling so good in my body. This takes very deep focus.

Not all of my breaths were "nice, long, slow and deep," because my masseuse was going very deep and was rough at times, but I took it all as part of the experience.

4.Anything you have learned for yourself today? (whether related or non-related to meditation)
-That in order to cultivate a good habit, I need to mix things up and keep it interesting in order for me to practice it consistently. I am a person who tends to get stuck in a routine, because it gives me a false sense of security. But in reality, it just narrows my choices of life experiences.

Above and beyond that, I have learned to not be such a perfectionist - to enjoy all challenges as an adventure. I learned that the process is more important than the "goal."

This attitude helps me to want to venture out and spread my wings more often. So what if I didn't do my meditation "perfectly?" Oh well, try again tomorrow. The more I accept myself exactly where I am with all my flaws and imperfections, the more fun I have living my life!

Peace!

Post: #24

DAY 15:

I would have to say this is the worst meditation experience I've had so far. Not that anything bad happened, but I was SO distracted and SO wound up, that I could barely concentrate for a 15 minute meditation. I console myself with the thought that, even though I've been crazy busy and feeling lousy, at least I did it - even at the last minute. Like I said in the other forum post, I would like to have a consistent morning meditation instead of realizing it's already bedtime and I haven't done it yet.

Post: #25

DAY 16:

Well, last night didn't go much better than the night before. I had a really hard time concentrating and relaxing into the guided meditations. I don't know why this is so hard for me right now? I am so distracted! I hope tonight is better.

And I've been having totally crazy dreams, so I even wake up feeling confused. UGH.

Post: #26

DAY 17:

I had a curveball thrown to me today with some change of plans, a bad night's sleep, plus some dreary weather. Not that I'm making excuses, but I'm extremely sensitive about all of these things, and I fell asleep without listening to my nightly guided meditations. However, I did meditate during my yoga class, which I normally don't count, but since that's all the time I put into meditating today, I'm counting it for today.

---

DAY 18:

My husband left for a conference at 4:15 in the morning, so I was awake and decided to do a meditation then. So from 4:30-5:00 I sat in the pre-dawn silence and tried to still my mind. However, it was very difficult because there were all kinds of thoughts going on in my head. The best analogy I can think of is some unruly teenagers horsing around in there. One would start singing a song, the other one would jump to another wild thought. I enjoyed the silence, but my mind was going bananas! Then, my left leg fell asleep. I console myself with the fact that at least I tried.

Post: #27

DAY 19:

While my husband is away at a conference, this is a great opportunity to make this time into a mini-meditation and yoga retreat!

Post: #28

DAY 20:

Wow! Only one more day! How fun this has been!

Post: #29

DAY 21

I had this long beautiful response that I posted yesterday, that has since disappeared.
I don't remember everything I said, except that I had fun doing this challenge.

Post: #30

DAY 21 ROUND UP

1.How has the 21DMC journey been for you?
-It had it's ups and downs, but life is just like that. I had good days and bad days. Overall it was an adventure and I'm really glad I got to participate. I enjoyed the "group atomosphere." I loved posting and reading other people's posts. This is the first time I've participated in a "meditation-along." The group dynamic can really make or break a project like this. I love that everyone was so supportive of each other. I love the positive atmosphere! It's very uplifting!

2.What was your perception of meditation in the past, before 21DMC?
-Normally, meditation is a completely solitary activity for me, like when I go jogging. But I think the group thing really added a richness to the experience. Plus I think this was a great group!

What is your perception of meditation now? Has it changed? If so, how?
-My perception hasn't changed as far as my deep belief in the positive physical and emotional health benefits. I know this from experience. And I really know it when I stop meditating for awhile and I feel out of whack. What has changed is my skepticism that this experiement could work out well over the Internet; it has now been dispelled. And that has a lot to do with our awesome moderator, Celes.

3.Is there anything you have learned about yourself through your meditations? If so, what?
-Mostly that my emotions are just as strong, and my opinions just as deep, and that the point is not to get rid of emotions, or not feel them. Quite the opposite. You can feel very strongly and learn to just acknowledge and let the feeling pass. The more time I spend practicing stilling my mind, the easier it gets to NOT let those strong emotions and judgments rule my behavior. And it gets easier to watch them when they come up and my awareness of my whole emotional life has gone from black and white to Technicolor!

Consistency is really important. It's like exercising a muscle, you have to do it everyday in order to keep it toned. But you don't have to crank it out and meditate 5 hours a day in order to get the benefits. Even just 5-10 minutes will do. And you (I) can always find 5-10 minutes during the day, or night, just to stop and get in touch with the breath. And if you (I) can't find 5 minutes to be still, then we have much bigger problems and need a lifestyle overhaul right away! See this article for a better explanation of the detriment of being too busy:

http://zenhabits.net/silly-busy/#more-8613

4.Would you like to continue practicing meditation moving forward?
-Yes, most definitely!

5.If so, what are you going to do to ensure that you cultivate it as a life-long habit?
-Accountability is key! If I can find a forum, or a partner, or a group, it will be easier to be consistent in my meditation practice. The second important part is that it has to be fun. I looked forward to meditating not only for how it made me feel, but I also got to share, and I looked forward to reading other people's posts, too.

Peace!

Post: #31

Thank you for being in our group! I also have enjoyed the accountability and the sharing, and know it is a great part of my successful practice. KEEP ON MEDITATING!!!

Peace,
Ann