Going Deeper
When I first began meditating I think it was with an Oprah collaboration with Deepak Chopra for a 21 day challenge where Oprah said some inspiring words initially and then handed it over to Deepak and he actually led you into the meditation. I don’t think I was totally consistent but I kept up to the best of my ability and felt like I gained from the experience. I tried it again a few times with Deepak, who used celebrities like Alicia Keys to lead the introduction before going into the meditation; A good lure to get new meditators on board. At some point, I became so interested in meditating that I signed up for a class, I believe it was $1900 and my daughter, Khadijah scolded me for paying so much but my clarity was becoming crystal clear and I was learning to be present and noticing how most people were preoccupied with either the past or the future or totally consumed with media bullshit or not real reality and (non) stars’ life instead of starring in their own life so I felt like it was worth it.
I purchased the Chopra App and became consistent, as well as adopting other methods learned from reading books by Shaman types and learning yoga skills and practicing Ayurveda. I had done 388 sessions, according to the app, my consistency averaging 90 consecutive days and totaling about 83+ hours when the ticker stopped working. I’m not sure why that should have mattered… but it did. My consistent day count began dropping and my attention span was noticeably declining. I wondered why not being able to see my progress was impeding success.
After a few months of ineffective meditation, my niece, Nadirah told me about a Meditation technique she was traveling to Brazil to learn. Well, Meditation And Travel, both my interests were piqued. It is call Vipasanna and can be accessed at www.Dhamma.org
The technique is offered in most countries, you need to pick when and where and then apply for a seat. After a few failed attempts, due to timing and circumstance, my application for mid January was accepted and I was given a seat in Marrakech, Morocco. First timers have to fulfill a 10-day commitment. Excited to get a seat, especially after the transition of my mother, the opportunity to meditate for 10 days was absolutely needed. The the course is offered free of charge. The only charge is to honor the commitment and follow the rules.
(from the website): Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills. i.e., an Art of Living. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation.
Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self observation. It focuses on the deep inter connection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind.
Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non delusion, self control and peace.
Please refer to the website for complete description and further commentary.
Also, you are able to read about my personal experience in my soon released book, Through the Eye in the final chapter, which echos this blog… Going Deeper!
After completing the 10 days, I was ready to matriculate back into the real world. My body ached but my mind was clear. Before actually returning to. my day to day, I took a 3 day pre-planned trip to Lake Tahoe. I needed all the amenities, especially a professional massage and great food. I pretty much stuck to the diet of clean eating that began at the Retreat, adding seafood, and eggs. These two are non-negotiable presently but who knows in the future. Chicken was the big giveaway and there is an antidote about how this came about also in Chapter 8 of my book. Also, how I can justify still eating the eggs. My massage was given to me by a 72-year old buddhist woman who asked me about my aches and sore spots. I told her about the Meditation and as I was leaving she handed me a card. She said, “just in case you are interested in exploring other forms of meditation. The card said:
NAM-MYOHO-RENGE-KYO
“Chant & fill your lives with benefit. Regain your health if you are ill. Make enough money to live comfortably if you are poor. Carry out your faith perfectly & become happy.” Daisaku Ikeda to the Osaka members.
Some may remember the chant as the one that changed the life of Tina Turner. That may have been most people’s introduction to meditation or Eastern Religion.
Vipasanna, however, is non-sectarian and eliminates the incongruity or inappropriateness felt by deeply religious people. Although, one or two people left the particular group I participated in because they were not allowed to practice what they felt was their religious obligations. For 10 days there was no talking (lying), no eating of flesh or anything acquired by the killing of something that was once alive. Women were in separate quarter from the men. Meditation started at 4:30am and continued to 9:00pm. The were breaks, rest periods, breakfast at 6am and dinner at 11am. Tea and fruit were served at 5pm for new students but older students received fruit at 6am and no solid food after 11am. While meditating and living this clean and wholesome lifestyle, one noticed changes in their body and mental attitude as the 10 days culminated. Day 10 the Noble Silence was lifted to create a buffer day and Day 11, you were given your devices and reading and writing paraphernalia and you returned the the real world. It is the experience of a lifetime and only cost you your time and obedience. Also that you serve at a separate session or donate or let others know that this experience is also available to them FREE of charge. Whatever can bring you peace, joy and clarity is something you should gravitate towards and stop competing, comparing and creating stress and disease in your life. NAMASTE!
