—My Personal Meditation Story, Part One—
This is my story of learning to meditate. It is ongoing, as I have been meditating for thirty years. I believe this is the first of seventeen parts (so far). It is in-depth, obviously. It covers years of learning various lessons in mindfulness and sensitivity. I also tell a shorter version of the story of how I meditate in a meditation interview.
Learning to Still Thoughts
I started meditating back in 1982. I am so much better off for having started this practice. I am healthier because I do not carry tension around in my body. I process everything more readily. I am more alive because my mind is no longer a traffic jam of endless (and often useless) thoughts.
I am more grounded because I am far less reactive to “things” in my life. It is not that I am uninvolved or oblivious as far as my surroundings are concerned. They just don’t trigger me the way that they used to. Also, I am more loving because through meditation I am in perpetual contact with the undeniable fact that we are all in this together— that “we” are all one.
Materials on Meditation
I began meditating back in the 1980’s when in college. I was reading “The Way of Zen” by Alan Watts. My girlfriend had given me the book and I was fascinated by it. I think in the same year I went on to read “Autobiography of a Yogi” by Paramahansa Yogananda.
These two books were inspirational and I became quite excited about the potential of reaching new heights of awareness. It was clear to me even then that I had come across an approach to life that would connect me more to my true self. Though I was already considerably reflective this new material promised to deepen this, and yet more importantly bring greater meaning into my life.
Sitting in Silent Awareness
Of course I had no idea what I was getting into really. The way I understood it, if one could just sit still long enough, the miracles of enlightenment would simply descend and reveal themselves. To a great extent, this is absolutely true. So I started sitting— and sitting— and sitting.
Continue with My Meditation Story, Part Two.