The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Hello MIP family,
I was wondering and would like to hear from those of you who have more experience. I am about to leave for a 10-days meditation course (Vipassana). It is a retreat which purpose is to look within and learn to be in the moment, accept what is, experiencing truth and peace of mind. Therefore no speaking, no interaction, no reading, nor writing....simply sitting in peace and focusing. To me it will simply be the logic consequence of the AlAnon program and the 12 steps and the application of our slogans. So I'm looking forward to that experience. Also I have found out that many of my troubles as a co-dependent started off in my mind, much more than at the outside circumstances. So I'm looking forward to start on training my mind, so I can control it better , rather than be controlled by my disturbing thoughts.
Thanks for sharing all along, it is now 1 year i have joined the program, and if anybody would have told me how much change can be done and lived in such short time, I wouldn't have believed it.
Progress, not perfection.
Please, if any of you have taken that road down meditation lane, I would be happy to read your share, what it has done for you. I i will gladly share my experience, if and when I finish those 10 days course.
Be happy, be yourself.
Meditation has been a great tool for m in Step 11. It has brought great self compassion and self awareness. My best to you for a wonderful retreat!!
I went to a meeting this morning. It was good and I talked with a friend who is a social worker. She has been taking some classes on the body awareness kind of meditation in which we are encouraged to pay attention to where things are "held" in our bodies when we have that strong reaction to situations. Giving it a place, a shape, color, texture and sensation (it's like a dark hard brick in my chest or its a grey wiggly wormy type feeling and moving around in my gut). We try to then observe it, not fight it and bring our idea of a HP's compassion toward it. (I picture it sitting on a bench right next to me because it feels easier to be WITH it then & I then wrap it in HP's love and care--so I am "picturing all aspects of a loving HP where the problem seems to be" as one wise minister used to say--cuz "HP is bigger than this"). Once we can do that we can be less caught up in the stories of what is happening or has happened & move more into making space inside us for those reactions. We are bringing more awareness and compassion to ourselves and those challenging parts of us, parts of our lives. Finding a way to be with and not fight those feelings so much encompasses the feeling into the larger WHOLE of our lives, so we aren't so identified with the shame or fear or whatever. And if we have another couple of minutes it feels really helpful to send that same compassionate thought out to all other beings who may be having a similar challenge in their lives, "May we all be held in loving presence , may we be find a lasting peace and awaken to the truth of who we are beyond these appearances of lack"
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Wishing all the best on your recovery journey, Luv
Meditation has been a great help for me. I discovered it at a very stressful time in my life and it made a huge difference. It has now become part of my daily life. I'm envious of your 10 day course! I hope it's a wonderful, enlightening experience for you. Please do share when you get back. " Be happy, be yourself." Yes!
I found SRF and follow meditation through that. It is really good for my energy levels and physical health. I am more awake, eat healthier, and have been sleeping better.. I also think it helps you embrace that part of al anon that says to live and let live.. :) Have fun
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Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
As I have been a practicing Buddhist for 27 years, I meditate every day twice a day.
My hope for you would be that you would continue this path after the 10 days. Meditation is very good on all levels, Spiritually and physically and helps expand your life force and your compassion.
Can any of you recommend a good meditation tool, CD, or book that I can start with? I was just asking my cousin about this yesterday(she is an Intuitive Medium) and she does a lot of work with meditation, numerology, and Native American traditions. While she and I are very different in our faiths(I am a Christian and she practices everything from Buddhism to Native American things) we are very connected spiritually and I love her feedback. She is always filled with positive and loving words and faith doesn't matter in those instances to me. So, I always go to her when I need to find resources, but she hasn't gotten back to me on Facebook yet, LOL!
I am practicing meditation and it helps. Sometimes meditation clears my mind, sometimes gives clarity, and sometimes it is being aware of the thoughts that enter and observing their presence and passing; so, for me it is helpful to think of being present as a way of letting go rather than control. I hope this helps- you are so lucky for the retreat- enjoy!!!
Thank you all for your feedback and encouraging words, I am actually excited for this new experience, and giving myself time... a bit happy and a bit anxious at the same time. But I have done a lot of personal work in the past years, so I know that I know myself quite well, so there is actually nothing to worry about...lol..i guess it's a bit the fear of the unknown. I will get back to you after the retreat to reflect on it again. Thanks for being, all, and i wish you courage and hope. sincerely, happily!
