HOME & GARDEN GUIDE #2 WORDPLAY MEDITATION


then I’ll say, “Why yes, I medi- tate every day.” I tried many styles of medi-


tation


practice; my preferred habit is Mindfulness - practic- ing being present, awake, at- tentive to whatever is happen- ing right here, right now, in this precious moment of being alive.


SANTA ROSA, CA. ~ [med-ih-tay-shun] “Do you meditate?” asks an innocent neighbor.


May 2015 • 16 by Marcia Singer • lovearts@att.net


crazy noises while systemati- cally shaking out every imag- inable body part.


Afterwards, If he means sitting


uncomfortably cross-legged on a mat with a hard cush- ion tucked under my behind, trying to quiet my chattering ‘monkey mind,’ stop thinking for a few seconds – then I have to say, “Not often.” But if he means contemplating an image of a wise, all knowing, smil- ing Buddha, or Sufi dervishes whirling into altered, ecstatic inner states –or simply listen- ing fully to birds in my garden,


Breathing. Tasting the chocolate. Smelling the ruby red rose. Feeling the sensa- tions of a kiss on my skin… Mindfulness meditation is now the “#1 health-booster” in the U.S. - Go America! But any intentional practice that creates the experience of openness, spaciousness, connectedness, of emptying myself of accu- mulated crud, while fi lling me with appreciation and wonder - is meditation, to me. And to ‘not me.”


This open-ended approach took root in the 80’s. My fi rst formal workshop began with a “chaotic meditation” practice. Participants were instructed to stand and make wild and


I felt remarkably calm, rested, ready to sit quietly in silence for the duration, minding my breath, letting thoughts drift through the skies of my mind. On the other hand, in the 90s, I endured a seriously formal, traditional Zen class, practicing walking verrrrrry slowlllllly, circling the room. I valued the mindful training, but it wasn’t a natural cuppa meditation tea for me.


Practice styles then, can be


formal or informal, still or dy- namic/moving, masculine or feminine –or combinations. On a recent sunny Sunday morn- ing, I headed to Sebastopol to a dancing meditation. It had been two years since my last class. I was feeling a bit self- conscious, not recognizing anyone there. I located a spot on the large wood fl oor in-be- tween two other early “body prayer” arrivers and began


Value Night Special! Two Hours of Bowling + Shoe Rental


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Starts at 9:30pm


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707-546-6835 www.doubledeckerlanes.com


707-585-0226 Details at:


300 Golf Course Dr. -Rohnert Park, CA 94928 16 • May 2015 • UPBEAT TIMES A suburban mother’s role is to deliver children obstetrically once, and by car forever after. ~Peter De Vries


my warm-up stretching. Clos- ing my eyes, bearing witness, I found my breath, letting the gentle music move my physical instrument and ‘me.’ Emotions loosening, tensions dissolving, I swayed and stretched down to through soles of my aging yoga feet, embracing my surround- ings. Just the soul medicine I was needing! Two hours and many dances later, I felt bliss- fully tranquil within, at Home again in my world, and part of kindred community. The easiest way to meditate


is to start with your breathing. Just notice however it is, stay with that. If a thought or physi- cal discomfort distracts you, simply (if not easily) return to your breathing. Just Be that. In the middle of a board meet- ing, an argument, making love, shopping for groceries, come home to your breath, your exis- tence, your preciousness. Here’s a WordPlay question for you: What do these words ... continued on page 22


Cloverdale Arts Alliance to offer Wine Appreciation Workshops


Cloverdale, CA. ~ The Clover- dale Arts Alliance is pleased to announce a series of four Wine Appreciation Workshops be- ginning April 9 and continuing April 23, May 14 and May 28. The workshops will run from 7:00-9:00 pm at the Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery, located at 204 North Cloverdale Blvd. This fun, educational and in-


teractive four-session program will take a look at varietals, re- gions, methodology and more! All levels of wine expertise are welcome.


The setting will be


casual and welcoming. Con- tact: Mark Tharrington, Pro- gram Manager. (707) 894-8500 mark@tharringtonsponsorship.com


“Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky, we fell them down and turn them into paper, that we may record our emptiness.”


Kahlil Gibran


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