10-day Vipassana sit at Elbert, Colorado

Pic above and below: The Jewish Children’s Camp at Elbert, CO where the course was held

 

Pic: In the background, the small log cabin where I stayed

Am just back from an intense, challenging and highly rejuvenating Vipassana retreat at the serene and idyllic Elbert, CO. Here is my experience…

Should one Meditate?

 

My whole effort here is to keep you as non-serious as possible, for the simple reason that meditation, all kinds of meditation, can make you too serious and that seriousness will create a spiritual disease and nothing else.

Unless a meditation brings you more laughter, more joy, more playfulness, avoid it. It is not for you.

                                        – Rajneesh

Mindful Eating

I attended a Mindful Eating lecture organized by my employer today. It  inspired this post.

Eating while multitasking, whether working through lunch or watching TV while eating dinner, often leads us to eat more. On the other hand, eating “mindfully,” savoring every mouthful, enhances the experience of eating and keeps us aware of how much we take in.

Our fast-food culture is one where meals have become yet another task we squeeze in during the day. It is all too common to hear of people grabbing breakfast on the run or attending a lunch meeting, where business is front and center and food is merely the bait to get people there.

The speed at which we eat isn’t the only problem. This is the age of  multitasking, where  we often pair eating with other activities, such as driving or working at our desks. It is rare that we’re simply eating when we’re eating. In fact, 66% of Americans report regularly eating dinner in front of the television.

Thought for the day – Equanimity

Though one may conquer
a thousand times a thousand people in battle,
yet one indeed is the noblest victor
who conquers oneself.

                   Dhammapada 10.103 (Words of the Buddha)