Focused Meditation
First Travel Memory: Road Trip!
May 7, 2016
Atypical Travel: A Journey to the Heart
June 16, 2016
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of visiting India. A trip which resulted in a complete, spiritual renewal. I engaged in life-changing yoga sessions and practiced meditation that awarded me with mind-altering manifestations.
Ahem <clearing throat>
Ok, ok…looking back on what really happened in India, about the only thing life-changing was how bad my stomach pain was while I had food poisoning. And, while on the topic of food poisoning, as I spent time in my own personal seated meditation lounge aka the bathroom, I couldn’t help but thinking over and over to myself:
“People often visit India and end up spending hours upon hours seated in deep, focused thought…but this isn’t exactly what I expected.”
Not the meditation I planned for but all was not lost
Aside from a few pounds and some electrolytes, sickness was not the only thing I managed to take away from my journey. For the first time in my life, during this trip to India, I came across an instrument called a singing bowl…and the music that flowed from that tiny metallic bowl is something I can still hear echoing through the walls of my memory at this very moment.
Each size sings a different song
Close your eyes now and imagine the sound
Ding
Diiiiiing
Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing
Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggg
Just thinking of that sound resonating through a room brings the peace of that initial melodic moment. It touched me. It sang to me. It stuck with me—so much so that after my return from India I simply couldn’t forget the calm found from the song of the singing bowls, which eventually resulted in the purchase my own personal singing bowl and adopting the habit of daily meditation. Still a novice to this art, I can honestly say that the early results of short, morning meditation sessions have given me more energy throughout the day, resulted in more productive days, and truly cleared my head while allowing for new thoughts to clearly flow in. Again, by no means do I consider myself an expert and I haven’t dedicated thousands of hours to research the benefits of meditation, but sometimes the simple silence of self can be the most soothing form of therapy.
Take a seat.
Close your eyes.
Focus on every breath.
And let your mind be free.
44 Comments
Meditation! I haven’t really tried it, on purpose at least. Usually it’s just in the bathroom haha!! But seeing as how it affected you, especially the more energy part, I think I’ll give it a try soon!
Bathroom meditation is also needed from time to time as well 🙂
A place I would love to visit as i envision myself truly enjoying the peace and calmness of the surroundings. Practiced meditation once aNd sadly wasnt successful. Perhaps I need more concentration.
Definitely give it a go again..once is surely not enough.
I had a professor before that thought us how to meditate. He’s a psychology major. He’s really good at it. He just made us a story, kept our eyes closed, and let us imagine freely. It was like a heaven experience on earth. Incredibly refreshing..!
http://www.thejerny.com
That’s how the classroom experience should be…Taking your minds to a completely different level!
This sounds like a very enlightening experience, apart from the illness of course. I think meditation is a great way to keep a healthy mind and soul.
I’ve taken part in this journey to midfulness and I know this music bowl sound o so well! I totally get you and your experience! x
http://tomboychronicle.com
Sorry to hear about sickness but the meditation is a great remedy! I didn’t know the singing bowl vibrations have a relaxing and calming effect!
I love the sound of those bowls, but I’m trying to wonder where I would’ve heard it as I’ve never been to India. Maybe in a movie? I don’t know. Sorry you got sick, I get sick on 95% of my trips so I know what that’s like!
Wow 95%?!? Those 5% of trips without sickness must be amazing then 🙂
Eg, thank you so much for this beautiful post! I have followed what you said in your last paragraph and I did set my mind free for a moment.
That’s great to hear that it was beneficial for you. Hopefully you can make it a regular practice!
In this rushed world that we live, every now & then it’s important we slow down and feel our inner self. I’m glad you found yours with the singing bowl. I’ve been intending to get myself to meditate, this post is probably a good start.
I think this post is a great start…then again, I might be a bit biased 😛
something magical happens and even I myself can’t explain it.. you have to feel the sound just to understand it (at heart)
I agree.
I was drinking my tea when I started reading this… I should have been warned you were funny. Your emphasis on early morning energy may make me rethink my morning routine – adding in some meditation is a strong possibility
Nice to see you paid attention to the details 🙂
Sorry to hear about your sickness. However it seems like it was also a very enlightening experience, it is always important to work on oneself from the inside out.
It was enlightening indeed, and one that I will always remember.
Is that what they are called!? I had someone ask me about them and had no idea where to begin to point them to getting one. Where did you purchase yours?
Shamefully, I didn’t purchase any of the beautiful sounding ones I saw in India but instead bought one on (cough cough) amazon…and let’s just saw it’s not the same quality 🙁
I’m not much into meditations lately as I used to. Lovely post nevertheless 🙂
the beauty of meditation is that it can be done anywhere, for any length of time…maybe you can baby step your way back into it if you are inclined to do so!
This article is helpful in so many ways! Great advice!
thanks!
I always wanted to go to India for meditation purposes – just haven’t managed to get around to it yet.. This definitely makes me want to go now, though!
Make it a priority..it’s one of those bucket list experiences!
Sometimes we need time to do this. Meditate and reflect. Everything is so hurried.
Exactly…it’s good to dedicate time to reflect on life instead of just rush through it.
I was in India last December and though I did not do meditation I saw many people in the Ghats doing just that. Each had some type of bowl and until I read you article I did not why. Thanks for the information.
I had no idea either…and it’s amazing how something as simple as a bowl can be so calming.
I love the idea of meditation and how free your mind can feel. Sorry to hear about sickness though x
The sickness eventually went away…but the meditation is something I can carry with me wherever I go.
Sorry to hear about the sickness but the singing bowl sounds like it really resonated with your sense of spirituality.
It totally did. It has been one of those things that I feel will stick with me for a lifetime.
I’ve always wanted to do that – go on a yoga retreat, not be sick.
I find meditation always helps to centre yourself and focus on the here and now.
http://www.thecuriouspixie.co.uk
You’re absolutely right, it brings a calm like none other.
Sorry about you getting sick, but the meditation sounds quite peaceful! That’s always something I have dreamed of doing in India! Hopefully I can skip the New Dehli Belly when I go though! 😀
Skip the belly and it will be a perfect trip! 🙂
This is the best timing – I was told today to do more meditation, thank you for sharing.
I’m glad I could be further inspiration…let me know how your meditation goes.
Singing bowl is best souvenir ever! but even more important are the pictures ?