MEDITATION
known activities ahead . For breakfast we had plenty of good coffee and teas to choose from , which I enjoyed in solitude out by the pretty courtyard fountain . A wide selection of fruits , yogurt , granola and more was made available in the main kitchen , as well as fresh banana and zucchini breads . I relearned to eat slow , sitting in Noble Silence at full attention , and enjoyed the textures , smells and vivid flavors that came to life in my mouth . They consumed me as much as I consumed them .
Committing yourself to non-speech , and non-communication in general ( no winking , nodding , goofy eye-to-eye grins , or other intentional gesticulations ), was not as scary as I had anticipated . It was actually very fascinating . By participating in Noble Silence , we were focusing our minds and attention towards a deeper level of mindfulness , meditation , and overall awareness . When greg led us through some guided meditations , and there were many , my mind was more capable of concentration on the present , without the distraction of awkward social interactions .
On Saturday morning , 12 hours into the silence ( much of that sleeping ), despite many years of ( irregular ) meditation practice — for the first time ever , I really found my breath ! I was able to focus all my attention on the present moment for what seemed to be the first time . Inhale , “ I am inhaling .” Exhale , “ I am exhaling .” This retreat allowed me to silence all the constant “ noise ” from the eternal circus of my brain . This was not a permanent state . Thoughts are as natural as breathing . They come back . But with Greg ’ s guidance , I was able to note their existence , see them for what they were , and return my attention to just breathing . Inhale . Exhale .
I had no idea that there were so many ways to practice walking meditation . Often when I go for an intentional walk at an average pace , I will practice mindfulness , even bringing my focus on each step while taking in the world around me . But we practiced several , intense walking meditations at this retreat . [ Check out the Gregory Burdulis instructions for a few of those in the next article .]
I ’ ve been on amazing memorable vacations , to Denali in Alaska , the Grand Canyon , and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state . They were worth every last cent . I once participated in an eye-opening spiritual retreat to Oklahoma with my old church youth group , repairing the roofs of dilapidated , Native American housing . But no experience of travel , within or beyond the borders of Indiana , was as soulsoothing and mentally restorative as this Deep Down Quiet in nearby Bloomington , Indiana .
For now , perhaps from now on , wherever I might be traveling , I take with me the tools to realize that here is where I am supposed to be . Typing this sentence is what I am supposed to be doing .
Here , now , breathe . ■
Throughout the weekend we were taught more than 15 different meditations . I can ’ t quite count them all from memory . Not all of them were sitting cross-legged . Some were eating . Some standing . Some walking blindfolded outdoors , led by a silent guide . Each meditation had similar elements , often focusing on our breathing , the present moment , but each was quite unique in purpose or method and exquisite to experience . As I mentioned earlier , I spent an eternity eating one dried cranberry .
INDIANA & YOGA MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 33