#71 - Do a Meditation Course

The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga (ASOMAY) is the same place where I attended the Spiritual Church a few Sundays ago in April.  See: http://biodegradablewoman.blogspot.com/2011/04/72-go-to-spiritual-church.html

The school offers a free 2 part meditation course run over consecutive Monday nights from 7-8:30pm.

On my first night I arrived ten minutes early.  The room was set up for about 30 people, with brightly coloured cushions made of sequened Indian cotton, purple Yoga mats and bolster pillows provided for each participant.  Peaceful music, dimmed lighting and incense filled the air.  As I took my place more people started arriving and it dawned on me that every one of these people are in a position right now in their lives where they think meditation could be the answer.  At the very least everyone in that room was curious about meditation and its benefits.

The instructor, Simon, a volunteer at the ASOMAY, is softly spoken, friendly and welcoming.  The class begins at 7pm but people are still arriving at 7:15 after the course has already commenced.  I look at them and think to myself how rude it is to show up late, recognising immediately that I am labelling and judging them.  Is that in itself an indication that perhaps meditation is much needed in my own life?  Possibly.  I give myself one point for my self awareness in this particular instance. 

It reminds me of one of my first Yoga classes a year and a bit ago when, about ten minutes in, this noisy lady arrives.  Late.  Noisy Lady rushes across the room to get a Yoga mat, dumps her bag rustling car keys in the process, kicks her shoes off, flicks out her Yoga mat as though she's making the bed right next to yours truly.  Noisy Lady proceeds to take loud, distracting deep breaths in and out her nose for the entire class.  All throughout the class I am yelling at her (in my head) WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?  WHAT'S WITH THE NOISY BREATHING LADY???!!!! 

Simon guides us through 5 different types of meditation over the 2 sessions.  I particularly like Nadi Shota Pranayam, otherwise known as alternate nostril breathing.  It is said to improve the connection between the left and right brain hemispheres.  Interestingly, we don't breathe equally through each nostril all the time.  For information and instructions on the technique, click here.

There is also evidence to support the theory that meditation may slow the ageing process by affecting the production of important anti-ageing hormones.  For more information and for some practical (and impractical) tips on how to incorporate meditation into daily life, visit www.bodyandsoul.com.au 

Since the meditation course three weeks ago I have been setting aside 5-10 minutes usually every day for meditation.  I definitely see some benefits already from doing so.  The relaxing, floating feeling stays with me for a good ten to fifteen minutes afterwards.  I can also see evidence of increased focus and concentration and a decrease in physical and emotional tension.  It is also completely FREE!!  Meditation is said to provide a range of benefits.  Check here to see a list of 100 said benefits.

We finish the 2nd class with a singing chant while Simon plays some simple chords on an acoustic guitar (Em, G, D, C) and we sing 'chaitanya nityananda gaurhari'.  At least the ones who can pronounce it do.  I quiz Simon at the end as to what chaitanya nityananda gaurhari actually means.  I am told: chaitanya means 'life force', nityananda 'eternaly blissful' and gaurhari loosely translates to 'supreme being'.  Life force eternally blissful supreme being.  Life force eternally blissful supreme being.  Air force eternally piss-full supreme pizza.  May the force be with you!