#30before30- Meditation & Mindfulness

I have always thought that learning to meditate would be a good idea.  Meditating was always something I thought I would never be able to do.  As some of you may know, I’m not exactly a quiet person.  I have a hard time not doing, just being.

This past summer I did yoga classes with my friend from high school, Jen.  Throughout my yoga practice, we talked about performing the exercises but also being mindful of what we were doing.  Not letting outside thoughts preoccupy the hour we are setting aside to exercise our bodies and minds.  We used to do yoga outside on the Lachine canal, right near the train tracks.  As trains would pass Jen would remind us that our thoughts should be like trains, should pass through our minds and shouldn’t preoccupy us.  I really enjoyed our weekly sessions despite not being a huge fan of yoga.

Jen suggested that I read about meditation and mindfulness, which I definitely tried.  I bought the book Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn and tried to read it and failed, every time I would start to read it, I would fall asleep!  For any of you wondering what mindfulness is, here is a great quote by the author, that I feel sums it up.

“Mindfulness practice means that we commit fully in each moment to be present; inviting ourselves to interface with this moment in full awareness, with the intention to embody as best we can an orientation of calmness, mindfulness, and equanimity right here and right now.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are

So, today, Jen came over with my friends Eva and Kim and taught us about meditation.  We were able to ask questions about what it was supposed to feel like, what we should do when thoughts interrupt our mindfulness and how to love whatever we are feeling.  I have to say that I really felt like I finally understood what meditation is supposed to feel like and how to do it properly.  Thank you so much Jen and Kim for making this an amazing experience and for teaching me an important skill that I hope to continue practicing for the rest of my life.

 

Jen & I meditating