How I Learned To Meditate- Personal Story

How I Learned To Meditate

My Personal Experience Learning Meditation

When I was introduced to meditation, I had no idea how beneficial it would be for my mind, body and my life. There came a time in my late 30's when I needed to quiet my thoughts. My head was so busy it was hard to relax or sit still. I could only look at magazines with pictures because I couldn't even focus enough to read. My life had become unmanageable, I began meditation with a 12 Step group that practiced 5 minutes of silent meditation in their Sunday meeting. 

Silence and stillness was very uncomfortable at first. My palms would perspire, my heart raced, and my mouth went dry. This does not happen to everyone, of course. What helped me was the group allowed us to focus on the St. Francis Prayer in our book.  Slowly my fears of being still, dissolved. In time my mind was became calmer and my body felt more relaxed. Meditation became something to look forward to.  

As my mind became clearer, I was able to memorize the entire St. Francis Prayer " Lord make me a channel of thy peace...".  See prayer below. You may recognize this prayer with a a few differences. 

St Francis Prayer - 12 Step Version

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace;

that where there is hatred, I may bring love;

that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;

that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;

that where there is error, I may bring truth;

that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;

that where there is despair, I may bring hope;

that where there are shadows, I may bring light;

that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.

Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted;

to understand, than to be understood;

to love, than to be loved.

For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.

It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.

It is by dying that one awakens to eternal life.

Amen.

Every Sunday, a person was chosen to read the St. Frances Prayer out loud before our 5 minute meditation. One day I was chosen and recited the prayer by memory. I had come a ways from the person who couldn't read a magazine because her mind was too busy. 

My next adventure was attending a special meditation group that met in a small building on the beach. This group had a silent meditation for 20 minutes! The longer meditation added a whole new dimension to my practice. I was able to reach a new level of deep relaxation. It was this practice that sparked my interest and inspired me to begin seeking a spiritual path.

I also attended a meditation class open to the public at the beautiful Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights, CA. We were guided to breathe deeply and slowly and on the exhale we would count from 10 down to one equaling 10 breaths. We would inhale then exhale count 10, breathe in then exhale count 9...

We were instructed to stop if our minds wandered and begin all over again. I was nervous at first but after practicing a few minutes I began to relax and enjoy the experience. The session began with 3 distinct chimes and ended with them.  One night we were lead in a walking meditation in a serpentine formation. I had some deeply profound thoughts, creative visions and experiences during this time. It is different for everyone but the benefits of relaxation is well worth the experience. 

Where my thinking was limited before, I now see endless possibilities. My relationship with myself grew and I began to know what I wanted to do in my life.. I grew to love many activities such as Tai Chi. I changed from being a dressmaker and became a Fitness Specialist as a Tai Chi Instructor. I utilized meditation in the beginning of my classes to relax the students minds and bodies. 

Thank you for visiting, Deborah's Little Gems

Until next time,

Be Well !

 You can listen to some easy guided meditations on my Meditation Page.  

Deborah Moen