Post by Alena on Apr 17, 2008 18:01:27 GMT -5
Don't strain. Don't force anything or make grand, exaggerated efforts. Meditation is not aggressive. There is no place or need for violent striving. Just let your effort be relaxed and steady.
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Mindfulness in Plain English"
I think of how people often say "Ahhh! I can't meditate; I'm trying REALLY hard but I can't", et cetera, and I think that people could stand to reflect upon the above.
It's amazing how difficult it can be to RELAX, especially when we're so used to being stressed out and accomplishing things through effort. In my yoga class, our teacher has us delibrately tense our muscles, feel what that feels like, then let go before we go into the relaxation pose for meditation.
Anyhow, this especially applies to me today. I'm five million shades of frustrated and stressed out over lots and lots of stupid stuff over which I have no control nor can I hope to put myself into a good sitch unless I get to a more centered place. So I'm posting this so other people can benefit from my insanity. :lol:
~Alena
-Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, "Mindfulness in Plain English"
I think of how people often say "Ahhh! I can't meditate; I'm trying REALLY hard but I can't", et cetera, and I think that people could stand to reflect upon the above.
It's amazing how difficult it can be to RELAX, especially when we're so used to being stressed out and accomplishing things through effort. In my yoga class, our teacher has us delibrately tense our muscles, feel what that feels like, then let go before we go into the relaxation pose for meditation.
Anyhow, this especially applies to me today. I'm five million shades of frustrated and stressed out over lots and lots of stupid stuff over which I have no control nor can I hope to put myself into a good sitch unless I get to a more centered place. So I'm posting this so other people can benefit from my insanity. :lol:
~Alena
