2013.01.17 _ 02

Began this posting by reading yesterday's postings by other 100 day sojourners; lovely to do so, but a bit distracting, so maybe its best for me to read them after I have posted my day's experience. So reviewing my 'yesterday':while the early and mid part of the day went well I note how easily the first resolve (just two days prior!!) can seem toward the end of the day when fatigue, think it's fatigue, sets in and the gentle focus on internal care -- that main focus for me during these days--that gentle focus can seem a bit derailed by agitation, impatience, frustration. Maybe to let that be in focus, ie the vulnerability of the resolve in the face of the debris of the day.

Listened to a speaker last night talk about one form of meditation being a rest for the mind. Since I learned about meditation from the nine seconds I never thought about it that away before. I like the idea. My mind certainly can use a rest.

::: Clearing mind’s content
::: The winter wind swishes through
::: Creating some space

Woke up at 4:30, relaxed with fubu, bussed to work... coffee, began some light work in the office, took a break at 10:30 for meditation... was very difficult to focus, set timer for 8 minutes, was stirring quite a bit, chilly in office (although thermostat says it's 70) got scarf and completed my "stirring" meditation for 7 minutes. Began series of Chi Gong exercises for about 6 minutes. focusing on immune system stimulation and knee joint exercises. Went through the full 3 part Tai Chi form this morning in 15 1/4 minutes. I'm not sure if this was because I kept forgetting parts so that slowed me down... of I have already begun a nice slow pace as a good start (I suspect a bit of both) It is this I hope to extend to 20 minutes or more during the next 98 days :)

Tried to sit in the departure lounge at YVR while waiting for my second flight. Very unsatisfactory, far too much noise. I should have looked for an airport chapel, but didn't think of it in time. I'll try again in Toronto.

Gave myself 10 minutes to set my alarm, find a spot, and settle in
didn't work :/
traffic noise and children playing across the street get my attention no matter what
lasted ten minutes before checking my watch (to see if I had set the alarm properly, of course)
then laid down to try to incorporate the sounds into the meditaton

Thinking I might have to find a better method, or maybe just give it more of a chance, I haven't had this much trouble pulling 20min in ages, but then I haven't tried it every day before either

darkness and quiet seem to be musts at this point

I had a timeslot of about 2 hours length to meditate in. And of course I used the almost last 10 minutes, so I was constantly distracted by the thought that the meditation might be cut short. Maybe there is something to be said for choosing the first 10 minutes if you have that much time. But then, distractions are part of the meditation too.

My hands started moving automatically to the rhythm of my breath again. A nice thing to notice.

Possible parrots replace incessant dove.

Better day but still hard to get started with finding quiet time for metta ..I suppose its normal.

Metta time : It was better this time I could go do the metta meditation when I wanted - Thanks so much Stormy. It was not perfect because I chose to do it in the afternoon - it was still hot - the fan made too much noise to hear Storm hmm so I turned it off - then it was too hot. Later in the evening when all was quiet - I spent some time outside again and did some metta - it was much better that way.

Quiet time with trees and stars - I did spend some time outside again - this seems to work well - refreshing cool air - listening to the crickets and metta.

South Africa - a moment of ponder, thanks and musings : Today I chatted with another friend - who told me about his experience in SA. He told me how humbled he felt when he visited some of the tin shack houses of the townships "they have so little and yet they seem so happy".This is something that I noticed long long ago about people from Africa. So much to learn here ...

Body: Cooked chicken masala. Nicey spicy. Have been allowing myself 2 squares of chocolate each day (real non-American chocolate: Lindt Intense orange with almonds), but still losing weight! :)

Mind: Still doing background studying... including researching local venues. Not sure whether to venture forth online or IRL. Might need to visit in person to find out.

Spirit: I'll be doing more new transcription when Mrs. Storm is off vacation (next week). Meanwhile still reading old transcripts and getting a new feel for the magnitude and importance of the task.

NOTE FOR KARUNA-METTA PRACTITIONERS: If you want an MP3 file of the meditation, please email me and I'll send it to you as a 13 Mb attachment. You may find that convenient listening on, say, an iPod if you need to practice away from your computer and outside SL... like when you're sitting outside. :)

... kafka continues ... a gem