Comments on: Why I’m meditating again

By: May

May — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 06:11:00 +0000

I agree. The morning requires so much devotion, and there’s so much to write. I like writing the free-form morning pages, but I’ve found it best to be flexible and not always do them in the morning–and for me, it can often be better just to meditate quietly sitting down. Sitting seems easier to do in the morning and stay awake.

I wish the morning had more time in it, too! Gah. They just fly by so fast.

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 16:01:00 +0000

In reply to May. I have to confess I've never tried Julia Cameron's morning pages. I have so much else to write in the morning, including my book! I do find that adding 10 minutes of meditation first, is very helpful. Not sure what all to when I work that 10 minutes up to 30. If only there were more time in the morning!

By: May

May — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 15:34:00 +0000

I love when you discuss the connection between meditation and writing. It’s a fairly deep topic and I’d like to start writing about it myself.

What makes me smile is that recently I decided to start meditating first thing in the morning, as opposed to my more common practice of having a meditation later on in the day. So your post was almost like a little synchronicitous affirmation.

The morning is the toughest time of day for me, but also can be the most exciting so I feel intensely about what I do with it. I’ve noticed a powerful relief and benefit to meditating right after I wake up. It can alter my entire day.

Have you tried any other forms–such as Julia Cameron’s morning pages? I have written those for years but I find I get very caught up in the form. As meditative as they can be, my more typical style seems to be easiest first thing of the day.

By: Charli Mills

Charli Mills — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 22:53:00 +0000

Such a good reminder! I set aside morning prayer and meditation time. Funny, as I practice daily I feel good, focused. Then I start to skip–those excuses creep in. Soon I’m feeling out of sorts. In some ways, I think we always have to begin the practice just as we do during the session.

By: CodyCat

CodyCat — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:31:00 +0000

I am so grateful that you wrote a column on meditation: when I first got
fibromyalgia in 2004 I was in horrible, relentless pain. I began meditation to relieve it (which worked of course). Soon I was practicing Buddhism in all aspects and was meditating an hour a day or more. (As an addictive personality, I seldom manage to do anything in moderation). I don’t know what happened, but one thing led to another and soon I wasn’t meditating at all anymore. My main excuse? I didn’t want to ‘abandon’ my dog while I went into my meditation room, and one of my more stubborn cats would stay outside the door mewing and scratching the whole time. So, I just quit. Silly isn’t it? As you said in your column, we come up with all kinds of excuses.

Anyway, this is a long-winded way of saying ‘thank you.’ You have reminded me I can start small again and get back into practice. You
always manage to inspire me, no matter what the subject!

By: Alex Boling

Alex Boling — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:01:00 +0000

Thank you, Daphne, for all your encouragement and advice! I have been chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for 9 years now. I started out feeling blocked and dry in many areas of my life, especially the creative ones. Now I have to keep a pen and a pad of paper next to me when I chant, because the ideas don’t stop flowing, for all the reasons you masterfully enumerated. Sharing the power of meditation with your community of writers is a true kindness–just another thing for me to appreciate about you. Thank you!

By: Darwin

Darwin — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 02:18:00 +0000

This is great, Daphne. I did a Vipassana mediation retreat last year and it helped tremendously with anxiety and overall personal development.

But I love how you’ve related it to writing. It makes total sense. And since lately I’ve been struggling with procrastination and distraction with my writing work (fueled by the negative thoughts, emotions, and resistance that you mention), it’s great to read your post to bring it all into perspective.

Thanks!

By: Daphne Gray-Grant

Daphne Gray-Grant — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:00:00 +0000

In reply to David Carlson. Sorry to hear about your back problem, David. Glad to hear you're dealing with it so positively.

By: David Carlson

David Carlson — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:52:00 +0000

I am into meditation big time with an online Wilmette Baha’i Institute Course on Buddhism. Just today I submitted a rough draft of a Term Paper.
Thankfully, I completed a mind map for my paper before we went to Florida a month ago. I suffered a ruptured lumbar disc on arrival at the MSP airport Feb 28. It became critical, and I spent 11 days in a Duluth hospital for surgery, and Physical Therapy at their inpatient Rehab Center. All is well at home, recovery much faster than expected. Outpatient Physical Therapy starts tomorrow in nearby Silver Bay, MN.
Walking normally already, with assist from a good hiking stick, and my wife and daughters taking turns helping with chores and being watchful.

Mindfulness, conscious awareness of Ego demanding physical attention, while conscious spiritual awareness brings healing beyond our knowing, a Divine Oneness that unites the masculine and feminine attributes of God.

By: Dave Small

Dave Small — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:47:00 +0000

Daphne,

Thanks for the great post. I like your advice about breathing and starting small. Through the years I’ve developed a morning routine of 25-30 minutes of yoga and 25-30 minutes of prayer, meditation, and silence. This centers my entire day. If I skip my practice occasionally — I still feel centered. If get out of my routine for a period of time I start losing my focus.