Sharon Saltzberg a well known meditation teacher is doing a one month of meditation on line right now. Today is day three. Go to her website and sign on and catch up. The first week is all on "Concentration" which is what you are saying you are lacking.
I am new to this as well and was trying to slip off to do this quickly before I had to wrangle kids to bed. I have done enough meditation/mindfulness off and on to have learned that I set my intention (in this case, follow the instructions by Jeanne in the Loving Kindness meditation) and just trust that it is carrying out as it should, whether I feel much going on or not. Basically, don't try too hard - once you put it out there, it is happening. No idea if that is correct! :)
I am encouraged that the group is setting up regular meditations this month, so I am hoping to join in more regularly to hone that "meditation muscle." I took Qi Gong years ago and remember when I was practicing regularly, I had all sorts of interesting sensations and feelings so I think this is like that -- practicing regularly will help.
CC21,
I think I was rushed last night too. I had to frost cupcakes I had promised some football-watching non-meditators. lol I also have a condition that makes it very difficult to calm and clear my mind-ever-so that is a huge hurdle I have to overcome.
Here's a meditation instruction in verse attributed to St. Teresa of Avila. It may help you meditate:
This magnificent refuge is inside you.
Enter. Shatter the darkness that shrouds the doorway.
Be bold. Be humble.
Put away the incense and forget
the incantations they taught you.
Ask no permission from the authorities.
Close your eyes and follow your breath
to the still place that leads to the
invisible path that leads you home.
-St. Teresa of Avila (b. 1515)
@jeanne-mayell, it sounds like you have turned a corner with your healing. Yay!! I am happy to hear that and sense you will become stronger every day. Although you are feeling better, I encourage you to focus first on self-nurturance and receiving whatever healing gifts come your way. Nurturing yourself is also a way of giving back to others, since we're all connected.
These are pivotal times and many are going through healing cleansing right now.
Spirit guides are abundant right now. You likely tapped into a pure flow of healing energy.
Jeanne-Mayell
Yes! That's what it felt like, Jeanne -- a pure flow of healing energy. It also felt like too much for me to handle, at least at that time. Like pure electricity. I've generally felt shades of that, either meditating in a group or sometimes by myself, but nothing like what I experienced yesterday.
So I sense it was a combination of self-healing, as well as what you described, Tonglen. Kind of an energetic stew, and my body just couldn't keep up. I know you're right about not doing healing on others when you yourself are battling some illness. If it had been three days ago, when I was feeling pretty bad, I wouldn't have engaged in the meditation. But I was feeling better, although not totally there physically. I believed that I would be receiving as much as I would be sending. I believe I did receive much healing, just not it the way I expected!
Thank you for your kind feedback, Jeanne. I will pray for your continued healing and renewal.
Notice:
Please join us in a Special Meditation for all of the children everywhere affected by our (or other countries) immigration policies.
As suggested by our wonderful Lynn here in our group who has been working so hard for the families at the US/Mexican border using her gifts as a lawyer/advocate/counselor and woman warrior.
Maybe we could all plan a few moments of silent prayer/meditation/healing energy for the children? Sometime next week, after Valentine's Day and the long weekend. Maybe Wednesday night. Let me know if folks would like to join in.
I asked my departed mother for comforting words this morning. I heard, "Be brave."
As I and others such as @deetoo are replying to @lynnvenura
I would be honored to mediate with her next Wednesday to share our love, light, hope and prayers for all of the children.
Her work and those of so many others helping these lost but not forgotten refugees means so much to all of us here.
I am reposting it here on one of our meditation threads so it might reach more readers both registered here or just reading. I will also post it on my facebook page and urge others to do so as well.
Hold a vision of all of us all around the world circling the globe as we envision our world and all of us holding hands with unity of hearts, minds, and spirits with intention and manifestation of energies for the good of all.
Our hearts may hurt so for all of the hurting, lost, imprisoned or even enslaved children but this is something we all can do as a community.
Join us next Wednesday after today's Valentines (send them all love today, as well) and the long weekend.
Holding Hands for Humanity's Hurting Children
Wednesday, February 19, 2020.
Standard group full moon meditation times can apply or simply meditate whenever you can.
@michele-b Thank you for posting and coordinating! I think we can have an impact by sending our energy and love to the children (and their moms too). I hope they will feel our love and know they're in our hearts and not forgotten.
@lynnventura
You are our muse and catalyst on this one dear Lynn.
May our heart, light, compassion and gifts of energetic transmission and manifestation indeed be felt by hurting hearts and empty arms everywhere -across all borders and through all gates and walls and wires cages may love and light and mercy prevail ???