A Meditative Moment

When the world is trying to tell you something, you need to listen.

I have been trying to meditate with tapes by Deepak Chopra for a little while now.  A couple weeks ago, you may remember, I had the pleasure of going to the Menla Mountain retreat, then randomly, unknowingly, my mother bought a Tibetian vibrational healing sounds CD for me.  Then I coincidentally stumbled upon an exhibit in ABC Carpet and Home dedicated to Zen Tibetan Monk, author of over 100 books, influential teacher, and calligrapher, Thitch Nhat Hanh.  It is said caligraphy is like a form of meditation.  His written word has been elevated to high art with a price tag that surprises.  I grabbed one of the books sitting on a table and sat down to peruse.  Surprisingly, an hour had passed, I purchased a book, and rushed out.

What does it all mean?  Do I need a meditation space?  What would it look like?  Where would it be?  Do you need one too?

I think by the nature of a meditation space, it should be neutral, uncluttered, soothing, and placed in a quiet spot within the home.  What feelings do you want to evoke?

Many chose to decorate with an Asian theme, an obvious choice.  Others choose a clean, spare space. Exotic touches speak to some.  However you choose to design your meditation space, make sure it envelopes you, relaxes you, soothes you.  Whatever that looks like to you ~ no judgement.

2 Michael's

Will your meditation spot be in a room that mutitasks?  An office, bath, guest room perhaps?  Can you find tranquility there?  Will it have water, statues, greenery?

Lori Dennis

Can you carve out a spot in an unlikely place?  Under the stairs?  In an unused attic?  Down a long hall?

Outside?  They say when you become more advanced you can meditate anywhere; but why would you want to, when you carve out a little slice of heaven for yourself?

Maybe more is more even within a mediative sanctuary.  My active monkey mind (that's when you have a lot chatter in your head) needs no additional distractions!

Celebrities... they're not like us.  They have fabulous, famous meditation rooms for saying their oms and ahhs....

Jada Pinkett Smith

Donna Karan

Goldie Hawn

Russell Simmons

I think at the very least I need a Burmese bench.  That fits anywhere, right?  It's not just about creating a sanctuary, but following a discipline that helps create serenity and inner peace.  "Where there is beauty, there is stillness."  I like that.  I just made it up.

                                                 Breathe  ~  Be Present  ~ Be Thankful

                                                             
“From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax and be peaceful, we may wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth.” 
― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Being Peace



                                                                     Namaste

I'm Gonna Need A Minute

For those of you who blog ~ you may have felt my pain. For those of you who don't blog, the worst thing that can happen to a blogger after MANY hours of research and writing is to lose a story. POOF: It's gone, vanishing into thin air.
The sense of helplessness and devastation is palpable. I know this isn't rocket science and in the scheme of things it is a drop in a bucket AND I may be slightly dramatic here, but none the less, my post is gone and I need to regroup.  So we're here, crying the ugly cry.

A Mindful Weekend

A weekend spent at Menla Mountain Retreat was equal parts inspiration, relaxation and education. Considered a Buddhist integrative wellness and healing center combining Western and Tibetan medicine with other holistic practices.

Nestled in the catskill mountains, it's managing directors, ex model and psychotherapist  Nena Thurman and ex Tibetan monk, religious expert, author, etc, etc  Bob Thurman; friends of the Dali Lama and parents to Uma, have been instrumental in creating something really unique.
We were lucky enough to have had them join us and tell us how this special place came to be, along with Clodagh,  a friend of the Thurman's and  the designer of the spa.  She is a world renowned "life enhancing minimalist" designer of residential and hospitality spaces.  Clodagh researched Tibetan colors, used Feng Shui and chromotherapy to help bring the spa to fruition.

There is said to be a kind of energy here because of a meteor explosion thousands of years ago creating the valley this retreat sits on, surrounded by mountains and 2 rivers.  This energy helps cultivate peace of mind and a state of blissfulness.  I can vouch for that!   Maybe the fabulous massage had something to do with it as well??

Tibetan artists worked on the temple design element within the spa for several weeks creating an authentic visual experience.  With its bright colors, intricate script and decorative design, it is seeped in rich tradition.

                                                           Meet the Medicine Buddha

Ornately calligraphied copies of pages from historical medical books are framed through out.  All proceeds from Menla go back to the Tibetan people to help preserve their threatened culture.

Musical vibrations are believed to be healing.  At the very least it is incredibly relaxing.  Have you ever been lulled to sleep by a samsula?

We all have the Buddhist nature within us.  Practicing kindness and compassion is something everyone should adopt, but also like a practicing Buddhist, they say one must think for themselves and discover for one's self what their own truth is.

At the end of the day, this was our truth (among other things)...

I have more to say on the topic so let's meet back here again ~ next time ; )

Thanks Andrew Joseph for including me in this enlightened weekend!