Uncategorized
Mountain Outlaw magazine: Relax . . .
Published
9 years agoon
… Strategies for Successful Meditation
By Megan Mook
Cultivating a successful meditation practice has less to do with actual meditation, and more to do with building a firm but kind-hearted foundation. Much like taking a test, if you stay up all night and skip breakfast, you’re unlikely to do well even if you’re a great test-taker.
Meditation is no different. And, like anything in life, a few simple pointers can reduce stress and make the process more enjoyable.
Although there are numerous meditation techniques, the guidelines are much the same. One of the most common is monitoring the breath. Other practices, such as Metta, include sending wishes of kindness and wellbeing to others. Both techniques reduce stress, increase focus, and create a sense of interconnection.
The techniques often build on themselves, but regardless of where you start, these age-old practices are designed to help move us in the direction of our best selves. The process can be daunting but these strategies can help.
Helpful Hints
Rethink your definition of meditation.
Meditation isn’t about “not thinking;” it’s about cultivating a healthy perspective on our thoughts. During meditation we’re learning to tame and enhance our minds, not stifle and silence them.
Get physical.
Be as healthy as you can by considering what you eat and getting plenty of exercise with adequate recovery time. Research from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School suggests that a consistent sleep schedule significantly increases overall energy, which means when your alarm goes off you’re rested enough to get up and meditate.
Be Nice.
The bottom line is, if you behave in ways that hurt others by lying, stealing or manipulating, for example, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to sit quietly with yourself. Furthermore, you’ll find it difficult to concentrate. If you’re serious about meditating, be kind.
Stop being so busy.
This is our biggest task in the 21st century; ironically, this advice comes from The Stages of Meditation, a text that dates back to 750 A.D. Modern life is busy, but we don’t need to make ourselves even busier. Here are some helpful guidelines:
-Get clear about your goals, and let your decisions reflect them. If your goal is being less busy, narrow your commitments down to the essentials.
-Stop multitasking. “Do one thing at a time – mindfully,” is a classic meditation instruction, yet in this age of social media and email, it can seem like an impossible challenge. The solution? Stop fooling yourself; multitasking makes you feel like you’re getting more done, but in truth you’re being less productive. Try checking emails, social media and texts only during designated times of the day.
The above advice
Tibetan Buddhist lama Dr. Lozang Jamspal underscores this importance by asking, “Without patience, how can one ever meditate well?” Be patient with yourself as you learn to meditate.
Treat yourself like a child who’s trying to learn something exciting and unfamiliar. Expect to get off track – it’s a part of learning, not a sign of failure. Imagine a child learning to ride a bike. You can get frustrated when she falls off or you can pick up her bike, dust off her knees, and give her a loving push. It will take practice for her to learn to be steady, but if she feels loved and supported, she won’t avoid the challenge – and she might even enjoy it along the way.
For the past 15 years, Megan Mook has immersed herself in the study of Buddhist philosophy and meditation, living and studying in monastic communities in the Zen, Theravada, and Tibetan traditions. She holds a master’s degree in Buddhist Studies and teaches meditation and yoga in New York City.
This story was first published in the summer 2015 issue of Mountain Outlaw magazine.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
more
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT