Mindfulness

My friend invited me to the Vipassana meditation. It was my first meditation ever and I didn't know what to expect. We were explain the basics of this meditation, its elements and benefits. The practise was composed of three parts. The bending part, the walking part and the sitting part. I am  a person who is unable to stay still for longer than 1 minutes unless my mind and thoughts wonders somewhere else. Im constant planner, looking to the future or to the past. I thought I could definitely benefit from the meditation because its goal is to keep you in the present moment.

I really enjoyed the bending and the walking part but quite couldn't get through the sitting part where sitting still for 10-15mins was the crucial task. During the day when the intervals of each part got longer I got frustrated because I was feeling exhausted, asleep and with a headache. I was happy that at 4pm it was all over and I went home to rest. I thought that meditation is not simply for me. I have to say it was damm hard. I never felt this kind of exhaustion even after the hard training in the gym.

I slept on it and I woke up different. Calm, still, patient, happy and with the clear head without any thought or worries. I am enjoying my Sunday when I can do things but I do them as they come and I don't force myself to run, plan, think or get crazy.
I will definitely be practising more of Vipassana and even might go for a retreat in Thailand or somewhere in Europe. I know this will help me on my way to achieve my goals because  I know that if you can't live in the present moment it is like you don't live at all.

This bracelet is a gift from the monk Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo to all who went through at least one day of Vipassana.  Vipassana centre

Blessed Day

Yesterday, without realising was the most perfect day in a long time. Totally spontaneously I got to spend time with all members of my family and I consider it to be the biggest blessing of that day. My family, however we disagree on many topics, is my everything and I really love them.

I started my day with 10km run in the nature while watching the sunrise. Running helps me to get rid of the excess of energy and after that I can concentrate and focus better and get more things done. 

Then, me, my sister Helen, her partner Michal and their daughter Emm went to see my father who is a farmer and during those hot summer days is harvesting grains on the fields. I`ve got to sit inside the harvester next to my dad and watch how millions of grain entered inside this massive machine so that few moments later they were spilt out and on the lorry transported to the nearest grainery. There was also my half brother Petr who helps my father to run the farm. 

At the lunch time, me, my mom and my youngest sister Jeff had meal together at the local pub and  after that we went swimming in the nearby natural lake with our  dogs, chihuahua Orion and prague`s rattle Charlie.

Just imagine this peaceful lake surrounded by forrest and nobody else is there. It is such a privilege to live in this picturesque valley with no sign of industrial damage. On many occasion and specially when I run I see all sorts of wild animals in the fields close to me. It makes my heart jump with a joy and appreciation.

In the evening after helping my mom to water the whole garden, me and my sis Jeff took our bikes and cycled 5km up to Monínec resort moninec.cz where we had glass of wine and were enjoying the best view on the whole valley.

I only realised it this morning that however ordinary my day was it was a real blessing because nothing can compare to this feeling that you have a family and you are part of each of them. I feel so lonely sometimes but if I change my point of view and look at things from a different perspective I will never be alone when I don't want to be.