Thursday 3rd May 2012 - Nilambe Meditation Centre

Although this is only one day after my last entry, I have to write it because today has been a bit of a breakthrough. The book that I mentioned yesterday, "Mindfulness in Plain English" has helped me so much. I got to a part where it talks about looking at a pain as it happens - so say for instance while meditating; if I get pain in my legs, (which happens all the time) rather than changing position (which is usually my immediate reaction), I should first try diverting my attention to the "pain" and just watch it "mindfully". In the afternoon there is an unguided yoga session so after realising how energised and good the morning yoga makes me feel, I decided that I would try it on my own today for the first time - normally I just read during this hour. At the end of my session I decided that I would try the seated plank. This is where you have your knees at a 90 degrees angle with your back straight against a wall - so basically sitting down without a chair. So far when I feel a sensation or do a stretch that hurts I usually put my concentration into actually feeling it and give up with the position. Today, however, after reading this section in the book, I took my conscious mind and separated it from actually feeling the pain and just analysed it from afar - the pain instantly numbed. You would never believe it unless you try it but our conscious mind unconsciously feels the pain as well usually and heightens it with all the thoughts of pain. Just stopping the thoughts made such a difference. I left my yoga session feeling so light and peaceful at this first breakthrough, it really gave me the kick i needed and showed me that what I am doing does actually work. That evening in the group meditation session I applied the same technique to the pains in my legs whilst meditating in the seated position. I generally change position first after say 7-minutes and then usually again and again. Today I just diverted my conscious mind from my breathing and onto the pain and managed to stay in the same position for half an hour. The session is an hour but I can only last currently for half an hour. Also in the session I managed quite easily not to fall asleep and still felt energised afterwards - hence this entry! I am full of positivity and looking forwards to what's to come.