Pavlov's Meditation

Many people find it helpful to use a chime to mark the beginning and ending of formal meditation practice. It is a signal that time is being set aside for a very specific purpose, separate from the rest of our day, though it feeds the rest of our day. For some it may have a spiritual tone, creating a sense that we’re entering a sacred space in our day. Over time, the body and mind may begin to respond on cue when hearing the chime, there may be a subconscious “knowing” that this is a space of non-judgement, of non-doing, of opening and letting down defenses, of resetting the nervous system. Like Pavlov’s dogs, who began to drool in anticipation of food when they heard the bell, we may notice mental and physiological shifts in the body when our chime invites us into practice.

We can extend the use of “cues” throughout the day to also mark brief pauses and quick dips back into the meditative state, mental and physical “time ins”, reconnecting with the present moment and reminding ourselves how much larger our life is than what my be happening up in the mind of the small self.

I spend much of my time working at a small table in front of the kitchen window. There is a hummingbird feeder attached to the window and each time I notice a hummingbird arrive at the feeder, I stop everything and just watch it, bringing equal attention to what it’s doing, and to the feeling of being in my body. The world slows down for those few seconds, and time seems to stretch out. Furrowed brows and task lists disappear, replaced with wonder, curiosity and spaciousness. Boundaries and borders melt away and there is a sense of being fully integrated into a larger universe.

But it’s not just the magic of the hummingbirds that can serve as the gateway to this experience. Brushing the teeth with full attention - noticing all the sensations, sounds, flavors, and aromas, and leaving behind thoughts of what lies ahead or what transpired in the day works well, too! As does bringing full attention to the experience of walking up the stairs each time you move between floors in house or office and, believe it or not, washing dishes can become an oasis in the day.

Once you choose your cues, and begin to create the habit of switching to “being” mode when you perceive them, you may notice that it becomes more and more second nature…. or is it really first nature?

We hope you can join us this week for formal practice in community, by conference call or by Zoom, or virtually via the many recorded meditations on the website. Click here to see our full schedule.

May all beings find the doorway to their present moment,

Your CMP Family