Trying to meditate 2

Set timer.  10 minutes or 15 – up from the 5 you started at.  Rush to the living room couch, grab the blanket you pull over your head and start.

First with a prayer.  The Lord’s prayer.  The one you know throughout your being.

Then breathe.  Breathe in, two, three, four and out, two, three, four. 

(You know this breathing pattern is one you’ve retained from Lamaze classes and employ whenever you need to calm or slow down.)  In, 2, 3, 4 (nostrils); out, 2, 3, 4 (mouth).

Then the sound:  ommmm, Ommmm.

Doesn’t work for long so you switch to words:

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  Love – 2, 3, 4, love 2, 3, 4.



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  Joy – 2, 3, 4, joy 2, 3, 4.



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  Peace -2, 3, 4, peace 2, 3, 4.



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  Health (yes, must have that) -2, 3, 4, health, 2, 3, 4.



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  Safety – 2, 3, 4, safety, 2, 3, 4.



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  Back to love.

(Wait… I didn’t pray for the thing I really want and need or prays not the right word… I didn’t meditate on the thing I really want, need.)

Abundance!  2, 3, 4, abundance – 2, 3, 4.

(Come on, Candelaria, say what you really mean!)

Money – 2, 3, 4, money – 2, 3, 4.

(Important clarification –  I don’t want money to come because of anyone’s misfortune. Just hitting the lottery or a publishing a book that sells or something like that.)

Breathe in, 2 3, 4 and out, 2, 3, 4.

Just breathe.

(Interruptions – a car coming down the street, a bird’s call, don’t forget to look up directions to the meeting later.  Shiver-me-timbers, I’m cold.  Pull blanket closer.)

Go back to breathing.

Love in, 2, 3, 4 and love out 2, 3, 4.

(Eat, Pray, Love author?  What’s her name again?  Oh, yes, Elizabeth Gilbert.  Ketut, the Balinese healer she studied with, said to “smile with your whole being” as a way to meditate.  When did I smile last?  How to smile with my whole being? Have I ever done that?)

Smile in, 2, 3, 4 and smile out 2, 3, 4.

BEEEEEEPPPPPPP!  Meditation over for today.

Try again tomorrow.

Scratch that.

DO again

and again

and again.