A bit of a fright ......
On Thu, 12 January, 2017 - 10:54
Recently I had a high blood pressure reading from my doctor. It gave me a bit of a fright. I’m used to having a reading that sits right down in the healthy range. The only significant change in my regime has been a complete loss of daily cardio vascular exercise as a result of ceasing full time teaching work at the end of 2015 and losing the 45 minute cycle workout of the return trip from Coogee to Bellevue Hill.
So this morning as part of the training regime my fellow community member and fitness coach Rulon has put together for me I was running along the clifftops here in Bonny Hills on The Central Coast. I’m up here for an overnights stay with my guitar teacher and ……
I felt I got a good look into the machinations of my mind ……… and I made the connection to the mind we work with in meditation.
As my fairly fitness lacking body was pushed along the bush track in thick, humid conditions I moved though a kaleidoscope of mental states; exhilarated, fearful, dogged, challenged and free. Even to head out of the comfortable beach-house and put in the effort required to kick-start my program meant I had to take myself on and stay in contact with my deeper aspirations; a triumph of vision over immediate comfort.
And it is this same mind I meet in meditation. My mind’s habits need to be taken on, worked with and seduced toward a vision of self-control, tranquility and freedom. At times they buck and dig their heels in and direct me toward lots of other far more interesting and ‘important’ matters ………. but I know from long experience that this is not in my best interests …… the mind I want is like a powerful, well trained horse ……. its energy is available, can be directed and sustained and conduces to my own and others true happiness.
In my fitness work I am establishing habits that will serve me well. In meditation I am doing the same thing.
Hope you can join us for meditation this week:
Thursday 7 - 8.30 pm
Sunday 8 - 9 am
Metta
Padmadakini and Dharmalata
