Our Minds, Ourselves

Rising out of the feminist movement, the original Our Bodies, Ourselves was an informational pamphlet on women’s issues for women.  Frustrated by the lack of information on these issues, and angered by the notion that we should just trust our doctors and experts without being able to make informed decisions, 12 Boston women set out to share information.

Recently, a friend told me he has no idea how to meditate.  He said he’s interested in learning, but all the resources he could find don’t actually explain how to do it.  Now, this friend is actually one of the smartest people I know — the kind of person that teaches himself pretty impressive things (computer programming, chaos theory, etc.).  So when he expressed frustration at the overly simplistic instructions available online, I was surprised.

Though he concluded he just needed to take a class (a sentiment I supported), I couldn’t help but ask what he was googling.  Upon a brief discussion, it became clear that stumbling on buzz phrases (and as teachers, recycling them) isn’t terribly helpful.  “Just sit comfortably and breathe.” or “Silence your mind.” While true, these instructions fail to sympathize with with the cycles of physical or emotional discomfort that can and will arise, these instructions fail to explain the process.

“Meditation is simplicity itself….It’s about stopping and being present, that is all.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

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You start learning to notice the good, the bad, and the unpleasant.  You start.  You sit.  You notice… There are so many layers.  The physical layer.  The mental layer.  The emotional layer.  There may be moments of profound acceptance.  There may be a feeling of oneness, where all the layers mesh and the outside and inside blur.

In meditation, there are so many books and blog posts and pamphlets and groups.  Teachers and guides are a great place to start.  To start, to begin, whatever vehicle gets you there is exactly perfect. But from that point on, it’s your journey.  You don’t get to see what’s there until you start, you sit and notice. Approach yourself with kindness and tune in.  And tell us what you find — we can support each other.