park life
For yesterday's meditation class we went outside to the park. When i got to the usual room, Lillian and another lady were putting out plastic bags with the cushions to protect them from dirt, and i helped put these around the room. Lillian explained that the bags, like the towels, should be folded neatly, as messy surroundings mean a messy mind. It reminded me of the way we try to keep our uniforms tidy in taekwondo, with an evenly tied belt said to mean a balanced mind.
Once a few people were there (new names - Carmel, Sue and Sue) we took off towards the park. I had thought it'd be either the little strip opposite the meditation room or maybe the small park a couple of streets behind, but we crossed over Whitehorse Road and down the street to the big park. After the usual t'ai chi warmups, plus a few more (including a few i've been reading about as 'questionable' exercises - circling knees, forward bends, even windmills) we started with walking meditation. The walking meditation i've done before has been really slow, watching every bit of the movement, this was more like marching or power walking, striding briskly around the park with arms swinging, though trying to be "very clear" in watching our arms and legs moving. I found it hard to concentrate, probably because i usually do a lot of voiceover thinking while walking, but perhaps i can practise that while going to and from work.
Then we did some more sitting, with two new methods to try. One was watching the breathing again, this time concentrating on the tip of the nose, the other was using a mantra, mentally reciting om ma ni pad me hum in six slow syllables as we breathed. I started off with the mantra, but found it too easy to put the recitation on automatic while my mind flew off elsewhere. Concentrating on the nose was better, though i was a bit restless at times (note to self - no more than one cup of tea in the morning next time).
Next week we'll be back in the park if the weather is nice. It's a shame we're already half way through - i'm quite enjoying these sessions.