virtual zen retreat

Mary Jaksch of GoodLife Zen is offering a Virtual Retreat and I have signed up. Not exactly sure what a virtual retreat does, but I am preparing for it by checking out her blog (I discovered her because she did a guest post on Leo's blog.)

Mary gives a list of 5 things that one can do to "finding islands of ease" and that is what I need. She recommends silence (hard to achieve...there is noise everywhere); mindfulness (not multitasking); walking (it hurts); meditation (not possible when no one leaves me alone) and retreats (time).

I must not want to achieve peace, because I whine so much about the cost. I want to achieve peace, because I will die otherwise...maybe not literally, but may be. I hurt so much, even after PT, that I feel like one big bruise...but it is so easy to blow off exercise. I think Jo March talked about being in the Slough of Despond, like the pilgrim in Pilgrim's Progress. I have to pick myself up and pull myself together and continue on the path (Yes, I can) to borrow a phrase.

"Mindfulness means being present with a clear mind, and an open heart.

Mindfulness means bringing full, soft attention to the task at hand."