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 [...]
All posts in category Meditation
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
Meditation and running
My meditation practice has dropped off in the past two months and I’m recharging it in the new year. I’ve been practicing for about 1 1/2 years now. And in all that time the quality of my meditation sit has not changed at all. My mind wanders as much as it ever did (or rather, [...]
Posted by Shubha on January 4, 2011
http://shubhabala.com/archives/933
Meditation and diversity
Since moving to the twin cities I’m obsessed with racial diversity. Alright I always have been (except in Toronto and NY). Periodically during my meditation retreat, I would observe how I was almost the only visible minority there. There was an East Asian woman, and an Indian man (with an Indian accent)…but I found out [...]
Posted by Shubha on September 10, 2010
http://shubhabala.com/archives/672
Four-days on a meditation retreat…
..was sort of like being in an airplane with the entertainment system busted. Well not quite, except that I did have my phone on “airplane mode” the whole time. That’s right…I had my phone on me most of the time, and never took it off airplane mode! This coming from someone that checks her e-mail [...]
Posted by Shubha on September 8, 2010
http://shubhabala.com/archives/658
A weekend of Noble Silence
Now that I can speak/type/read/write again, I will do so completely! Even though it defeats the purpose. Anyway I’m sure I’ll have more to write but for now, the schedule. Also a strong recommendation that annnnyone at all, whether you think you’re a “retreat person” or not, who has started on a journey of meditation, [...]
Posted by Shubha on September 6, 2010
http://shubhabala.com/archives/653
Meditation retreat
Tomorrow I start a 3 1/2 day meditation retreat. No talking, reading, writing, checking my email. “There will be meditation instruction, periods of sitting meditation alternating with walking meditation, talks by the teacher, group interviews with the teacher, guided mindful-movement sessions, and chanting. There is usually time after each meal for work or rest. If [...]
Posted by Shubha on September 2, 2010
http://shubhabala.com/archives/648
Practicing
I like the use of the term “practicing Buddhist.” I guess if you’re someone from a Buddhist family, who then doesn’t practice it (Tiger Woods…?) you get to just be a “Buddhist.” So most white-Americans, at least a generation ago, would never get to just be “Buddhists” they’re all “practicing Buddhist.” I think this is [...]
Posted by Shubha on August 26, 2010
http://shubhabala.com/archives/636