Meditation anyone? 30 minutes a day for 8 weeks... you in?

I just came back from a short walk in a slight drizzle of rain. Now I a procrastinating again. lol. I thought it would restore some energy that got used up dealing with finance stuff. The fresh air picked me up a bit but I still feel a bit dragging. Or maybe I am just trying to justify my staling.

While posting during commercials I am watching America's Funniest. It always gives me a lot of laughs. My son and I often watch it together and have a howling good time. We laugh so hard we cry. This maybe the only time I appreciate commercials so I can recover from all that laughing. What a hoot!

I have arranged to cut the cable of starting on the 23rd so I will have to get my fill of Turner Classic Movies before then. A lot of our favourite programs, news and documentaries can be found online so I don't think it will be too much of a sacrifice. Every penny counts these days.

Okay... back to the post... I am good with Wednesday 2pm. That's this Wed. the 16th right? I am open to doing whatever you feel like. I defer to you Lavie. If you do opt for metta phrases maybe you can post some here the night before, in part so we might be doing the same ones but mostly to save me having to go back to find the ones you posted before. But again

Well that took longer then ever lol. I better copy because I am sure I hve timed out.

Oh I can't resist leaving you with one....

Yay! Looks like we have a date! Can't wait!!

2.00 pm PST is 5.00 pm Eastern time though. Did you mean 11.00 am PST, which is 2.00 pm Eastern time?? I can do either one, though 2.00 pm PST would work better for me on that day.

I love the idea of doing a metta meditation and sending out lovingkindness to each other!! Looking forward to your instructions!

Well done for being pro-active about your finances, (((((((ss)))))) I agree that taking action is by far the best anti-dote to worry. And, just generally, I always notice that being productive gives my mood a real boost.

So glad you had a productive and a peaceful day today!! (((((((((((ss))))))))) Wishing you many more of those!

Good catch Sun. I didn't even notice that.

A big OOPS, everybody. Another senior moment. How about 2 pm Pacific time, 5 pm for me? If you want to do metta practice, that's great. Here are some traditional phrases, said first for yourself, then a benefactor/teacher, then a friend, then someone difficult in your life, then someone neutral, then for all beings.

The phrases: May I be happy and peaceful. May I be healthy in body, mind, and spirit. May my life flow with ease and well-being, May I be free of inner and outer harm.

Thanks for that AFV link, SS. Funny. I watched a video tonight that I borrowed from the library. I'd never heard of it, "What the Bleep Do We Know". I'm not sure about the quantum physics part, but the message was inspiring, that we create our realities with the thoughts that we think. I've also been thinking about creating a "vision board", a collage of images to represent the life that I'd like, the inner qualities that I want to cultivate, and to give me a visual reminder every day. I also ran into someone today who mentioned it too.

lol... I have more then my share of senior moments... guess that is why it slips right by me. Good we have Sun lol.

2pm still works for me. Just to confirm it is this wednesday the 16th. Thanks for the phrases I am going to write them down this time. Maybe post them infront of where I sit. When we say it for others, do we name them to replace the 'I' when it is for ourselves?

I have invited greylove to join us. She is excited that Lavie is going to kick off our cyber meditiations. I will let her know the time... oh I guess I will wait to see if this is going to work of Sun before I do that.

Very cool!!! Wonderful to invite grey!! 2.00 pm PST on Wednesday, 3/16/11 works great for me (I am the Queen of senior moments!!!)

Thank you so much for the beautiful phrases ((((((((lavie))))))))))) And thanks so much again for coming up with this idea ((((((((ss)))))))))))

Just wondering if anyone has been in touch with SunSun about this? I heard from her yesterday and I know she is feeling very low in energy. But perhaps she might be able to sit with us on Wednesday? If no one has already, I can contact her with the details?

Please do contact SunSun. It would be so perfect if she could join us for the sit. Without her here it feels like a piece of the circle is missing. Tell her we miss her and hope she will come and let us stand with her through the tough times.

So does that mean lavie and I get to be your princesses? hehehehe

Awesome you should mention this. I do vision boards. I have worked with groups to help people make their own boards. Do you do it with pictures? I usually will go through magazines and mindlessly pull out pages or cut out pics that catch my attention. I also use artwork or doodles or swatches of fabric or pressed flowers. Anything that reflects those things that I love and what fills me with hope for those things I sometimes think I will never see in my life.

In the centre is always my dream home in the forest wilderness with just enough meadow to have a big garden, with a quiet stream running through the property, mountains all around and yes a cliff of rocks out my window too.

I think it is a perfect idea and it makes me think it might be time to do a new one for myself. They can often just start to fade into the background and loose their power so it is good to replace them even if the theme remains much the same.

I wonder if it might be fun to share pics of the vision boards we create. Maybe Sun or others might jump in too.

Geesh.... I sure am into doing things together these days. Shows you how little time I spend doing things with poeple IRL anymore.

I hope you have a wonderful time creating your vision board. How timely that someone mentioned it to you today. Not an accident but an act of universal love being showered upon you. At least that is how I see these kinds of things. Awesome!

Thanks sun. It was a productive and peaceful day. I am very greatful for the gift.

Have you noticed at all that since being more consistant with meditation and mindlessness it has become easier for the most part to decide to take action even if we really don't feel like it.

It is almost like when the negativity, heightened emotions and other symptoms act up we notice them quicker and because of that we are quicker out of the gates to do for ourselves that which will help us cope or turn things around. And somehow we are better able to remember why a particular action benefits us and are that much more willing to do the work.

I just came across this while surfing on youtube. It just put me in such a quiet peaceful place where nothing but the music entered into my consciousness. I hoope you enjoy it as much as I did.....

Thanks for the youtube link to the peaceful music (((((ss))))) I'm going to listen to it fully when I sign out of here in a few minutes. Thanks also for the funny link!!

I love the idea of the vision board. Though I don't really have access to magazines. Perhaps I could do an online vision board.....Hmmmm, have to think how I might do that. I do love the idea! And I love doing group things with you guys too!!

And, ss, in answer to your question here about whether we've noticed a shift since practicing meditation more regularly, I think I really have, yes! I feel as though I am slightly less reactive and less apt to slip into auto-pilot mode. In difficult or trigger moments, I seem to be more aware that I have options. That I don't have to react in the same predictable and unhealthy way. Even if I can't always follow through with my actions, at least the idea comes to me now that there is another way - a mindful way - for me to respond to a difficult or challenging situation.

I still have a long, long way to go, but I am noticing some shifts in my attitude and it feels liberating! And also a little bit empowering! Like I say, still a long way to go. But it feels as though some seeds are being sown.......Now I just need to nurture and cultivate them!!!

Most definitely this thread is very rich and fertile ground for me!! Thank you guys so much for making it all possible!

PS: I PM'd SunSun. I do hope she can join us!

I hear you... I am running out of magazines except the national geographics and garden mags my friend sends me all the time. Sometimes you can check doctors offices and dentist offices and they might give you some when they change up what is in the waiting room. Or sometimes they get so many donated to them that they have an abundance. Used bookstores is another source.

An computerized version sounds like a cool idea. It could become your wallpaper or screensaver. Where there is a will there is a way hey. lol

Exactly and so beautifully said too. And the victory goes too (drum roll please)..... self care.

Night all.... I am following you to the sound of the peace brought to us by Jesse Cook. Sooo sooo beautiful!

My crazy son and his friends..... they are off camping out tonight. It is only 5C and dropping. How much ya wanna bet he comes crawling in within a few hours. Spring Break brings out the silly in kids. lol

As predicted he arrived home again at 1am.

While the time listening to the music I posted may not qualify as a sit but it sure was relaxing and it really uplifted me. I turned out the lights and left the laptop open just enough to keep the music from shutting off. It was nice just letting myself mindlessly sink into the music. I think I replayed it at least 4 times. It was a treat.

I had a restful time before getting up out of bed. I am loving spring break especially the new alarm clock part of it. I stayed in bed for 15 minutes or so just looking at the branches of the cedar trees in the back yard. They swayed a little as they brushed across the moss covered shed. After so much whiteness it was nice to gaze upone all those shades of green mixed with hints of blue where the sky could be seen.

Nice way to start the day. Doing a good amount of focused breathing and take a few minutes to just close my eyes and recenter as I work my way though tasks involving phone conversations and email communications.

It is noon time and for the most part the business is taken care. I am still awaiting a call back and trying to keep those worry thoughts out of my head. Not worry about what will be discussed but worry my language skills and my ability to stay focused will fail me. I don't like to ask people to repeat themselves because my mind went somewhere else or my mind is blank trying to remember what we are even talking about. I have a post it on my phone with the topic and key points I need to discuss. That is usually helpful.

Going now to make some lunch and have a walk once I get that phone call before digging back into altering the wedding dress. I bought myself a couple more days yesterday so I best not waste any more time. Only put in a couple of hours yesterday and I need to do better then that today.

Catch up with you all later.

Hehe to your son coming back from his "camping trip" at 1.00 am!!

Great job on the focused breathing and so glad you're able to stay in bed longer in the mornings and enjoy the view from your bedroom window! I have a view of trees from our bed too! Our bedroom looks out onto our back yard and we have big oak trees growing there. Behind the fence is a wild, wooded area. We never close the drapes and it's lovely to wake up and the first thing you see from your bed outside is the trees swaying

Good luck with your wedding dress project!

Not feeling good at all. Need to lie low for a little while and practice self-care. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow at 2.00 pm PST and I will be sitting with you in spirit

Sundog's princesses, I love it. And it would be great to have SunSun with us, and Greylove, of course, and anyone else you can think of. I haven't read the most recent page of posts here yet, but I wanted to jump in. I did read your last post, (((((((Sundog))))))))) I'm so sorry that you're in pain, and I'm thinking of you with healing thoughts.

SS, when you say the phrases for others, you insert their name the first time. You can simply say "you" for the remaining phrases for that person. Hope that makes sense.

Dear Sun.... sending healing prayer i am glad you will be with us in spirit tomorrow.

Lavie.... I am thinking to post an invitiation as a new thread. I don't really have time to post people individually. What do you think?

Thanks for the info about the mettas. I will post a link to the post where you described more completely. Easier yet I can copy and past your post to make it even easier and give people an idea upfront what it involves.

I am getting excited.

That's a great idea, SS. You're an inspiration every day.

Sundog, if you're reading, I'm still sending healing thoughts your way and hoping that you feel better very soon. Metta.