ZEN: Your path to enlightenment in New York City

MEDITATION

Meditation is KEY to finding some sort of sanity. Meditation teaches us how to let go of our conditioned thinking and fall into a deeper relaxation, connect with our “truth” and relax into a deep stillness.

Well- that all sounds NICE but…..

If you’ve ever tried to meditate in NYC, you know how difficult it is. The only open space that I have in my apartment is the size of a toilet seat and is crammed between my;living room, “kitchen”, sink, dog, chair, TV, bedroom. Yes, it’s all really that close to each other. Your first instinct is to go outside……another think that you CANNOT DO. What are you going to meditate on 8th ave, or on the subway platform? I think not.

Unless you’re really comfortable with yourself, going into a deep meditation in a park or some place public is generally difficult to do. You find yourself blinking open your eyes to see if anyone is pointing and laughing. Not zen. So the solution?? Find a meditation center.

Guided meditation is sometimes EXACTLY what a New Yorker needs because when you’re in a classroom, you can’t decide to return that follow up call on your Blackberry. When you’re out of your home you aren’t going to get as easily distracted and start start doing the dishes instead. Plus, the energy of a meditation center FORCES (in the most zen/nonviolent way, to CHILL OUT. To  “leave the day at the door” and with the assistance of some Swami, to breathe.

ZEN PROVERB

To a mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders

Chuang-tzu

ZEN PROVERB

From the withered tree, the flower blossoms.

SUGGESTED READING:

• A New Earth- Eckhart Tolle (I know, Orpah said it first, but whatevs.)
• When Things Fall Apart- Pema Chodron
• How To Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life- The Dalai Lama
• Why is God Laughing?- Deepak Chopra
• Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously- Osho
• EVERTHING by Thich Nhat Hanh

ZEN PROVERB

Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself.

SET THE MOOD

Usually when someone says “set the mood” they are attempting to have some sort of orgasm by the end of the evening. They are WOOING a lover. Well, the same going for “wooing” your inner peace.

A lot of people can’t make it to a meditation center and some of you may find that uncomfortable. So, if you think you’re going to wind down at home you MUST set the mood and in this case that doesn’t involve a large goblet of red wine. If your apartment looks like a dorm and the only scent is your neighbors Chinese takeout, you’re going to have a problem.

Setting the mood means CREATING A SPACE. Even if that space is just a corner. Collecting things that trigger a sense of calm; candles, incense, cozy blankets and pillows. Gather pictures of things that inspire you or remind you of your true INNER nature (if a picture of George Michael does that for you, then so be it.) Whatever it is, you have to put an effort into creating it. That is the MOST important part if you want to reflect/meditate/whatever you want to call it, at home.

Buddha means “Awakened One” or “Enlightened One”

Shiva means “Auspicious One”

Buddha says....

“To enjoy good health, to bring happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to enlightenment and all wisdom and virtue with naturally come to him.”

BUDDHA