Cadet Michaela Wright
Colonel Ball
ERH 322WX-02 Beat Generation
17 February 2015
Final Draft
Meditation is undeniably new to me. It was an interesting and beneficial experience to partake in more than once to compare the outcomes and learn more about meditating. During the first experience, I heard more of others around me breathing than anything. It felt good to not have to think about anything even if just for a short moment, however, I was tempted to fall asleep. By not focusing my thoughts on any one entity, unusually what came to mind were images seen throughout the current day. Random events from looking over the parade deck walking to class to the view of Crozet as I am walking down the hill came to view. For some reason I had a song playing in my mind, which is not unusual for me, but was because I had not heard the song for quite some time. The one element that concerned me the most going in to the meditative state; the fear not thinking about anything in particular means anything, evil thoughts for example, could make its way in. Something I may not want to make its way into my thoughts. This meditation period lasted three minutes.
The second meditation period lasted six minutes and was a good session for comparison. Interestingly, pictures and scenes of that day worked into my mind yet again. Since I was alone this time, I heard more of little sounds such as the dishwasher running and the dog snoring. I focused more on breathing and relaxing physically than mentally thinking the deep breaths would help. By relaxing my mind my thoughts traced from one memory from long ago to the next by similarities. I focused on images of the sky for the calmness and perspective they give me. One thing I have learned from taking part in this assignment is that meditation takes practice especially if you live a busy and event filled life. It can be difficult to just stop thinking.
To me, meditation is more one-on-one time with the Holy Spirit, part of the Trinity. It helps me rest in the promise God gives of finding rest and peace in Him and humbling myself long enough to have time to listen to Him. During the time of The Dharma Bums I could see how meditation was a way for people to take a break and escape from the events of life, which at this time were not always pleasant. Daily calming the mind and simply taking a short mental and physical break was probably what many people relied on to be able to cope with all of the wars and conflicts such as the Cold War, conformity and arms races.