In our Sunday Introduction to Meditation Class at Yoga Bliss we practiced mindfulness of breathing and physical sensations in both sitting and walking meditation. We drew on guidance offered by author and meditation teacher, Michael Stone.  In a recent “dharma talk” or lecture he reminded aspiring meditators of the following:

As the breath gets quieter . . . the mind gets quieter; as the mind quiets the breath quiets . . .

He observed that when our minds get caught up in thinking or “story-making” our breath often becomes more labored.  One of our group members described her very stressful life and the difficulty she has breathing.  She often falls asleep in the final relaxation period in yoga class.  The breath is like a mirror or reflection for our state of mind.  We discussed ways that we can adapt our approach to mindfulness to support our current state of being.  In very stressful times – it may be most beneficial to relax and do some belly breathing.  While it may be really challenging to stop one’s busyness – a short afternoon nap might be what you really need.

Some lovely ways to incorporate mindfulness in daily life is to use every day occurrences as “mindfulness bells.”  You can draw inspiration by using some little phrases, “gathas,” throughout your day.  Check out the gathas written by Meditation master and poet, Thich Nhat Hanh or Andrew Weiss.

These little reminders can help us to overcome the hurried way we go through life.  Our resistance to stopping leads me to think about the second instruction Michael offered:

As thoughts come and go . . . focus your attention on the clinging, the story making . . . let go of the object . . . focus on the grasping . . . watch as it too changes . . . is impermanent . . . notice how thought falls away . . .

Patiently feeling what is uncomfortable – not getting what one wants or getting what one doesn’t want – can be a challenge.  How to stay with feeling rather than enduring?

You don’t have to rid your self of thought . . .  . mistakes . . . the foibles you perceive . . . the idea of ridding yourself of something is yet another thing to attach to . . . to get caught up in . . . step back to see it clearly . . . Every time you see it, a little more of you steps back and can hold life more spaciously. . . .Let mindfulness practice  move you in the direction of not being for or against yourself. . . .

Meditation practice can be a great opportunity to observe how are minds work.  Yet I doubt that meditation alone can help us live a flourishing life.  I believe that we need relationship to see ourselves more clearly.  Our bodies, hearts and minds develop in relationship.  I need to tell you my story and hear your’s.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to share this life together.  Namaste.