Hummmmmmmmm...

This weekend I got to try something I’d been wanting to experience for a long time. Some friends of mine were going to a meditation lesson at a Buddhist temple so I tagged along with them. It was so cool! 

First, the monk gave us an introduction and explained how to sit and what to do. We started with a 20-minute seated meditation and we were supposed to focus on breathing. The idea was to breathe in and out slowly and count our breaths to help us focus but it was INSANELY difficult to not think about other things. Then the monk banged some little stick thing (as you can see, I’m not too familiar with the Buddhist terminology yet) to let us know that it was time to stand up. Even though it wasn’t that loud, I wasn’t expecting the sound so I jumped about a mile when she hit it. We then stood up and did a slow walking meditation for 10 minutes. We walked in circles around the room, following the monk like a line of quiet, reflective little ducklings. She went slower than the rest of us and I was right behind her so I could feel people gaining on me from behind which would normally make me laugh but I, Shannon O’Brien, held in the urge. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever successfully done that in my life. That’s one small step for Uncle Shan and one giant leap for loud, crazy people everywhere!

            Afterwards, we had tea with the monk so we could talk and she answered our questions. Since I didn’t really know much about Buddhism to begin with, I didn’t really have any questions to ask but I learned a lot just by listening to everyone else. I’m so excited to go back to the class and learn more about it. Seriously…they know what’s up.