Some Thoughts on Meditation

It took me many years of meditation to get the voices in my head to shut up for any length of time. At first they/it/the monkey mind would scream constantly over the mantras I was trying to introduce.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_monkey

It is hard work training. Harder than any physical exercise I’ve ever done. Hard work and persistence that eventually pays off. Sometimes. Sometimes I can reach that peaceful, quiet place where my awareness expands and my sense of self becomes universal. I exist and don’t exist. When I do, I am one, I am all, I am nothing and everything at the same time. The more I meditate, the more often it happens. I can reach that “peace that passes understanding”. Sometimes I can get there almost instantly, sometimes my monkey mind will not shut up for the entire time.

Sometimes just sitting still doesn’t work. But I’ve found there’s other ways to put myself  in that “zone”. Walking, sudoku, washing dishes, and oddly enough, watching car races (especially on oval tracks) also put me in that zone where my monkey mind quiets. Whatever shuts down the chatter and lets me get into that relaxing, peaceful zone is good.

I count myself as fortunate that my monkey mind now only concentrates on trying to distract me with daily logistic annoyances (car trouble, house trouble, job trouble), money, relationship drama. It’s ALWAY fear-based, but not destructive or self-destructive. Back in the beginning, yes. There were days when I felt everything was out of control. That walking into the ocean and not turning back was the only thing that made sense, the only thing that was going to make things better. That meditation was stupid. That there was no way it was going to work. That I was stupid and foolish for even trying. But not anymore.

You can’t lose weight or get your body in shape by occasional or half-hearted exercise. It does take dedication and discipline. Some people can do it on their own, some people work better in groups or with a teacher.

I can say this as someone who has worked (and is still working) for 20 years that meditation can help quiet the mind and provide a lighted path through the darkness. I’ve learned to never give up, to trust the process. If you do “A”, then “B” will follow.

Sangrita--The traditional Mexican aperitif that is usually served chilled with a shot of Tequila

"Sangrita is traditionally blended using tomatoes, or tomato juice, orange juice, fresh lime juice, onions, salt and hot chili peppers. Born in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, sangrita was created to quench the fire of homemade tequila and quickly became a Mexican tradition. Typically used as a tequila chaser, mixer, or co-sip, sangrita allows the person to appreciate the premium tequila while sipping alternately from each of the glasses. Sangrita (meaning "little blood") should not be confused with the popular Spanish fruit and wine elixir, Sangria."


     Once upon a time, this would have been 1990-94, Jeff and I were regulars at a bar here in Austin called "The Hole in the Wall". One of our buddies there was a man by the name of Peter Bretz. Peter was a professor in the RTF department at UT. He was originally from California and I spent many nights listening to him recount his experiences working in a film lab for one of the Hollywood studios. He knew the mysteries of Technicolor processing and stories of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward circa The Drowning Pool. He had a beautifully melodious voice and I could listen to him talk for hours. 
     Occasionally, during the period I knew him, he would go to Mexico on unknown missions. Whenever he returned from these trips he would always bring back a bottle or two of Sangrita which would be kept behind the bar for his friends. A shot of tequila and a shot of Sangrita would warm both the mind and the stomach. Those were happy times for me, living the lush life with good friends. 
     I hadn't seen a bottle of Sangrita since then until last night, and it's as nice as I remembered. Here's to you, Peter Bretz, wherever you are now. I really miss those days.