Taking off my shoes, I stepped into the dimly room the smell of incense and burning candles filled my lungs. There was an altar with a brass Buddha and flowers surrounding it. A very deep, droning hum of the didgeridoo played through the speakers all around the room. Dark brown rubber yoga mats were already set up in some areas around the room. It was so peaceful and quiet; I didn’t even realize the people sitting on the mats, their faces so calm. The teacher greeted me and introduced herself as Amanda. She gestured for me to go get a mat, bolster, blanket and two blocks. I looked around the room and set myself up like everyone else. I sat down on the blanket, peacefully with my thoughts, no backing out now, I didn’t know what to expect. If I did it right, was I suppose to feel lighter, was I really going to experience a change in my heart, something that I could feel? Which made me think again, why was I really here? What did I come for? It wasn’t just for the English assignment my teacher gave me. I thought I came to relieve some of the pressure and stress I was feeling. But as I sat a little longer I realized that was not why I was really here. So I asked myself again, why had I come? Why meditation?
We started off by just sitting there, sitting there for what felt like ten minutes. Amanda’s voice was calm and peaceful, yet clear and full of energy. She started to speak about feeling the ground beneath us, and to try and feel its support that it gives us. “Become aware of the sounds around you. Notice the light and shade, the air touching your face.”
With my eyes closed, I tried to listen; I tried to listen to the sound of my breath going in and out; I tried to feel all the different shades of light on my face that shone in through the small window in the corner of the room. I couldn’t feel it. But I wasn’t about to give up just yet.
“Allow your mind to empty what it no longer needs to hold on to; let it go, flow out and away. Draw yourself back from where…