Yoga Folks discussion

Hi all:

I hope you're enjoying this book as much as I am. While there are some basic meditation facts most of us yoga enthusiasts are no doubt aware of, and a few hokey sections I could do without, I'm getting a lot out of this book. I also love that it is breezily written--something that cannot be said of many spiritual books and that, as a novelist, I especially appreciate.

Here are some prompts for the second third of the book. As always, answer whatever strikes you, or ignore all my prompts and just riff.

Prompts for the rest of the book will be posted on or before February 5th.

1) The first chapter in this section is called People Might Think I'm Weird. Anybody here worry about this? If so, how did you get over that?

2) This chapter lists the five main hindrances to meditation: sloth/torpor (falling asleep or being bored during a meditation), desire (suddenly wanting to eat, watch TV, or do anything that isn't meditating), aversion (feeling anger or dislike), restlessness/worry (being "full of beans," agitated, or wanting to make plans) and doubt (feeling like meditation isn't a valuable way to be spending your time). Do you experience any of these? Has this chapter helped you get past them?

3) The next chapter is called Meditation is Self-Indulgent. Do you struggle with feeling like you don't deserve to spend the time it takes to meditate? If so, do you relate to the concept Jeff explains, that you're shooting yourself with a second arrow--not meditating being the first arrow, then feeling badly that you're not doing what you think might help you as the second?

4) This chapter features a "Giving a Shit About Yourself Meditation." Did you try it? (If no, I highly recommend you do this one--different and very interesting.)

5) The chapter Pandora's Box deals with the fear that meditation might unleash your inner demons. Did you find when you started meditating--or as in Jeff's case (which I found very interesting), some years later--that emotions you had stuffed down start coming up? If so, how did/do you deal with this?

6) Jeff's calls his strategy for dealing with uncomfortable emotions that arise RAIN: recognize, accept, investigation, non-identification. Did you try this? Are you able to accomplish this--especially not identifying with the emotions coming up?

7) What do you think of the Welcome to the Party meditation (saying that to every thought that enters during a meditation), and the fact that Jeff created it on the fly? Do you think everything can be fodder for a meditation?

8) What do you think of the format of the book, where Dan and Jeff have separate voices and commentary? Does that work, or does it feel too much like two separate books? (I myself like this, because Jeff's sections alone would make the book too bland for me.)

9) What do you think of the bus tour and the experiences Dan writes about from the people they meet as well as the staff on the bus? Are you enjoying these sections? (I personally do enjoy this, because it makes the book a more fun read. But I could do without Dan constantly talking about what a self-centered jerk he thinks he is, because he's starting to convince me.)

XO

Thanks for this Meryl!

I did like the chapter on meditations for self-care. I struggle with that a lot as I'm sure many do. I liked the "Welcome to the Party" concept but think that for me it might be more useful when doing other mindfulness practices. RAIN is a fairly popular and useful technique. If you didn't like the version in the book, I'd encourage you to seek out versions by other meditation teachers. Tara Brach has a good one in some of her audio programs. Lastly, I think anything can be a meditation if you bring mindfulness to it, so those parts of the book where meditations were being created on the fly didn't bother me. I'm looking forward to hearing what others thought as well :)

Thanks for your comments, Kandice. Since you're a very experienced meditator (as am I), I'm wondering if you're enjoying the book overall so far or if you find it too basic.

Meryl,

I think the book would be great for beginners. It is very supportive of new meditators and of different styles of meditation. And if it gets more people to try meditation, then I would say it's a success. However for me, it was just too basic. I try to meditate twice a day and definitely at least once every day. I have tried all different styles of meditation and have meditated for years. I was curious to read it as I always enjoy learning something new, but I think it was definitely geared towards a different group of people.

1) The first chapter in this section is called People Might Think I'm Weird. Anybody here worry about this? If so, how did you get over that?

I used to be concerned about this with friends and colleagues, but after some light discussions, I found that people are interested. Perhaps they do think I am weird but I've found my relationships with these folks is now on a different level.

2) This chapter lists the five main hindrances to meditation: sloth/torpor (falling asleep or being bored during a meditation), desire (suddenly wanting to eat, watch TV, or do anything that isn't meditating), aversion (feeling anger or dislike), restlessness/worry (being "full of beans," agitated, or wanting to make plans) and doubt (feeling like meditation isn't a valuable way to be spending your time). Do you experience any of these? Has this chapter helped you get past them?

I have experienced falling asleep when meditating right before bedtime. I meditate earlier in the evening, but still allow it to help me wind down.

3) The next chapter is called Meditation is Self-Indulgent. Do you struggle with feeling like you don't deserve to spend the time it takes to meditate? If so, do you relate to the concept Jeff explains, that you're shooting yourself with a second arrow--not meditating being the first arrow, then feeling badly that you're not doing what you think might help you as the second?

I think self care is very important. You cannot take care of others unless you take care of yourself. I used to think I was too busy to find time to meditate, do yoga or exercise in general. I carve this time out and my family respects it. They have their own time as well, my daughter meditates and my husband listens to music on his ipod or plays guitar as his meditation time.

4) This chapter features a "Giving a Shit About Yourself Meditation." Did you try it? (If no, I highly recommend you do this one--different and very interesting.)

I read through this meditation but I did not do it.

5) The chapter Pandora's Box deals with the fear that meditation might unleash your inner demons. Did you find when you started meditating--or as in Jeff's case (which I found very interesting), some years later--that emotions you had stuffed down start coming up? If so, how did/do you deal with this?

No, I have not experienced this. I am curious if others have.

6) Jeff's calls his strategy for dealing with uncomfortable emotions that arise RAIN: recognize, accept, investigation, non-identification. Did you try this? Are you able to accomplish this--especially not identifying with the emotions coming up?

Maybe I avoid this. I have all kinds of thoughts, but acknowledge them and let them go. I have not had an uncomfortable session yet. Maybe I have not gone deep enough.

7) What do you think of the Welcome to the Party meditation (saying that to every thought that enters during a meditation), and the fact that Jeff created it on the fly? Do you think everything can be fodder for a meditation?
I do think you can use anything to focus for a meditation. I think this is an interesting practice especially if your mind is not settling down. Dan's and Jeff's focus is mindful meditation, I would typically use a phrase if my mind keeps wandering. However, I've also focused on colors going through each chakra as part of a meditation.

8) What do you think of the format of the book, where Dan and Jeff have separate voices and commentary? Does that work, or does it feel too much like two separate books? (I myself like this, because Jeff's sections alone would make the book too bland for me.)

I like both. It feels more like a conversation.

9) What do you think of the bus tour and the experiences Dan writes about from the people they meet as well as the staff on the bus? Are you enjoying these sections? (I personally do enjoy this, because it makes the book a more fun read. But I could do without Dan constantly talking about what a self-centered jerk he thinks he is, because he's starting to convince me.)

Thanks for your insights, Kris.

I'm intrigued by your comment that you focus on the chakra colors. Do you do this as part of your regular meditation practice, or is this something you do when you find your mind wandering?

As for your comment on number 6 that maybe you haven't gone deep enough because you haven't had an uncomfortable session, I don't think that's the case. If you're able to watch your mind and stay mindful without anything troubling come up, perhaps that's just because you don't have a lot of dark, buried emotions. I think that's a good thing. I don't get many negative emotions coming up when I meditate either--just your run-of-the-mill "gotta go plan stuff" runaway thoughts. :)

Meryl wrote: "Thanks for your insights, Kris.

I'm intrigued by your comment that you focus on the chakra colors. Do you do this as part of your regular meditation practice, or is this something you do when you ..."
Hi Meryl, thanks for the reply. I use chakras and colors to keep focused and to stay longer. I do this when I am walking as well. My mind says come on you've got things to do, I find it similar to repeating a mantra. About the uncomfortable sessions, I agree I don't have many dark emotions, good to hear that you don't have that come up when you meditate either.