February 26 Class Summary -Meditation... Walking the Path-

This is going to be on ongoing meditation class and group, but tonight it the final week of our 8 week introductory series. In our first weeks we covered why, when, how, where and how long to meditate. Last week we talked about how to take this peace into the rest of your life. And this week our topic is "Walking the Path".

Meditation is most effective when it is done on a regular basis. That much all the methods agree on. When you meditate daily, once or twice, you accumulate a momentum, and all through the day its also much easier to tap into that peaceful center.

Tonight we are going to take all of this one step further, and discuss meditation as a path...It doesn't really matter what religion you are, or if you are even religious at all. Or if you are spiritual. Meditation is a path that brings you closer to who you really are. There are three main components that bring balance to this path.

The first is meditation itself.. taking time each day to enter a sacred space and look within. The second we are doing together right now.. it is called satsang in yoga terminology. A gathering of meditators, for the purpose of sharing energy and information. And the third component is service.. doing something for others, something selfless...Giving.

These three components compliment each other, and if you skip any one of them, the others are diminished.Satsang is a very important component. It helps us to stay motivated.. it helps us to energize. It can greatly enhance our meditation experience. Not all of us have the opportunity near where we live, so here we are.. together online. This meeting will continue on Sundays, and as much as we all come together with a common understanding, this will be a satsang opportunity.

As far as service, you have to find what you are best able to give. I know I said this first series was going to be generic and not include much philosophy or religion, but I have to say this. We are spirits hands in this world. By being open to what good we can do, we open to spirit, and become empowered by "it".

So I see these three components as complimentary.

That is one of the main reasons we created this class/group. This is not so much a discussion as an experience. Whenever you come here, breathe the peace and let all of our common efforts uplift all of us together.

Brief Discussions during class:

DTxxxxxxxx: When you breath is it through your nose . to exhale and inhale?? Catching up here
JamesXxxxxx: yes, I recommend breathing in and out thru the nose.

Alitexxxxxx: I see it (meditation) also as a compliment to each other. If we are meditating and staying tranquil and positive we will react to others in calm positivity. Our entire being will be able to withstand negativity much better and our lives will be enriched with happiness.
JamesB7289: Indeed. When you are calm and centered, it affects those around you. And yes, you will have a buffer against negativity and energy draining situations. As your meditation and understanding deepens, these other aspects will deepen also.

Alitexxxxxx: Those of you who meditate daily do you agree with this too?
TFxxxxxxxx: I only meditate once in awhile, sounds like I need to try harder
Jamesxxxxx: It really helps to do it once a day at least, even if you canonly manage 5 or 10 minutes.
TFxxxxxxxxx: hard to find the time and settle my mind enough
Stuxxxxxxxxxxxxx: I tolerate my foes easier now
Aprilxxx: there are deep benefits from daily meditation that can only be experienced

Lotusxxxxxxxx: Is there something I can read about helping to stay calm and centered in all situations?
Alitexxxxxx: Lotus the way to stay calm and centered in all situations isnumberous but once you have found the point of peace within yourself, the bindu, you can bring it to the surface at anytime by just calming the self.
Lotusxxxxxxxx: I used to meditate, farily regularly, a few years back. I know that place, you're talking about, but it seems so far from reach right now. I guess my goal is to get back to that
Alitexxxxxx: I do this often. I tell myself to be calm. It is a simple word that helps to trigger my inner peace when needed.

Stuxxxxxxxxxxxxx: What do you think is the origin of the expression, take 3-5 deep breaths when nervous or uptight?
Jamesxxxxx: Deep focused breaths calm the mind.
Alitexxxxxx: Because Stu the deep breaths are part of the calming of the body and mind and spirit to bring them together for peace

Group Meditation:

Lets start getting comfortable for meditation.. You want to sit with head, neck and trunk aligned.universal energy is all around usprana or chi as it is called. We are trying to keep this to one hour so I am going to lead the meditation now..

To sit with head, neck and trunk aligned yet balanced, you might want to try sitting on the edge of the chair so your knees are lower than your hips. But find whatever position works for you. The idea is to be upright, aligned, alert, yet relaxed. Find somewhere comfortable to rest your hands, either by the keyboard, or on your thighs, palms up. Then let all tension drain from you.. remain alert but relaxed and still.

Relax your forehead, jaw, neck...Your shoulders and arms. Your torso, hips, legs, feet. Be very still.. adjust if you need to, then resume relaxation and stillness.

Then... breathe deeply and smoothly with a soft stomach.. meaning your stomach moves in and out, not your rib cage. Breathe to your comfortable capacity, and try not to pause between inhalation and exhalation. Let the breath be a continuous circle. No pauses or jerks to disturb the stillness.

Let the stillness fall over you like a blanket. Think of a peaceful pond of water... becoming still, it becomes a mirror pool. The breath as soft as a breeze in the trees, not disturbing the mirror. As you inhale, feel the warm energy filling you.As you exhale, release all tension.. all heaviness.

Breathing in warm peaceful energy. Breathing out all tension and heaviness. Let this stillness surround you, envelop you. Let your heart be open as you inhale this peaceful energy. Feel the peaceful breath caress your heart center from the inside.. like a warm summer breeze in the trees. Feel the energy of the group all round you.. inhale this peaceful energy.. we are as one in this peace.

Sense the point where peace "bubbles up" from in your heart space.. focus there, open fully to it.Let us close our eyes for a couple of deep breaths and feel this point of peace. Taking one final deep breath and releasing.. let us bring this meditation gently to a close. But keep feeling that point of peace.. as you breathe.. .take this with you.and go in peace....