2013.01.15 _ 0

First thing to notice: the resistance to meditation is still here. I want to do this, I know it is good for me and will probably make me feel better, and still I keep on finding other things to do first. I did manage to cut through it quite early today and just start meditating.

Three prostrations, then standing meditation. In the prostrations, still looking for the optimal arm position, as I can't extend my right arm as far as I used to. Too far out and I can't relax my arms, too far in and my body feels unstable. Trial and error.

In the standing meditation, I notice the importance of my direction of view. Too far up and I start looking around, too far down and I start thinking/daydreaming, too far to the side and it feels unbalanced. More trial and error.
Then attend to breath and posture. Straighten at the inbreath, relax at the outbreath. Special attention to my shoulders, as they are the least relaxed bit.

At about 9 minutes, one of the cats knocked over a pitcher of water. Cleaned it up, then did the closing prostrations. My arms extend noticeably further after the meditation.

Wester, Nice that you could stop to take care of the mess and return to your meditation. The 9 minutes sounds familiar:).

I am not sure I will be able to join you all but want to wish you all a good 99 day session. I am still blogging after all those years and I am not not starting anything new except for the semester and new challenges there.

I am so happy this is starting again. I want to continue painting daily, for at least an hour. It focuses my mind and leaves me feeling happy and refreshed. It does mean semi-permanently covering half of my dining table with all my painting material thereby inviting the cats to come and sit on them. No matter. This is more important than a tidy house. Today I contribute my giant coleus leaf as a promise of things to come. edited 18:37, 15 Jan 2013

Welcome everyone! :)) And so many thanks to Wol for restarting this. I will be doing three things, one each for body, mind, spirit (if those descriptions work for you.) None of these things are new. One is continuing something already in progress. One is restarting something that I do from time to time. One is finishing a job already started.

Body: I decided in October that I was too heavy. I was no longer comfortable and could feel the impact on my health. My weight was 315 lbs (US), 143 kg (EU), 22½ stone (UK). It's now 278 lbs, 126 kg, and under 20 stone for the first time in years. I'm carrying on. I have no numerical target; I'll stop when it looks good and feels good. I'll be continuing low-carb and gradually switching to big breakfast. Recipes on request!

Mind: Every few years I play chess. Even though I've played competitively, I rarely relearn and restart in an effective manner. Now I shall be studying and practicing systematically. There's no specific goal - apart from keeping my mind sharp and brain healthy - even though I could aim for graded strength. I know I'll know when it's right. (Anyone who wants a game please let me know!)

Spirit: We're familiar with the idea of "ghost writers". Perhaps the best known book in PaB circles is an example of this. I have some ghost writing of my own to complete - of a sort. I'd been instructed to take a hiatus, and that I'd know when to restart. Restarting is an act of faith because I'm a little incredulous that I'm up to it! So first I shall be rereading what's already been written, and then writing anew.

Small hand on back, "Feel better mom." edited 02:11, 16 Jan 2013

off to a good start, I went and forgot that today was the starting day in spite of reminding myself a few times a week for ages, lol
my won't-power keeps showing itself more clever than my will-power

did manage to do it today though, thanks to OF, went back and forth between concentrating on images and my breathing to try and stay focused

lots of images popping up, making me remember somebody asking what the difference is between "allowing thoughts" and daydreaming.

Thanks to Eliza for reminding me that today was the start. I'd completely forgotten! Tried to sit after lunch, interrupted after four minutes. Sat again after dinner, made up the 6 minutes. Felt very rusty, uncomfortable (away from my well-arranged cushion and blanket); very easily distracted. I suppose that I see a long-term improvement in the way that I find it easier to calmly float across the interruptions of the monkeymind, but the monkeys are as active as they ever were. It's lovely to be here again with you, and I hope that this time I will stay with it.

day 0 has passed, finally got home through rain and sleet from the Airport. Off to bed, will begin with day 1. (never did grasp Day 0). I will be following Wester and the standing meditation as I am going through some of the same resistance. I feel myself getting somewhere but loose patience feeling "I am there"... time to move on to Tai Chi before I know I am ready.

[ past for day 0 is a week later, but here it is: greetings ~ warmest wishes for your practice in these days and pages. for myself: can you make space in the waking day to read what calls to be read, and then record the name of that, without elaboration, and without critique? sure.