Prep for Inactive Work-- It is Meditation (Sorry for the misspellllling.)
When I sit for meditation, I take the time to move first. Even if the movement is just rolling through the vertebra in the neck and movement through the stuck places with the breath; I get the chitta vritti (mind chatter) out of the way through the breath and movement. I find compassion for my body as it prepares for the work that is to come next. I create a clear channel for reception. I open my muscles and flesh.
Historically, Yoga in India was not just asana (poses). Yoga was meditation, prayer and chanting as well. The compartmentalization of Yoga and the creation of brands have, without a doubt, forced many a beginner to tell their teacher they are not flexible enough; they can not get into the “pretzel pose,” Yoga Nidrasana, which makes Yoga look like circus fun. The segregation of Yoga in studios is definitely one of the many ways practitioners have come to teach one type of asana over another, chant or focus. It is one of the reasons that prayer is left out of the studio and often encouraged behind the scenes at home or in church.
In the Bhagavad Gita as Arjuna comes to grips with his spiritual duty to fight, Krishna advises Arjuna to remember there is an active work and inactive work. Both must be accomplished.
In the Bible, the book of Psalms makes it clear that meditating on God’s precepts is appropriate for study and focus on the Word. (Psalms 119:15)
The Buddha taught many types of mediation. These meditations were designed to help the student overcome a problem or psychological state.
As my study of various spiritual texts evolves, I realize that the idea of mediation is presented to all people in some form. Any good teacher would want there student to meditate on their behavior, their class material and their overall progress. Educational studies have been done proving the importance on student reflection as it pertains to student understanding. Each one points to reflection, i.e. meditation, as a necessity.
I have done other blogs on what meditation is, but this is not for those wondering its purpose. The movement before meditation or as meditation is where Yoga is understood. With this, one can make Yoga happen constantly, consistently. One can make the study and focus of God clearer if that is something desired.
The following is instruction for pre-meditation movement and for a brief five minute meditation intended to shake/breathe out distractions before the inactive work is to be done. Inactivity is not always a choice. The pre-meditation movement is for all people, regardless of the amount of movement you have at your disposal, and the meditation is for all walks and affiliations; Yoga is for all.
Sat Ra
Namaste
Begin sitting or lying comfortably with your palms facing up by the sides of your body. Recognize what your body values as comfort. Ask what your toes, ankles, legs feel. If there is tightness, and movement is accessible, wiggle the area that is tight. If you can not move this part of your body, use your breath and awareness to move your attention to the tightness. Create the picture in your mind of the breath moving into your toes. Breathe deep enough so that you bring literal, internal movement to your toes.
Continue to work your way up through the body. Ask each part of your body what it feels. Become the observer. If movement is possible, gently shake out the tightness. Know that even though there may be no immediate relief, gentle movement is necessary for all bodies. Frustration does not show gratitude for what is. If you lose sight of your purpose, reconnect and start again. Be compassionate with yourself. Remember, we are here to prepare for the inactive work.
Be sure to work your way up through the body. Include the organs if you like. Include the heart. Ask your brain what it feels.
Begin to sit still. Find length and grounding qualities with simple movements (breath-focused or physical movement) in the neck and the pelvic bones. Breathe naturally with your eyes closed and your body relaxed. Meditate on gratitude for movement, or sit for an even more specific purpose. Just be sure to know what you are sitting for before you set to inaction. Start your timer when you know of your focus; Stick with it throughout the five minute set.
Historically, Yoga in India was not just asana (poses). Yoga was meditation, prayer and chanting as well. The compartmentalization of Yoga and the creation of brands have, without a doubt, forced many a beginner to tell their teacher they are not flexible enough; they can not get into the “pretzel pose,” Yoga Nidrasana, which makes Yoga look like circus fun. The segregation of Yoga in studios is definitely one of the many ways practitioners have come to teach one type of asana over another, chant or focus. It is one of the reasons that prayer is left out of the studio and often encouraged behind the scenes at home or in church.
In the Bhagavad Gita as Arjuna comes to grips with his spiritual duty to fight, Krishna advises Arjuna to remember there is an active work and inactive work. Both must be accomplished.
In the Bible, the book of Psalms makes it clear that meditating on God’s precepts is appropriate for study and focus on the Word. (Psalms 119:15)
The Buddha taught many types of mediation. These meditations were designed to help the student overcome a problem or psychological state.
As my study of various spiritual texts evolves, I realize that the idea of mediation is presented to all people in some form. Any good teacher would want there student to meditate on their behavior, their class material and their overall progress. Educational studies have been done proving the importance on student reflection as it pertains to student understanding. Each one points to reflection, i.e. meditation, as a necessity.
I have done other blogs on what meditation is, but this is not for those wondering its purpose. The movement before meditation or as meditation is where Yoga is understood. With this, one can make Yoga happen constantly, consistently. One can make the study and focus of God clearer if that is something desired.
The following is instruction for pre-meditation movement and for a brief five minute meditation intended to shake/breathe out distractions before the inactive work is to be done. Inactivity is not always a choice. The pre-meditation movement is for all people, regardless of the amount of movement you have at your disposal, and the meditation is for all walks and affiliations; Yoga is for all.
Sat Ra
Namaste
Begin sitting or lying comfortably with your palms facing up by the sides of your body. Recognize what your body values as comfort. Ask what your toes, ankles, legs feel. If there is tightness, and movement is accessible, wiggle the area that is tight. If you can not move this part of your body, use your breath and awareness to move your attention to the tightness. Create the picture in your mind of the breath moving into your toes. Breathe deep enough so that you bring literal, internal movement to your toes.
Continue to work your way up through the body. Ask each part of your body what it feels. Become the observer. If movement is possible, gently shake out the tightness. Know that even though there may be no immediate relief, gentle movement is necessary for all bodies. Frustration does not show gratitude for what is. If you lose sight of your purpose, reconnect and start again. Be compassionate with yourself. Remember, we are here to prepare for the inactive work.
Be sure to work your way up through the body. Include the organs if you like. Include the heart. Ask your brain what it feels.
Begin to sit still. Find length and grounding qualities with simple movements (breath-focused or physical movement) in the neck and the pelvic bones. Breathe naturally with your eyes closed and your body relaxed. Meditate on gratitude for movement, or sit for an even more specific purpose. Just be sure to know what you are sitting for before you set to inaction. Start your timer when you know of your focus; Stick with it throughout the five minute set.
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