I did complete the Meeting Aesclepius meditation. I found the idea of meeting with a wise mentor to be a good one. I wonder, honestly, though, about the benefits of meeting with a wise mentor that my imagination is placing in front of me. It fell flat a little. I feel like I want something more – something more real. I (think I) understand that there is a theory at work here which seems to believe that all the wisdom that we need we can access within our own consciousness somehow. But that feels like hubris to me…? Maybe?
On the other hand, some of the images provided were helpful. The idea of a light purifying my mind at the beginning is one that I found helpful. The role of image to train our minds cannot be overemphasized. So I’m on the fence when it comes to my reaction to the specific exercise.
Some of my meditative practices for the week were a little more directed, and a little more concrete. They suit me better. They engage my mind, but not to the point of over-activating it. They direct my thoughts, but don’t lead them around by the nose. I’m an Orthodox Christian and this week was our Holy Week. Part of the practice of Holy Week involves attending church daily. Most people can’t do this. For the first time in my life, I decided to take the week off work and go to every service available. It was fantastic. The darkness, the stillness, the readings, the engagement of both mind and body in the memorial of that week… it was very meditative and healing for me. I see at work there the same theory and practice that I see at work here: the intentional habituation of mind and body to a more robust level of health than what is normally seen.
I think that no matter what profession you’re in, trying to teach someone else what you yourself do not know is foolish. And by “know”, I don’t mean book knowledge. I mean head knowledge. Experience. I’d rather get directions from someone who’s been where I’m going rather than someone who’s only looked at a map. If I myself am not working towards the same goal as my clients, how on earth can I honestly propose to lead them?
Good for you for doing committing to something that you feel so strongly about and making it through. I bet you felt empowered and peaceful when the week was over.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it's hard to teach someone what I call common sense. Stuff that I just know or figure out can't always be explained (which is why I don't think I'd ever make a really great teacher). If I could figure out how to mind meld with someone and show them how I know things, it would make it much easier.
It seems that you have found an alternate way of expanding your mind toward spiritual flourishing. It sounds like you had an interesting experience during your Holy Week. I find it interesting that you felt that services provided, were meditative and healing. I suppose if you are able to expand your consciousness in more than one way.
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