Time to clear off the desktop. Feeling the urge for everything to be clear (and clean? maybe this is the next step - LOL) My internal head workings, the computer desktop, my desk, my room, the kitchen counter–all of it! my car seats and floor. Is this compulsive? But then, what is the drive for a spiritual practice? A connection to the divine, yes? How can Stuff not get in the way? Too assumptive? Fine. At least, how can it not help to be clear? Isn’t that what we want for relationships, projects, goals–Clarity? What is that? being sure of what you want. The desired result understood and strong. Clear. Sure you can see through the windshield with rain or some dirt on it, but isn’t it easier wiped clean? You betcha.

The first of six meditation classes was great fun last week. One of the goals of this method of meditation is being in the world. Action in Contemplation & Contemplation in Action. Perfect for a Project Simplify frame of mind! Simplification of action and thought is reached in slowing down (which is the real reason for my anti-multi-task convictions!) Simplification is the first step to savoring, the first step to delicious enjoyment of the moment. When I got home after the class I had a few bites of some smoked salmon. It was a little tough and at first, I found myself chewing through the toughness. Then I slowed down, and let my taste buds in on the action. Chew, draw some tasty juice over my tongue, swallow. And again, chew, draw some tasty juice over my tongue, swallow. Mmm, yummy!

The instructor, Mary Jane Ryan-Connelly teaches “passage meditation” that she learned from Eknath Easwaran. We are reading from his book entitled, Meditation: A Simple Eight Point Program for Translating Spiritual Ideals into Daily Life. In this non-denominational method, you take a prayer passage or spiritual text and repeat it to yourself. The goal is to give the mind something to do, not to get attached to, or think about, the words, and for the words to sink into the consciousness. Hmm, I don’t think I’m explaining it as well as Mary Jane did last week…