Intense

My dear friend Stephanie is headed to London for a meditation retreat. Its ten days of silence. . She asked me a while ago if I wanted to join her. I asked her if she wanted me to stab her in the eye. Here is the schedule: ‎
4:00 am Morning wake-up bell

4:30-6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room according to t...he teacher's instructions
11:00-12:00 noon Lunch break
12noon-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your own room according to the teacher's instructions
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm Teacher's Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm Retire to your own room--Lights out

Ummmm.....Where is dinner? Stephanie you inspire me! She will write about her experience upon her return. I am going to meditation class tonight!

#27 Meditation

I am proud to say that I have been meditating everyday, for the past few months. In the beginning, I thought you had to meditate for substantial amounts of time for it to considered meditation. I was informed that a few minutes of meditation daily is more beneficial that an hour once in a while. I found going to the Shambala centre helped me in my pratice. I won't cross it off yet. I meditate for five to ten minutes in the morning and also in the evening. I'm getting there.

Meditation

I made an attempt to meditate this morning.It took a while to find a comfortable position. I tried sitting in the lotus position ( my ankle didn't appreciate it). I tried sitting up with my legs straight out in front of me (I could not relax). I thought I would try lying down on my bed in the corpse position. I settled in.

I lay there trying to clear my head of all the flith,clutter and depravity that envelops it. I thought of snowflakes and lilies and waterfalls and then I realized I shouldn't be thinking of anything. My mind should be clear. But how does one accomplish this clarity?  I envisioned blackness with a white light in the centre. I honed in on that white light, until everything vanished...and then I woke up 45mins later. Does falling asleep count as meditation? I need professional help. Does anyone know of a good meditation class?