Apologies for the lack of posts over the last two weeks. I blame a nasty head cold, erratic blood sugar, a serious bout of insomnia and the usual fatigue that comes with being eight months pregnant. Throw in the mixed emotions I've been feeling over the controversial death of an old friend and I hope you understand why I've failed to commit fingers to the keyboard.
Needless to say, my meditation practice has taken a bit of a hit lately, which is kind of ironic as I could have really done with some peace and calm this week. Them's the breaks, I guess.
Actually, I'm kind of disappointed that I haven't been able to give my meditation course the attention it deserves. The focus at the moment is on mindfulness, both of the body and of the emotions. Whereas week one was all about clearing the mind and focusing on the breath, weeks two and three have been about actively recognising physical and emotional feelings, owning them and looking at them objectively and in the present moment.
For someone who has a tendency to be ever future-oriented at the expense of the now, it's been a bit of a challenge - but one that I'm willing to work on.
The other idea I've taken away from the last two weeks is that meditation doesn't have to be an isolated thing: it can be incorporated into everyday tasks in order to bring mini-moments of calm throughout the day. It's just a matter of slowing down and really thinking about (and feeling) what you're doing.
Take the humble cup of tea, for example. Instead of just mindlessly dunking a bag in hot water, this week I've been trying to focus on the little things: the way the steam from the kettle clouds over the kitchen, the feel of the bag between my fingers, the aroma of the herbs, the clink of the spoon, the sensation of the warm liquid against my lips.
Sounds a little nuts, I know. But the simple act of slowing down my actions and being in the present has brought a few minutes of welcome calm to an otherwise crazy week.
I may be a long way from achieving inner peace, but at least I've learned to take time out over a cuppa. There may be hope for me yet :)
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