I am taking a meditation and Tai Chi class with my neighbor D. Did I already mention that? If I did, please excuse me.
Anyway, after listening to a discussion about the subject last week, it was brought home to me that there are many types of meditation and I had been limiting myself to thinking if you weren't in the lotus position, dressed in saffron robes, you were pretty much fooling yourself about the whole thing.
What a rube.
So in my 'personal goals' for the week, was a list of several things to try. The instructor says that Yoga and Tai Chi both qualify as meditation. Light bulbs went on in my brain.
(Did it hurt in any way?)
No, it was very pleasant.
(Oh, well. Just wondering.)
Anyway, with my new attitude about the whole subject, I have been trying out all kinds of things I already have around the house.
Quite some time ago, I bought a set of hypnosis tapes that encourage you to eat healthy and exercise. But they also included some guided imagery cd's in there too.
So last night I went to bed a little early and popped one of those cd's in the player and listened. I got right up to the place where she is doing a countdown to get you into a trancelike state. She uses a phrase.... 'Deeper down.' And that is what I must have done, because I don't remember anything after that..... UNTIL, she was telling me to wake up. Which I did.
So I'm pretty sure, I wasn't actually asleep during the whole cd. If I was, why would I wake up when she told me to? I would just keep sleeping right? I figure I really was in a hypnotic state. It was pretty cool actually.
I have heard the cd when fully awake, and it is all this positive information about making good choices and being in charge of your habits etc. I used to be VERY much against hypnosis. But I have changed my mind. At least when you know you can trust the person who is doing the instructions.
Anyway, my point is, there is something very..... healing and rejuvenating about the whole hypnosis experience. It is different than sleep, and different than sitting meditation too. I like it.
So I am adding this to my 'meditation toolkit'.
Next I will practice with some Jewish meditation practices that involve chanting Hebrew phrases. Something that is a little more conscious and engages the mind in a different way.
Can't wait to hear what's on the agenda for class tomorrow. I'm really glad we decided to go. It's a perfect thing to do in the winter. It's an introspective time of year.