May I Be Here
Right now I am up. 5:40am. Coffee is brewed and waiting. 14 minute meditation from the Insight Timer App done.
Today the guided meditation talked about repeating your personal vows. I'm glad the moderator gave us an option, because I don't have "vows" but am certainly going to do some research on Buddhist "vows" and see what she means.
Her alternative was using the phrase "may I be..." Her example list started off with kindness, courageous and mine picked up with joyful and brave. But quickly I found the word "here" repeating over and over. May I be here.
Trying to be present, in the moment, is so hard. My personal human need to be mentally accomplishing tasks to help with the future or reminiscing about choices and moments in the past is so strong.
What am I trying to do with this constantly moving forward and backward brain activity? I'm definitely going to do some more research around our brains. They fascinate me.
Such as the fact that this week listening to Tim Ferris interview Michael Pollan, Exploring the new science of psychedelics, I learned that the brain activity on people using monitored and properly supported psychedelics have brain scans results that looked similar to very dedicated meditators. The brain slows and new areas light up. That's my very high-level explanation I took in while chasing kids around the house, doing dishes, and listening to my favorite podcaster, but it didn't surprise me. It would have before the podcast, but by the time Tim and Michael got into the brain research portion, we were already over an hour and a half in to their positive effects and experiences with psychedelics, the history of what happened in the 60's and 70's, and the new opportunities on the possible medical uses for it now.
The connection between Alzheimer's and meditation is hopeful, too. The idea that learning to meditate and practicing it regularly can lead to new synapses in your brain. YES Please! May we all keep continuing to have many strong synapses in our brains.
So thank you Gena for the years of sitting with me. Teaching me to "practice sitting" and showing me the path to patience for whatever opportunity I have in front of me to capture that quiet moment. From carpool lines to those quiet endless (and now missed!) hours of nursing Charlotte and Emma. From your early kid classes sitting with Lola and Ollie to our 4-hour sits in the Tuckahoe, I thank you for being in my life and shining the light on "May I be here."
Lotsa Love,
Leah
