Friday, September 25, 2009

Nothing

I have joined the wonderful Jamie Ridler's Next Chapter as we explore Martha Beck's book, The Joy Diet. Each chapter focuses on an aspect of Joy. This week we were to do NOTHING for 15 each day. Normally I live a rather slow, contemplative life but this week I found myself resisting doing nothing. It was tech week for Heidi Chronicles (we opened last night - standing o - yea!) and there just never seem to be enough hours in the day during tech week. I did sort of force myself to do it but once I did it was lovely. I sat outside on my back deck watching the fountain in our little pond. The splashing of the water and the buzz of the cicadas made a wonderfully hypnotic sound that helped transport me into nothingness. When I caught myself thinking I used the technique mentioned in the book of imagining I was watching a waterfall. When I was a child we visited Niagara Falls and I remember there was a place where you could stand behind the water and watch it falling in front of you. Although it crowded and touristy I remember being transfixed by the immense power and beauty of the water. I used to try to stop my thoughts but I don't do that anymore. Now I just try to notice them, accept them and not attach anything to them. Sometimes I imagine myself as a mountain and my thoughts as clouds. Some days there are no clouds and I get lost in the emptiness. Other days there may be lots of bright, fluffy, cheerful clouds and on still others there may be a thick blanket of dark threatening clouds. I try to remember I am not the clouds, I am the mountain. It usually works during meditation but not often in LIFE. I still need much practice!

I didn't get to my vision card this week. I have a very clear idea of what I will do but I opted to do nothing this week instead while my time is so limited.

15 comments:

Sherry said...

First of all, congrats on the standing "O" for your play. I say The Heidi Chronicles on Broadway eons ago and loved it!!

As for your visualization of Niagara Falls (it's beautiful, isn't it?) and falling water and fountains..we are on the same page there! I found that very helpful to me, and while you had a hectic week and didn't manage this every day, you were mindful of wanting to find time, did manage it once and found it enriching.

Looking forward to discovering truth with you this week.

Lawendula said...

Never mind, a little fountain sounds great to me....
Looking forward to share the TRUTH with you.
Happy weekend!

Kim said...

Ooop, I should have been more clear. I DID do it everyday - meditation is part of my daily routine but I did find myself resistant to it this week as I frequently do when I'm stressed out.

Melita said...

your nothing sounds fabulous! now on to truth :)

Karen D said...

Love the visualization of the waterfall. I also love the OM MANI PADME HUM chant on your sidebar.

WrightStuff said...

I've been imaginging the sound of waves on a beach as mine. It's very tricky though!

Lisa said...

Resistance or not, congratulations on giving yourself the gift of experiencing nothing.... I sometimes use the cloud image, and it's so very helpful. And the waterfall? Pure bliss!

Lexington said...

I loved the way that you approached nothingness. It is quite inspirational.

Hybrid J said...

I love the sound of water ... :) and well done about the tech week for Heidi Chronicles!

The Other Laura said...

I love that you had such a clear vision of a vision card but chose to do nothing instead!

Valli said...

A wonderful visualization of a fountain. Congratulations on your play. Have a great week discovering truth. Here's to you.

Jean said...

Thanks for your kind comments on my blog. I'm glad that my learning could help. :) It's hard in the not-knowing...

Congrats on your standing O and the opening of your play!

Take care and enjoy!

Snap said...

Congratulations on the play. How exciting for you! I love waterfalls and this sounds wonderful. When I'm stressed, meditating is important to "destress", but seems it seems like that's the hardest time to meditate. Learning!

On to Truth!

Silky Hart said...

I LOVE the Heidi Chronicles!!! And, I'm taking the Spill It workshop, too! I love all of these connections in this virutual creative community! How lovely to listen to your waterfall -- water is so soothing.

Pink Heels said...

What a beautiful visualization!!! I will have to try that one myself.

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