E D I T O R S W O R D
YOGItimes magazine for the modern yogi
Several years ago, I read a book called Peace Is Every Step, by Thich Nat Hanh. The book changed my perception and understanding of meditation. It showed me that a strong meditation practice did not necessarily require me to sit for hours without distractions. At the time I came across the book, I wasn’t the type of person who could feel good about “just sitting still.” So when I found out from this book that I could do the dishes and meditate at the same time, I was hooked! I discovered driving-meditation, walking-meditation, picking up the phone-meditation and so on. Suddenly I was a meditator, and having fun with it.
A few years later, wanting to go deeper into the art of meditation, I made the big leap and attended a 10 day silent Vipassana meditation retreat in North Fork, CA. It was a profound experience to go for 10 days without having to give my opinion, deal with money, see a car or feel judged. Another profound realization I had during the retreat was that ever since I learned to talk, I haven’t stopped! The stillness I found in not talking made me want to delve deeper into the possibilities that meditation can open.
10 days later, it was back to real life. And now 10 years later, I still sometimes struggle to fit meditation into my hectic schedule. But the peace and understanding it has brought me over the years act as a constant and gentle reminder of the importance of making the time to turn inward and quiet the whirlwind blowing inside me. I hope this issue will be an inspiration for you to start a meditation practice of your own. Like me, you may be surprised to discover that you have always been meditating without being aware of it, like the members of a knitting club (just an ancient meditation circle in disguise), counting loops of yarn instead of mala beads!
Namaste,
