We are halfway through the year and I can't help but be astonished at where my life is at today. November 2011 I left a job after 10 years for a new opportunity, which lasted three months. Two days after my new job became history, the universe dropped a new gig in my lap that has allowed me to travel to the other side of the world and see a part of the Philippines few westerners will ever see. I realized that the creative side of me has been in hibernation - rarely coming out, and when it does it seems to be such an effort. I am constantly antsy about something and can't seem to settle. My doctor suggested meditation. Because I never seem to enter any new venture lightly I read as much as I could, tried it, found led meditations on the internet....and...well....I just suck at it. I peek at the clock every 20 seconds and my brain is busy thinking of a thousand things because I am sitting down and have the time to think! So maybe meditation with my camera is in order...trying to get that perfect shot and then making it work.
6 comments:
BEAUTIFUL meditative images, Raina... Meditation with the camera, indeed! As you know I practice meditation, so can highly recommend it. ;o) But one doesn't need to sit for a whole hour to gain the benefits of a meditation practice. My own practice changes with my life. At the moment I do a silent practice for 10-20 minutes and am quite content with that. Sometimes I do guided meditation, which are also beneficial. It takes time to develop a contemplative practice. Be kind to yourself. Just show up, sit for a bit, enjoy some silence & stillness. Life is busy. We need silence and slow-down. :o)
Meditation in photos is indeed meditation!
I have been meditating since a teen, so more than 25 years. I know that there are different types to suit different personalities or goals, but I always find the simple and most basic thing to do is breathe. It's essentially the basis for all meditation. If you consider breath, a mediation can just be a few seconds. (Really!) Or, it can be two hours. When my mind is busy, I close my eyes (or not) and focus on my breathing. I then try to let go of all other thought. If some creeps in, I pay attention to my breath instead. It's sort of back and forth, back and forth, and sometimes I melt into it right away.
I guess that you didn't ask for my life story, but wanted to remind you that small bits of meditation and easy meditation are both worthwhile and achievable.
Meditation with the camera sounds perfect. I suck at it too -- my happy place in yoga seems to always be interrupted by whatever is going on that day.You've had a big year!
I'm a fan of the Meditation Oasis podcasts. I can't meditate worth a damn without being guided and these work pretty well for me.
Think of it as a process; you may start with 'monkey mind' (your thoughts running wild), but with a little practice I bet you can calm those scattered feelings.
Your photographs are lovely. I can identify with photography as meditation. The other thing that really works with me is walking. Walking, and enjoying the scenery - just for the sake of it. No time frames, no 'place go to'. It's as good as meditation in my book.
I've never successfully meditated...
getting immersed in something so I forget all that makes me fret works, but stillness with an empty head just doesn't happen... sigh
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