Vipassana Meditation

“Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation.  It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind.  It is this observation-based, self exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.” www.dhamma.org

On the eve of embarking on yet another new experience, I find myself in a bit of a daze. Reading the above and trying to imagine what the next 10 days will be like, is both fascinating and terrifying. Observing my breath, my mind, for such an extended period of time.  Whew! I’m not totally sure I want to see what’s in there.  But I think back to those prisoners on death row in an Alabama prison who completed this retreat, and I am humbled to have this opportunity.

The timing could not be more perfect.  What a way to end this most magnificent, dream of a year. 

May we all be more loving, and compassionate. And may we live peace by example.

OM

Hold Everything!

I’ve certainly been here before. Make plans, get everything ready to go, move forward, and then something happens. Life.  Life happens. I’m kind of getting used to it by now I suppose. That’s why I don’t take myself too seriously these days.

I was all set to leave for Hawaii next month when I got a phone call from an Executive Recruiter offering me a potential job.  And not just a job, but the exact job I had been requesting. Something that paid a lot of money and only lasted for 3 or 4 months. Interestingly and coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, that’s exactly what I was offered. I officially accepted the job today and will start on Oct 29, finishing up on Feb 28. PERFECT!    Hawaii can wait until the spring. I need cash!

So I’m on my way. On my way to living the lifestyle that I have imagined would be the ideal one. Work as a consultant on short-term research projects, and make enough money to be able to take short or long periods of time off to travel, to teach, to explore, to take and give workshops, learn new skills, etc. There is so much I want to learn; so much I want to give.  It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I’ve had a job. I never in a million years would have imagined that.  But it’s truly been the best year of my life. So many gifts, so many blessings. 

Looking back this time last year, I remember being terrified to quit my job and take this leap.  The unknown is pretty scary I admit. But it’s becoming less and less so. It’s only a matter of time before the unknown becomes the known, and by then it just seems almost mundane. 

All this has taught me to continue to exercise the courage muscle and to keep moving forward.  The rewards are listed throughout this blog.

“What if today we realized that all of our dark spots were illusory?”—tim jordan