For the first time since my daughter was born (nearly 2 years ago), I have a habitual, formal meditation practice. This feels really good.
Of course, I tend to think that parenting itself is my ultimate practice in mindfulness. And I was quite literally so present to each breath the first six months or so of Oona’s life that I retained scarcely a memory of that time… impressions certainly, but between the Kali-embodied protectiveness, sleeplessness, and absolute fascination with it all, remembering would have pulled me from the moment in a way I simply was unwilling or unable to bear.
In between then and now, I have sat in meditation sporadically. Every time felt lovely, but it was fleeting and sporadic.
Thirty-one days ago today, I recommitted myself to daily practice. It began with 10 minutes here and there, whenever I could squeeze it in, now I am generally practicing between 15 and 30 minutes every afternoon at 2:30.
It is easier to do/not do something regularly, than occasionally. I think I read that in Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit. It’s true. The trick for yogis is to not become obsessive about it, to do the work (abhyasa) without attachment to results (vairagya).
Daily practice allows for subtle work to take shape. We can begin to compare without judgment. Noticing smaller and smaller increments of shifting.
How I practice Now.
Set the tone: light a candle, wash hands, say prayer.
Find seat: stretch, move, then settle into my sitting bones.
Find breath: practice 5+ minutes of pranayama.
Sit: fill myself with presence.
Finish: with gratitude.
Do you sit? How? When? Where?
love, kelly
I am very gradually beginning with this. Not quite in a rhythm yet but moving in that direction. It’s not always easy to carve out the time from my crazy days but, just as with yoga, when I manage to find the time to practice I’m always grateful that I did so.
Yes! I feel the same way! Also, starting with the smallest/ shortest increment I could imagine really helped me clear space. Could I be still for one breath? Five? Five minutes?
Blessings.
K
I am very gradually beginning with this. Not quite in a rhythm yet but moving in that direction. It’s not always easy to carve out the time from my crazy days but, just as with yoga, when I manage to find the time to practice I’m always grateful that I did so.
Yes! I feel the same way! Also, starting with the smallest/ shortest increment I could imagine really helped me clear space. Could I be still for one breath? Five? Five minutes?
Blessings.
K
I love the simplicity of this. Hope you dont mind, but I’ve written your steps in my inspirational notebook, for me to use.
Will sit today. Thank you! Sara (Sydney, Australia)
Thank you so much Sara. I am glad to hear this was helpful. Much love, Kelly
I love the simplicity of this. Hope you dont mind, but I’ve written your steps in my inspirational notebook, for me to use.
Will sit today. Thank you! Sara (Sydney, Australia)
Thank you so much Sara. I am glad to hear this was helpful. Much love, Kelly
Wow! I love that statement about allowing for subtle work to take shape. I feel like the world we live in effectively kind of numbs us with how stimulating it is at times, that for a while personally that subtlety was imperceptible. Thanks for wording that so nicely! 🙂
Hi Clair,
Yes! I completely agree. Finding refuge, quiet (relatively speaking), stillness amidst all of the stimulation is the ultimate practice, I think. I am trying to practice getting as relaxed as possible in really un-conventional places: like standing in line. So glad to hear from you.
Blessings, Kelly
You have such a wonderful blog! This idea that it is easier to do something regularly than occasionally is so simple and so true. It doesn’t seem like that’s the way it should work but when I set the “should” aside and look at how it actually is, regular just works better. Thanks for sharing your practice and commitment. I look forward to checking out more of your musings and podcasts.
Amanda, blessings and gratitude. Thank you so much for visiting and for your kindness. LOVE! Kelly
You have such a wonderful blog! This idea that it is easier to do something regularly than occasionally is so simple and so true. It doesn’t seem like that’s the way it should work but when I set the “should” aside and look at how it actually is, regular just works better. Thanks for sharing your practice and commitment. I look forward to checking out more of your musings and podcasts.
Amanda, blessings and gratitude. Thank you so much for visiting and for your kindness. LOVE! Kelly