Time: 8:11am
What: 20 minutes seated practice
Focus: Third Foundation / Exercises 13 - 15 (Sati-)
Loving-kindness meditation...
When the mind is scattered, [s]he discerns that the mind is scattered.
This morning was just that. Intention was loving-kindness meditation. Practice was noticing the mind as scattered and wandering. Starting with the first, second, and then third foundation, and then opening into metta meditation. May I be happy. May I be at ease. May I be free from suffering. Pause. Feel. Wander, wander, wander.
Noticed moments where the rhythm of the phrase continued in the background of mental activity. Started repeating phrases that weren't the designated phrases. May I be safe. May I be healthy. May I be free from... [Insert random thought, plan, memory here]. What? Where was I? Pause. Feel. May I be happy. May I be at ease. May I be free from suffering.
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Side note: Can I tell you how helpful listening to this lecture was?! All you MYTT folks out there, check it out!
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Have been reflecting on the micro-practices and bells of mindfulness. The added element of puppy feeding, walking, and cleaning has taken the wind out of the sails of morning micro-practices (preparing coffee and morning teeth brushing). I have yet to notice a subway chime or a siren, though I know they're out there!
On a more successful (if one were judging practice in those terms... which I'm not... ha ha) note, the puppy training/discipline as a bell of mindfulness has been very helpful. Whether it is a breath before the firm command or afterward, it has created a little bit of space, love, and softness in the oftentimes frustrating in its consistency puppy discipline.
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Last but not least, practiced walking meditation (10 minutes) on the walk home. Walking through the gravel and leaf-strewn trail in the lamp-lit forest. Awareness in the soles of the feet. Gravel under foot. Leaves scrunching. Aware of the weight of the bag in hand and slung over shoulder. Moments of breath awareness. Gaze up. Gaze on the ground. Step. Step. Step.
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