This year I’m spending Christmas in silence. Complete silence. There’ll be no cards, no presents, no crackers or trimmings – not even a glass of fizz. In fact, on Christmas Day, itself, I’ll be waking up next to a stranger. As crazy as it may sound, I can’t wait.
I had no idea what meditation was until I went to Thailand in 2003. I’d separated from my husband after four years of marriage and went away to do some soul-searching.
One day I went on a trip with a group of people to a beautiful temple and we were asked if we would like to do meditation. I was the only volunteer.
AMAZING FEELING
The monk got me to sit in the lotus position, which was terribly painful, then asked me to close my eyes and to see a flame in front of me and focus on my breath. All I could think about was how sore my knees were and what I’d be having for dinner. I couldn’t wait for it to end.
It went on for two hours, but when I walked out afterwards, I felt amazing. My senses were heightened, I felt so aware and alert and relaxed. It was incredible.
I was training in psychology and interested in how the mind worked so, back in London, I found a meditation class and started going once a week. I bought meditation CDs and books and even a cushion so I could practise at home.
I got so into it, my mother became concerned. She thought I was conversing with spirits, trying to become a medium or something. My parents are strong churchgoers and had no idea about meditation. They thought it could be dangerous and affect my mind.
This story is from the December 07, 2020 edition of New UK.
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This story is from the December 07, 2020 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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