Mindfulness and Meditation

I haven't been visiting this space lately since it's been quite an adjustment to being a full-time seminarian. Life at Fuller was a bit easier when I was only going part-time; I had time to read everything that was assigned (and I read almost everything, save 30 pages for my Prophets class that wasn't going to show up on the final exam). One of the benefits of being a part-time student was the ease of having leisure time. If I needed a break in the midst of my reading and paper-writing, I took breaks for quite liberal amounts of time.

Life is different at PLTS, especially as a full-timer. This is one of the first times in my life I have to be selective about what I'm going to read; there just aren't enough hours in a day. I love what I'm learning, but in order to complete all of the reading and assignments, I won't have time to spend with the husband, eat, sleep, etc. That's not a healthy way to go through seminary. I'm also more aware of self-care this time around. It was good to be a part-time student at Fuller, because I was able to take the time for self-care. At PLTS, I'm learning that I need to make time for self-care.

Part of my explorations in self-care involves meditation. I used to do yoga on a regular basis when I lived in Glendale (it was wonderful there was a yoga class taught at church!). While I've been slacking on my yoga time, I'm becoming more aware of the need to meditate and become more aware of the environment around me. This is definitely an exercise for me, as my mind is usually running a million miles a minute with the things I need to do and the tasks I need to accomplish. I'm discovering my mind needs a break and needs to focus on relaxing.

My new focus on relaxing comes from the practice of mindfulness, of being more aware of the environment around you. Sights, sounds, smells, textures, and thinking about the here and now are practicing mindfulness. The mind is not permitted to wander to task completion or other thoughts; the focus of the mind is to be in the present. So I leave you with an exercise in mindfulness called "The Raisin Meditation."

Take two raisins. With the first raisin, do what you would automatically do; eat it. Quickly pop it in your mouth, maybe bite it once and a speedy swallow. And then look for the next one. For the second raisin it will be different!!

Hold the second raisin by the thumb and index finger. Look at it carefully. Note the creases. Rotate it and continue to look at it. Press it a little and feel the texture and transfer it to the other hand. Repeat the process. Now slowly bring to the mouth and place it on the tongue. Roll it around in the mouth and keep your self in the sensation. Move the raisin to the left, right and under the tongue. Repeat this process. All in slow motion. Now slowly take a bite – very very slowly. Feel the juice slowly coming out and relish it. Now a second bite – in slow motion. Continue this until it has been completely chewed and almost dissolved. Now slowly swallow it. Feel the emptiness in your mouth. Just close your eyes and savor this experience.