Meditation 101

Some people thing meditation is a private thing. I am not one of those people.
I went to church tonight for a class in meditation for beginners. I think I stated before that I used to do some yoga and meditation in the '70's and a few unsuccessful times since then, but last January was my first REAL lesson in meditation at the Amma Center in A2.
At church tonight Linda, our pastor, had us recite the Lord's Prayer in our heads while sitting in chairs in the dark , quiet sanctuary. She said it would keep our minds occupied. When we tired of reciting, we would sit in the silence of being until the mind again wandered in thought at which time we would begin reciting in our heads again. This continued for half an hour. I missed the first two lessons and tonight she was encouraging people to use a mantra instead of reciting a prayer. She said a mantra can be called upon during the day at need. It would become a symbol of bringing the attention away from thought into being. Away from ego, into presence.
I wasn't ready for a mantra, but asked her if Namaste was appropriate. She said it was.

I sat up straight, felt myself rest into the chair. Breathed in/out, relaxed hands and feet. Began reciting Lord's prayer. For a few times I said it straight. I use the Catholic 'tresspasses' instead of the Unity 'debts'. Then I said, 'suffer us not to be led into temptation, and deliver us from EGO.' Then I said the 12 STEPS, then 'I have made you Polestar of my life', chant. Then I visualized a shiny star at each Chackra Center.
Suddenly, my attention shifted. I felt my hands laying in my lap. I felt very alert. I panicked and my throat tightened. I had to cough, but not in this quiet stillnes. I could see a water fountain(or bubbler) not 10 steps away. I couldn't sit there and get over it. It just wasn't going to stop quietly. I got up, got the drink, took my necklace off and started over.
Was that my inner being? Who the hell knows.