mention meditation, and most people i know get an image of a serene buddha, sitting crosslegged in perfect contemplation, or a roomful of people wearing yoga garb, chanting sanskrit.
but these aren't the only ways to meditate.
repetitive motions of any kind can be a way to meditate. thus, gentle activities that occupy the hands or the feet, can be an excellent way to calm the mind and nourish the soul. kneading clay or bread dough, walking, weeding, folding laundry, washing dishes, or even painting a wall can become forms of meditation.
the technique i use is much the same as the one i use for when im sitting still, but instead of focusing on what's going on internally while i breathe, i focus on what i'm doing. at some point, my awareness unlocks and i experience a sense of being in two places at once - doing whatever it is im doing, and Aware of Something Else. in this way, ordinary activities become opportunties, even if only for a few minutes at a time, to connect to Spirit.
it also (almost) helps me look forward to doing these chores! :)
1 comment:
i always knew that something More was going on when i do certain activities, such as walk or hike, walk on the treadmill, wash dishes, and even drive alone...but i never really thought of it as meditating.
but i do relax and feel connected. i know exactly what you mean by feeling like you're in 2 places at once.
i love the idea of ordinary activities becoming opportunities. or finding the sacred in the ordinary.
thanks annie! great post. :-)
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