Mental Hygiene

Unconventional Meditation Practice

I don't know many people who look forward to going to the dentist and neither do I really but there is one thing I do like about going to get my teeth cleaned: I know that I am going to get a good 30 minute meditation in.

I get my teeth cleaned often, not by choice but because I inherited the teeth of Johnny Rotten and if I don't keep them in tip-top condition they will cause me serious issues.

My decision to first meditate while in "the dental chair" was actually out of convenience. At that time I was holding on to a story and telling myself that I was too busy and didn't really have time to meditate very often (likely excuse). I found that being in that dental chair was one time that I was actually forced to sit still for more than five minutes - so to avoid the discomfort of the whole dental non-ambience I decided to try meditating.

Now while my gentle handed Hygienist is picking, poking and prodding, I am focused only on my breathing and meditation.

My real point here is that meditating doesn't have to be done cross legged with a shaved head and an orange robe.

Mindfulness meditation can be developed by anyone and can be practiced in any way that works for you individually.

I spent many years following a belief of "If you're not going to do it right, then

don't do it at all!"

Sound familiar? Oh I would wait until the conditions were just right, until I had all the proper equipment, or read enough books, or taken enough seminars etc. What I have now found is that I was doing more planning, figuring and actually procrastinating than jumping in feet first and just doing it, whatever "it" was.

So for the last few years I have made a habit of meditating every morning in my home as well as meditating in all kinds of unconventional places and at odd times. I am far from an expert but have created my own style of meditating that works for me - sans the robe and cropped haircut, and have taught myself to be able to slip in and out of a meditative state anywhere in a matter of seconds.

It is not only the benefits of meditation that have been rewarding for me but even more importantly it's the good feeling I have about myself for breaking out of my old belief pattern and forging ahead and "doing it" without worrying about having to be perfect, exact, conventional or RIGHT.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Have you ever noticed how different you feel emotionally when you are on a boat in the water?

Let's put aside the fearful feeling of falling in, sinking or drowning for a minute and concentrate on the positive feelings.
For me,  when I am floating in the still waters of Upper Herring Lake in my kayak  I get a calming reassuring feeling that I am in total rhythm with the natural harmony of nature.  It is a place of well-being and connection.
There is also something about the buoyancy of the water that gives me a safe feeling - like I am being held and nurtured in the arms of Mother Nature herself.  The water being a natural conduit for energy I also feel ultra amplified and energized.
 It is interesting to note that even when in a place of what some would consider being dangerous and fearful, I am in my most calm, safe and connected space.
It is in this space that we must take note, record and become aware of those feelings that bring us closest to our Wholeness.
This awareness and the acceptance that these feelings are the guide to our inner wisdom
will be the path to truly living from our True Nature.

Where is the place where you feel the most connected and whole?