100-Day Practice! Days 10 & 11

 Day 10 (11/30/20)

This morning's session was punctuated by the sound of the rain's pitter patter on the AC in the window. My right knee was more reluctant than usual to participate in sitting. I massaged it a little longer this time and it was fine. Generally, I was more aware of my body being less comfortable than I typically am. That made for distraction from my internal focus for sometime. Eventually, I settled in...

As a courtesy, I am posting the following quote for Mr. Jamal Ashanti Bey who is participating in the 100-Day Practice!: "It is better to move less than more; it is better to not move than to move less; moving while being immobile is the movement of creation."   -Master Wang Xiangzhai

Day 11 (12/1/20)

The time sitting and moving seemed to pass by more quickly than usual this morning. Perhaps the recent energies of the Lunar eclipse and Beaver moon were contributing factors in my experience yesterday and today? We are made of the stuff of celestial bodies and are a part of Nature. Though subtle, it stands to reason we are affected in some manner; especially when in a meditative state.

Blessings!

"To be great, get it done!"

100-Day Practice! Day 9

 Day 9

I was feeling pretty tired last night and had doubts about waking up at 5:00am this morning to sit in meditation. I was rationalizing and negotiating with myself to feel okay with not doing the practice. What would it matter if I missed just one day out of 100; especially since I've been doing this kind of thing since 1985? And, anyway, no one would know if I did it or not. On and on my mind wandered...

It wasn't until I walked by our meditation room that my true Self emerged to take the reins and keep me on track. This is the Self that emerged over the years as a result of the investment I've made in trials and tribulations learning to be disciplined, tenacious, and diligent. It's the part of me that doesn't let me fail or fall without getting back up to continue my journey. 

What I've learned is that it's okay to not want to do a practice. Those feelings are rather normal when you choose to be at your best committed to a goal. What matters is whether or not you succumb to the feeling.

It's my belief that success must be earned and, therefore, that process is intrinsically challenging to help cultivate the muscles of character required to achieve one's aims. Thus, what truly matters is what you actually do; especially when no one knows you're doing it and you are not going to be complimented for doing it. In the darkness of the enclosed chrysalis, a caterpillar transforms itself into a butterfly that must struggle and break through to emerge to fly!

As I walked by the meditation room, I stopped, entered the room and setup my seating space. I then got my clock and set the alarm for 5:00am. I heard it ringing way off in the distance this morning and my Self got me up out of my comfortable bed to go sit. One day closer to achieving my goal. No epiphanies this morning, no glorious revelations. However, it is a powerful link built in to the chain of constancy...

Blessings!

"To be great, get it done!"

100-Day Practice! Day 8

 Day 8

Wonderful morning sitting...

I spent my movement time (about 45 minutes) massaging my toes, feet, ankles, knees, groin and hips. Feel so much freer in my gait and standing...

Blessings!

"To be great, get it done!"

100-Day Practice! Day 7

Day 7 

Here it is already--the first week of this 100-Day journey has arrived! Waking up at 5:00am each morning in order to prepare to begin sitting at 6:00am, has been rewarding; especially because I revel and thrive in the experience of discipline. Discipline is required to be successful in whatever endeavor you choose.

Standing on bricks (YMAA Retreat Center)

There are several types of meditation which all seem to have a similar purpose: enhance awareness, focus attention, optimize health and well-being. and elevate spiritual pursuits. The best meditation is the one that you will do consistently. 

While 100 days (now 93 days remaining) may seem daunting, consider dividing this period of time into four (4) phases:

PHASE 1: The first 25 days (ending December 15th) This is a period when you may find yourself trying a variety of strategies to get comfortable with your choice of sitting and movement meditation. Be gentle with yourself if it seems challenging to settle in. Do not give up.

PHASE 2: The second 25 days (ending January 9, 2021) It is said that it takes about 28 days to create a new habit. This period will help transition you from the previous period with panache. You will most likely feel rather settled with your choices of the first 25 days and can now revel in your rhythm.

PHASE 3: The third 25 days (ending February 3. 2021) While you've been making observations since the first day, this period lends itself to going deeper in each day's experience. I strongly urge everyone to journal your experiences as a reference point for future self-evaluation.

PHASE 4: The final 25 days (ending February 28, 2021) This last period is when you can almost be in automatic mode to just enjoy each moment of your sitting and moving meditations. You've consciously created a habit that will serve you for the remainder of your life. 

Blessings

"To be great, get it done!"

100-Day Practice! Day 6

 Day 6

As I sit and as I move this morning, I am full of gratitude for each breath that courses through me. I am thankful for my health and well-being. I am grateful for my family, friends, teachers, students, fellow travelers. I am thankful for another day, a moment to think/do a new view, more than mere driftwood in the mainstream...

Pause-

Reflect on the historical roots of the creation of the United States of America and the prestidigitation and obfuscation served by the Thanksgiving Holiday: read about The First Thanksgiving; the 1795 Treaty of San Lorenzo between Spain and the United States; the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Trail of Tears.

What this country experienced these past four years is not novel--just obvious and unadorned. The current president is part of this country's long legacy of active indifference...

Blessings,

Doc

"To be great, get it done!"

100-Day Practice! Day 5

 Day 5

Long before I began my specific trek in Qigong and Taijiquan, I was an avid long distance runner (Mile, X-country, and aspiring Marathoner). While X-country racing is scored as a team endeavor, each runner performs individually. No one except you puts one foot in front of the other up hills and across railroad tracks in frigid weather wearing a singlet. I remember one race when it actually began snowing midway through the event! You know I was't about to stop running to walk through the woods in a singlet just because I was tired or sore. 

My point in sharing this is those experiences honed my awareness of the possibility to complete a task begun in spite of the obstacles. They cultivated my a ability to stay the course, literally, and not to quit until I finished. Did I ever have to change my tempo during a race? Did I ever have to make mental and emotional adjustments to keep going even when I was unfamiliar with the event's course? Did I ever run a race when I was hurt and in pain? The answer to all those questions is, "Yes, of course." Wha I learned was the beauty of never giving up and the flexibility and patience required to successfully complete a race. 

These same fundamental character traits and skills are required to complete the 100-Day Practice. They are learned by going through the process 

This day and the next several through the 14th day of the practice may prove challenging emotionally, mentally, and physically. Embrace that as part of the process of shedding what no longer serves you in preparation for the way you prefer to BE. There can be a built-in subconscious resistance to change despite your sincere desire to be different. If you can hold on to that awareness and allow yourself to observe rather than judge yourself or your commitment, those growing "pains" will be assuaged and you'll continue through to February 28th.

Many years ago my father shared this quotation with me, "A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits!" 

Blessings

"To be great, get it done!"

100-Day Practice! Day 4

Day 4: As is bound to occur, there are days when it is less easy or smooth to sit than most other days. This morning was such an occasion. Having been here before in my many years of training and disciplining my Self, I followed the flow and did sit. No particular revelations or epiphanies made themselves known.

But, that is not the point of mediation for me. It's not about the destination. Rather, it is always about the experience itself. Embracing the process, the moment, and allowing myself to let go without judgment or expectation. I learned a long time ago that time is going to pass regardless of what you do or do to do. Might as well act on faith and do "it." The "rewards" that come are always on time and appropriate to meet my needs at that moment or period.

So, sit even when you do not want to sit. Do it anyway:-)

Blessings

"To be great, get it done!"