The Mind Illuminated, a journal: Day 1

Life_is_a_distraction

Foreward: Page xvi, The Mind Illuminated

These are reflective notes on my experience of practicing Culadasa’s 10 stage meditation system. The notes in this post are from my first day of practice in the system. For an introduction to this project, see this page. Occasionally I will post edit the journal. Any post editing is [in square brackets like this].

Day One

“I’ve already read the forward and introduction of the book. Started reading the overview today.

Walking meditation (described in TMI appendix 1)

Mind mostly thought free during this exercise. I found the attention to physicality made it very easy to let thought go.

10 mins ordinary speed, walking around the house:

Felt good. I enjoyed this.

10 mins fast speed:

Loved this. It’s the first proper exercise I’ve done for a week, since being ill. Combined speed and sensation heightened presence. Maintained attention on my soles and wheezy chest throughout. I feel great. I think I made some blisters on my right heel. Noticing the sensation now.

10 mins slow:

After the walking practice I’m physically enlivened, feel good in my body, a little tingly all over. Feet are warm and buzzing. Cold symptoms are quite nice. I can breathe a bit through my nose & feel the wheeziness more in my chest.

80 minutes sitting meditation

Stage 2: focusing on the breath, remaining undistracted.

Felt light and happy after today’s practice.”