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Misconception About Meditation?
I often hear people say that they cannot meditate. When asked why, it usually turns out that they think they are supposed to stop or shut off their thoughts completely. No wonder they think they cannot meditate. The mind will think no matter what we tell it (and who or what is telling it not to think?).
The mind will quiet on its own (though not always) if we invite attention to a mantra or to the breath or to some other space or object of concentration. With this steady soft attention, we can experience the benefits of meditating.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
Yellow
The meadow ablaze with yellow flowers. Wild color the harbinger of changing seasons.

And a Friend
I took a very enjoyable class this morning with Sue Elkind at Dig Yoga. It was a very full class, so the mats were several inches apart–far enough not to feel too crowded, but close enough to be able to do standing poses supporting each other.
We did tree pose holding or pressing into the arms/hands of the people on either side of us. Sue invited is to close our eyes and lean/hold more heavily on each other to stay balanced. (It is a lot harder to balance when we close our eyes; try it if it has been a while or you’ve never tried it.)
One of the people next to me got off balance and fell out of the pose. The instinct to keep from taking anyone else off balance was to withdraw from contact. But leaning farther into me would have increased the possibility of the other yogi regaining the pose and would have kept needed support in place for me.
A good lesson for these stressful times that continuing to lean in for support instead of withdrawing can enhance the whole support network.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
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It Was a Night to Stay In, But I Needed to Go Out
It was not the kind of night to go across town to run an errand, but it was one that could not wait until after I cam back from vacation (picking up my passport from the company that processes visas for India). I did not really feel the need to go shopping in Georgetown and would have rather gone straight home, but the rain was getting heavier and heavier and traffic was abominable. A taxi would have been a pointless exercise in watching the meter while we barely moved.
So I checked out “Fashion’s Night Out” in the stores near the bus stop. I had a great time visiting with the DC Roller Girls, who were at the Lush store in Georgetown. When the sales people start describing the products to me–they are always very enthusiastic–I often find myself telling them that I know what I need to know about Lush; I first shopped at Lush when it was a single store in Covent Garden.
When it was evident that the rain was not going to let up, and I’d had enough of window shopping from inside, I caught the Circulator bus and enjoyed myself taking photographs. When there is little choice about going out in the rain, it is best, as my teachers remind me and the practices inspire me, to find the beauty and the delight.




