Coffee, Chocolate & Meditation

November 11, 2009 - My boyfriend encouraged me to write down all of the yoga things I keep talking about, regardless of if they were different studio reviews or not. I have become a steady attendee at Unity Yoga (close to home, variety of classes, pleasant tea room, affordable) since working full time in North Van. Below are some not-so-straight-from-the-horse's-mouth notes and quotes from Shelley's Saturday Anusara class and the beginnings of my own humble meditation practice.  

This time of year in Vancouver we are entitled to all of the chocolate and coffee that we need. The sun has left us and we are sad with longing. there is an abundance of water energy surrounding us. We must fight so as not to become moldy or rusty.

We do this by invoking  sun/fire energy in ourselves and in our lives. We hang pictures of the sun in our homes and we feel its burning warmth in our hearts and envision its glow in our minds. Short, powerful and vigorous sessions of exercise are good for this.

This week I have been taking five to ten minutes in the morning to meditate after a short invigorating set of sun salutations. I find it gives me a space to settle into whenever I feel too caught up with whats going on around me.

This is how to meditate:  find a comfortable seated position (usually half lotus, perhaps on a small cushion) and if necessary, set an alarm (at anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes). Face your window and maybe a candle, light or something auspicious. Then close your eyes and take a look at what is going on inside. Generally the mind is anticipating, chugging away, planning ahead, chasing its tail. But wait patiently, sitting, eyes closed, and  label the thoughts for what they are: fear - judgement - desire, fear - judgement - desire, in a perfect circle. The light in the room is warm. Continue to relax and disregard the raucous, chattering mind. Imagine that you are full of light. What sensations would you have? You are but a sheath of sensory surface and a body pouring forth light through every opening (above Rob Green's "Sun Worship").