Monday Meditations – I do not…

To meditate:

I do not have to sit in the lotus position or even crossed legged.

I do not even have to sit on the floor. I can sit anywhere I like so long as I am sitting upright and well supported. Actually that’s not even true I can lie on the bed if I need to.

I do not need to wear special clothes, probably something comfy makes sense, but no flowing robes required.

I do not need to put my fingers in a mudra, index finger to thumb.

I do not have to still my mind, quieten my mind or empty my mind.

I do not have to learn a mantra.

I do not have to chant.

I do not have to learn some complex breathing technique.

I do not have to go to classes.

I do not need to be Bhuddist, Hindu, a monk or nun, or even religious at all.

I do not have to get it “right”.

I don’t have to get up at dawn to do it.

I don’t have to do it at exactly the same time everyday, though that is suggested.

I don’t have to do it all on my own either.

I don’t need an altar.

I do not have to sit there for hours.

and I don’t need to change or become someone else.

Some may disagree with me and think all these things are super important and perhaps they are to them and that’s fine, but I think we can become hung up on what we “should” be doing and miss out on the actual experience itself.

My path so far, has shown me that when I get tied up in all the have to, must do, need to do’s and believe there’s some particular way to meditate, then it begins to feel like too much, it becomes something that I’ll get round to, some other time.

I think it’s more important to get started, to give it a go, and to keep it simple as my Monday Meditation posts will explain.

Starting next Monday 10th October 2011 I will suggest some simple techniques to help you get started on your mediation path.

6 Responses to “Monday Meditations – I do not…”

1. Flo Scott says:

   03/10/2011 at 4:19 pm

   I agree! When I release the need for any particular ‘discipline’ and just play a game with myself instead (“for the next ten minutes all I am going to do is notice my breath”)I notice a heart based ‘deepening’ sensation that is not caught up with ‘mind’ and what it thinks I ‘should’ be doing. This is the state of consciousness in which I have my most amazing spiritual awakenings!
   Much love to you Mairi, and thank you so much for sharing your journey!
   Flo

   Reply
   • mstonesadmin says:

     07/10/2011 at 7:01 am

     I couldn’t agree more Flo, it’s that relief from thinking that opens a little chink enough to allow something greater to appear, shine it’s light or whatever, that\s a whole other discussion I think! XX

     Reply
2. Seana Smith says:

   09/10/2011 at 2:21 am

   Hi Mairi, I’ll enjoy reading your pieces on meditation, as I don’t meditate formally at all but try to bring a meditative approach to life… sometimes!

   Reply
   • mstonesadmin says:

     12/10/2011 at 8:02 am

     Seana, you might like the Monday meditations which started this week which are to help start something a little more formal, and in a simple and easy way.

     Reply
3. Seana Smith says:

   09/10/2011 at 2:21 am

   PS I love your groovy sharing bar that has popped up on the right there… is it a plug-in?

   Reply
   • mstonesadmin says:

     12/10/2011 at 8:01 am

     Thanks Seana, it is a plugin, and one that caused a few probs or rather I think communicating with facebook did, but seems to be sorted now. It’s called Slick Social Share.

     Reply