When this phrase, "pilgrimage into mind", came into my mind, I thought for sure it's a cliche. But, to my surprise, a Google search came back with no results! Although, "pilgrimage into the mind" returned seven items about meditation. And the blog address pilgrimageintomind.blogspot.com is also not taken - so I took it for now!
I'm now convinced this phrase is not a cliche and I can safely write thoughts about it, without being ridiculed (not that that would have stopped me anyway).
One of my favourite things to do, which I have fewer and fewer chances to do as life gets more and more hectic, is to sit somewhere quiet and do absolutely nothing. And I mean nothing. And I don't mean sleeping. I mean sit there semi-consciously, and simply do nothing but think, with no distractions; no television; no baby crying; no telephone ringing; no Blackberry messages; no meetings; nothing. Ok, perhaps some music.
I would love this kind of "me time" regularly to explore those thoughts that I have set aside. I believe meditation is one activity that many of us, me the most guilty of all, don't do enough of.
As I write this I'm trying to think what those thoughts might be and as soon as a thought comes up about some distant memory, it gets bombarded out of existence with a dozen other "more pressing" thoughts. Pathetic, isn't it?
In any pilgrimage into mind, I would not set an agenda (this is not a company meeting for goodness' sake). I would just let my mind do its thing; let it explore whatever thoughts come, no matter how ridiculous it might seem before or afterwards. I hope to use each pilgrimage to learn a little more about myself. What is the first thing I see when I close my eyes? What is the last? Do the thought images get clearer over time like they once did?
Perhaps I will set a weekly timeslot, say every Friday night, for my pilgrimage and write about it at my newly found blog, pilgrimageintomind.blogspot.com. Let's see what happens... Perhaps you would like to do the same and write about it too? (What's another writing prompt, right?)
For other thoughts jump here: Sunday Scribblings
Friday, January 16, 2009
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10 comments:
a good friend of mine who works full time, has two small children and a house and husband to look after manages to find an hour each night to meditate.... An hour! And because she was brought up (she's Chinese) meditating and doing yoga, it's become part of her daily routine like washing dishes. I so admire that. I one asked her how she could meditate for an hour when I had the most difficult time keeping my mind still without thoughts for even a few minutes. She told me baby steps. Start with a few minutes each day and build on that. Yet my restless disposition always short circuits this. This is MY path to learning... How to still this very analytical, thinking mind.
I have never tried meditating. I tried to be hypnotised once and it didn't work so I don't think I'm a candidate for meditation either.
I'm famous for having once said, "meditation makes me nervous." I suspect, however, that I do a lot of it, just not in an organized manner. I call it daydreaming, but since it frequently has no content, I guess I'll have to admit to meditation.
Excellent idea. I've gotten away from meditation but was thinking that going back to it would be an admirable goal. I'll be watching. :)
So this inspired you to create a new blog, how wonderful. And to make a date with yourself for quiet time, wonderful too. I wish you the best on your pilgrimage.
my "quiet time" is every single morning usually before dawn & i cherish it. i look forward to the fruits of yours...
How right you are John! You have reminded me to do what I use to do all the time, and when I did explore my mind -- my life was so much more comfortable, on many levels. I was so much nicer.
I shall look forward to reading about your pilgrimage.
Hi there, I'm gmarie..I like your choice. Getting away to think and contemplate is most therapeutic..I think it's vital-
Hi John, I love your take on the pilgrimage prompt and sincerely hope that this works for you. Meditation is a great thing, if only I could think of nothing...
Terrific idea for yourself. A quiet place for your "me time." Best of luck and I hope that such meditation, etc. will rejuvenate you.
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