I meant to post this video a few weeks ago. A friend took it when we were in Seattle. It’s nothing outstanding, just me being silly. You can’t hear what I say, but I believe I say something like, “This must be the fun forest,” in an oddly excited tone. We’d seen a sign for the “fun forest.” I never found out what that is, but in the bliss of racing around the labyrinth, I was pretty sure I had landed in the center of the fun forest.
The video reveals my inability to meditate. I’m pretty sure these labyrinths are designed for a meditative walk. I started slow and methodical, but just couldn’t continue like that. And I’m pretty sure I had more fun doing it my way.
I still haven’t started my quest to try mediation every day. Anyone have any helpful hints that will give me a real desire to try it?
On suggestions for meditation: just like any “exercise” start small, especially if you have a problem focusing when quiet. Choose a mantra or sound to repeat over and over, such as “Peace in all things” or “OOOOOmmmmmm” and try to sync that with your breath. The first week try 3 – 5 minutes, and add a little time each day if you feel like 3 to 5 minutes is working for you. Put the timer on. Forgive yourself when your mind wanders and just bring your focus back to mantra. When I first began, it took awhile to feel like I was truly accomplishing a “mediation”. It was over 6 six weeks before I noticed a change in my behavior (gentler, better listener, calmer). Everyone is different – just like in pilates. 🙂
I have ADD and cannot sit still thinking of nothing without it being more stressful to me than not doing anything at all… What I have found as a form of meditation that works for me is finding a specific saying or verse that really means something to me or is a trait that I would like to exemplify and using my time and energy thinking very specifically on that one thing… I know it’s not meditation as some would think of it, but it really seams to make a difference for me. Even though it’s not the complete empty/stillness some desire, the fact that it does make me stop and centers me makes me feel really great