21 Days

Week three has come and gone. I have waned. My meditation comes and goes. My focus has somehow sharpened a bit. I have not had the time to stay in touch with the group, the postings, the experiences of others. To be part of the community. I didn't commit to that but I have really wanted to take the opportunity to join in this daily meditation. All has been fine, although I wish I could have read more of the book and listened to the audio. I haven't. As Sharon Salzberg says herself, there is always another moment, anytime to take another breath, start again. I will continue to follow these 28 days. Starting with a new breath tomorrow.  And after that, I can start again, another 28 days, and another, and anoth...

Day 14 Valentine

My meditation practice has not been consistent. It has ebbed and flowed, less time, more time, according to my work and parenting schedule. Parenting has been a big focus this past week. In the throes of transitioning my child (and myself) through a new challenge. Despite anything I said, somehow my husband made some very good parenting choices and gently placed our son back on the horse that threw him off. He seems fine now; he confronted that fear and is ready to move on to the next challenge.

What an incredible breath of relief I can take.

My days ahead are full with promise and focus.
and I am eager to have a long sit tomorrow.

7th Day

The 7th Day of February. The 7th day of my participation in the 28 day meditation program as set out by Sharon Salzberg in her book Real Happiness. I've been a bit marginal in my participation. I ordered the book, but have not yet received it so I m not following her direct words. I did download and read the first, rather introductory (and brilliant!) chapter of Real Happiness. I have even been reading the postings of others' in  this 28 day practice. Plus yes, I too have been actively participating, by meditating too, every day. So far so good, a little bit at a time. Although I can speak about these experiences in detail, each individually but I have not been consistent about my time of mediation (not exactly recommended) nor the length of time. (I am doing the best I can on that) All in all it has been wonderful to follow through, have an extra motivation to do this daily, to keep doing. My best day and longest duration was when I had a day off work on 2/2, today my most difficult day to let go of my thoughts, detach from them and stay in concentration of my breath, was shortened and troubled. My whole day followed likewise. I later noticed the full moon this evening. Ah ha. I praised her beauty and cursed at her gravitational effects of my emotions and perceptions.

This first week has been suggested to focus on Concentration (Breathing and the Art of Starting Over) that I am practicing. The following week on Mindfulness and the Body.

I am grateful for the small bit I can participate in, reading others experiences/blogs, being part of this meditation community lead by a great and thoughtful author/teacher like Sharon Salzberg. And I am grateful for the opportunity to notice, concentrate, focus and to begin again and again, back to my breath.