Last night, in MN, airplane pilots were so distracted, say the news reports, they missed their landing by 150 miles. The pilot of the airplane said that they were in a heated discussion and "lost situational Awareness." A new name for being distracted. Some say they were asleep b/c of pilot fatigue. I marvel at the fact that pilot's have a name for being asleep or distracted.
If you're not new to CFM or even meditation, you may have honed in on the relevance of this story.
This past week it was a verbal ministry free meeting. I've noticed that I go even deeper in my meditation during this kind of meeting. It keeps me closer to the top of the meditation cycle I guess. I want to say more awake, but that's not it. I had a very peaceful, awake, very visual meditation. I did not fall asleep. BTW, I've never fallen asleep in meeting. At least not yet. This meeting was restful, healing. See the white bread post.
What do I need to do to help create a centered or gathered meeting like this one?
Leave my below the line emotional baggage outside. Like anger, hate, etc...I know that affects a space.
Be there early. Settling down goes faster when I don't have to wait till the adreneline rush subsides from being late.
Blood sugar. Yes, sometimes it is an issue for me. I may need to eat something to get me through the hour, something small. Water helps too.
Breathing. Be aware of my breathe. Especially when I get started. Then my breathing slows down tremendously. This is how I know that I'm relaxed.
And relax. I need a chair with arms. Sit back with my back firmly against the chair.
Eyes open or closed? I start with closed. Then I open them periodically. I'm guessing it is a grounding mechanism, helps me to keep a hold of my situational awareness. I like that word pair!
TM or not to TM. I usually start off with my TM practice. and then let it go once I'm in the meditative state. This takes about 10-15 minutes. Usually the cue is when the children leave the meeting. This is a good grounding for me. All the while I'm awake, very aware of surroundings. I hear everything. in fact, my senses seem heightened.
Here I get cinema-graphic...The waiting in the light, it is very Speilbergian for me. I guess it is b/c I'm visually oriented. I consider myself a "visual haptic". Things are so clear in my mind, I feel I could touch them. Other senses are heightened as well.
Using the White bread experience as an example; I could feel the heat from the sunlight on my face that was streaming through the white bread when I was a 7 year old child. I felt the feelings of joy as well. Very strong feelings too. I was transported back in time. But all the while I was a 100% present in the room, aware of everything.
Very healing. Very connecting. Very safe. But no leadings. No concerns have developed. I'll go with a massaging of self worth, being loved, being accepted, being a part of the group, community of believers like me, or somewhat like me. Probably is what I need right now.
Coming out of the meditation is abrupt for me in meetings like this. I've gone deep. I need time to climb back up. It takes at least 2-5 minutes.
Afterwards, I feel refreshed, alive. More awake. But I never lost consciousness or awareness. It was a stress free awareness in fact.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
30 days Has Gone By Already?
Geesh. Quickly too. Summer is over. I didn't realize it till this morning when I had to get up for more covers and the thermostat read 58 degrees. Enlivening. But still cold. I've not had to put on the heat or air until today.
The grass is looking fantastic, I'm sure you're wondering. Caught the growing season just right. Along with some reading on how to grow grass, instead of winging it. Using moss (from Canada) instead of hay is the secret. And good grass seed. Watering helps. BUT very expensive I've learned. A small bit of Canadian soil in my front yard, can I succeed from the union? The County? No more taxes? Am I a free nation?
I've been busy with starting a small business. Balloon Twisting. Sculpture with latex. It has been fun but hard work. 90% of my time is spent marketing. No news there. I have great fun making the balloon shapes for the kids. And D...is really into it too. In fact he has a different take on making balloons. I do believe he is more visually oriented than I am.
I've done a bunch of children's parties, festivals, and also doing charity work too.
I've missed a bunch of First Days however. And going to meeting does make a difference for me.
The grass is looking fantastic, I'm sure you're wondering. Caught the growing season just right. Along with some reading on how to grow grass, instead of winging it. Using moss (from Canada) instead of hay is the secret. And good grass seed. Watering helps. BUT very expensive I've learned. A small bit of Canadian soil in my front yard, can I succeed from the union? The County? No more taxes? Am I a free nation?
I've been busy with starting a small business. Balloon Twisting. Sculpture with latex. It has been fun but hard work. 90% of my time is spent marketing. No news there. I have great fun making the balloon shapes for the kids. And D...is really into it too. In fact he has a different take on making balloons. I do believe he is more visually oriented than I am.
I've done a bunch of children's parties, festivals, and also doing charity work too.
I've missed a bunch of First Days however. And going to meeting does make a difference for me.
White Bread Face
Remember Wonder Bread? Yeah, you've probably heard stories about it...go with me on this one...
And remember how we'd pull away the bread with our little fingers to make holes for eyes and mouth?
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/12/bestproducts/image/bread.jpg
And then we'd hold our bread face up to the light and marvel at the brilliance of our handiwork. And then roll it up hard and tight into a ball and pop it into our mouths and wash it down with a big gulp of milk?
Oh how the world looked for a child through the eyes of a white bread face.
At meeting the other day, I saw it differently. The bread was held up to the light, like I did as a child but this time it was the tiny holes around the 3 holes I made that were streaming light. The light exaggerated the texture of white bread. The soft, tiny and delicate perforations, that covered the perfect snow white surface, front and back. the light softly meandered through at different angles, rarely did the light go straight through. I marveled at the translucent quality of light as well as the diffused light surrounding the 3 big holes.
And remember how we'd pull away the bread with our little fingers to make holes for eyes and mouth?
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/05/12/bestproducts/image/bread.jpg
And then we'd hold our bread face up to the light and marvel at the brilliance of our handiwork. And then roll it up hard and tight into a ball and pop it into our mouths and wash it down with a big gulp of milk?
Oh how the world looked for a child through the eyes of a white bread face.
At meeting the other day, I saw it differently. The bread was held up to the light, like I did as a child but this time it was the tiny holes around the 3 holes I made that were streaming light. The light exaggerated the texture of white bread. The soft, tiny and delicate perforations, that covered the perfect snow white surface, front and back. the light softly meandered through at different angles, rarely did the light go straight through. I marveled at the translucent quality of light as well as the diffused light surrounding the 3 big holes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
