After conducting the smart-phone vs featured-phone cost-benefit analysis, I decided to bike to Williamsburg. I examined google maps a few times, got directions several times from my friend. Still (no surprise to those who know me), I got lost. About 15 seconds down the wrong road I whipped out my Android and realized I was [...]
All posts in category Meditation
Lessons in disconnecting – and connecting
Posted by Shubha on August 17, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/2192
Pain and retreat and learning to live with ones self
The first few days my body and mind were stacked against me. The goal is to simply observe yourself without fighting, without judging, and with love. I picture my mind as a toddler – they may not pick the most skillful ways to act but it doesn’t change the way you feel about them – [...]
Posted by Shubha on April 25, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1849
The comparing mind
It has come to my attention that I gave the impression that I didn’t like the 4-day meditation retreat I did. I guess it’s easier to talk about the challenges than the benefit, both because some of it is so personal and some of it is hard to describe. By observing your mind, the good [...]
Posted by Shubha on April 15, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1833
Post-retreat poetry
Now I’m on to the Poland part of my two weeks, so I haven’t had time to reflect on the 7 day silent retreat. I did cheat a bit. I wrote 3 poems. The Notice Board Clean, white messenger. Notice board, like an iPhone. Addictive power? Its rare, precious offerings. For me? Nope. Next time. [...]
Posted by Shubha on April 1, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1786
7-day meditation retreat
This Saturday I start my 2nd silent meditation retreat. My last one was four days (read this and this), this one is 7ish (it’s like…6 3/4 days). The extra length of time doesn’t scare me…too much. I’ve been told that it takes 3 or 4 days to get into it so that the longer retreats [...]
Posted by Shubha on March 22, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1782
Listening by focusing on you
Last meditation class was on metta, LovingKindness in English. The words of wisdom I got from Gina Sharpe, the teacher, on how to really listen and talk to someone: When you’re listening, 90% of what you should be doing is observing your own body. Brilliant.. yet I always forget it when I’m actually talking to [...]
Posted by Shubha on March 7, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1705
I Remember…
As promised, I decided to put up some of my writings from writing class. These were written in 10 minutes using a writing prompt, and I have barely edited them in order to keep up with the blog. So we aren’t talking top quality! Observing I remember, this morning, the older woman got on the [...]
Posted by Shubha on February 22, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1618
Patience
On patience (after day 1 of a patience workshop at New York Insight): The teacher says, patience is not passive, but rather it is hard work born out of that moment between experiencing an emotion and acting on that emotion. I think it’s easy to conjure up images of getting immediately angry at someone, or [...]
Posted by Shubha on February 17, 2012
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1614
Why New York is the best place to practice meditation
The gatekeeper technique of meditation: focus on one point and watch your breath as it passes through that exact spot, as if you’re a gatekeeper watching people at the moment they pass underneath the arch to enter the city. I’ve never actually been able to do this, but I can imagine it – sensing molecules [...]
Posted by Shubha on December 28, 2011
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1580
Letting go, not dropping
The best part about finally being settled into an apartment, and not getting constant blood tests due to blood clots, is being able to settle into a meditation community-routine. I started going a couple of weeks ago, and the very first night I went there was a substitute teacher. On an aside, people have often [...]
Posted by Shubha on September 25, 2011
http://shubhabala.com/archives/1444