My Class Picture
Break into the peace within…hold your attention in silence…and in the world outside…you will ably master the ten thousand things… ~ Lao Tzu
This is my Satsang Group. We meet once a week to study the 8 point meditation program as taught by Sri Eknath Eswaran. All of us mediate for at least 30 minutes once a day, but most meditate twice a day. The type of meditation we do is called Passage Meditation, which is the memorization and then silent repetition of passages written by Saints and Sages of all religions. My personal favorites are those by Lao Tzu.
At our weekly meetings, we focus on a question for discussion, watch an instructional video of Sri Eswaran, and then meditate together. I actually began meditating in the mid 1970s, using Transcendental Meditation (TM), but I fell away from the practice when I had kids. I’ve been using Passage Meditation for about 5 years now.
With TM, I meditated on a mantra, an inconsequential Sanskrit word that we weren’t supposed to speak out loud. With Passage Meditation, the words I repeat are anything but inconsequential and are often profound. Through meditation I drive them deep into my consciousness. I particularly like Passage Meditation because I’m accomplishing 3 things at once when I practice it; I’m meditating and receiving the calming benefits that brings; I’m memorizing lots of passages and strengthening the muscle of the brain; and I’m perfuming myself with prayerful words.
Post Note: To view my real class picture (from high school) go here.
January 11th, 2006 11:06 am
I have only recently started practicing TM. The concept and benefits of Passage Meditation intregues me. I will look more into it.
I am a fan of Lao Tzu. Such simple wisdoms.
January 11th, 2006 11:57 am
TM is a great practice too. It served me well for many years.
January 11th, 2006 3:28 pm
Interesting… I checked out those links. THANKS!
I am a fan of Lao Tzu, also.
January 11th, 2006 8:05 pm
I used Om when I meditated. I know I should start doing it again – but I am so undisciplined about it.
January 11th, 2006 8:19 pm
I wish I had time to meditate! One day I will.:) I checked out your high school picture. You were beautiful (still are)! I have to say, you looked a lot like Suzy there!!!
January 11th, 2006 10:59 pm
I’ve been meditating every day of 2006. It’s only been 11 days, but I already feel the benefits.
p.s. Love your h.s. pic. I wore my hair exactly the same way in mine.
January 12th, 2006 2:24 am
I let my mom convince me to cut my hair before Senior pictures. It was too short. The only thing that saved it was that those black or white velvet things you put in an “off the shoulder” type look for school pictures was no longer the “in” thing. So regular dress clothes were the norm. Thank goodness.
January 12th, 2006 3:05 am
I can only reach an approximation to meditation under the supervision of my yoga instructor. I hope I can someday do it on my own, 15 min is my first goal.
January 13th, 2006 5:59 am
How do you get all the stuff done that you do? Living in the country to get away from it all sound really really busy! 😉
August 11th, 2014 12:48 pm
[…] since passed away. Do you recognize me with mud on my face? To view a more recent class picture go here. My son Josh’s class picture is here. Can you find him in all that green? His close-up […]