Stress reduction breathing

This is very effective. And it's pleasurable to do. Try it!

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Hmmm. Think about it.

Sent to me by Paul Rogers.

Return to reality

I found an article today called Meditation as Awakening to the Now. Here's part of what it says.

Meditation, in contrast to popular belief, is not deep concentration or the tuning out of external stimulus for the sake of transcending daily life. Meditation, rather, is a return to reality.
...
For most of us, the value in meditation comes from our lack of awareness in day to day living. In the activity of nearly all things we are constantly looking toward the next event, or musing over dead experiences and ideas. Very rarely do we see, touch, smell, hear, and contemplate our present.

We really need to let go of that seductive idea that in meditation we're going to tune the real world out. Such an approach is, rather, a way of cultivating the mind poison of delusion.

The present little inch

We all know this deep down. We really, really do. For some reason that is difficult to understand, we forget. And so we need to be reminded:

Watch your way then, as a cautious traveler; and don't be gazing at that mountain or river in the distance, and saying, "How shall I ever get over them?" but keep to the present little inch that is before you, and accomplish that in the little moment that belongs to it. The mountain and the river can only be passed in the same way; and, when you come to them, you will come to the light and strength that belong to them.

-- M. A. Kelty

A WONDERFUL meditation story

Really, people. This is the best meditation story ever! How many times have we been taught to let go of attachment to results? Remember this story! It will not only help you cultivate acceptance and non-attachment, it will also stimulate your sense of humor!

EXPERIENCES

A student went to see his meditation teacher and said, “My situation is horrible! I feel so distracted most of the time, or my legs ache, or I’m repeatedly falling asleep. It’s terrible.” Said the teacher matter-of-factly, “It will pass.”

A week later, the student returned to his teacher. “My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive!” “It will pass,” replied the teacher.

I'm very sorry. I forgot where I found this so I can't give you a link. Maybe I'll come across it again. If I do, I'll publish the link in an update.
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Monday meditative picture blogging

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

More about connectedness

All too often I find myself in conversations with people who think that berating themselves is a good motivator or that self-loathing is somehow a mark of humility. Not so! Not so! And, therefore, you can understand why I was so delighted to find the following:

Believing in yourself is not just for you; it's for every person who has touched your life in a significant way and for every person your life will touch the same way five minutes from now, or five centuries from now.

-- Jaye Miller

Still water

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

“We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see”

-- Taoist proverb

The way to take a break from running is to meditate. But you know that.

Music in honor of the day