What does it feel like to meditate?

“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!...

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
—Rumi”

It’s been pretty fkn windy in Cape Town the last few days.

Below is a video to illustrate my point…

Some further evidence to illustrate my point from WindGuru (not an affiliated sponsor):

I’m no weather man, but I’m guessing purple and red coloured squares indicate the wind is strong?

I can’t help but liken the video — and me taking the video, staring out into the Sea Point bustle and abyss — to meditation.

Often, I notice people making the assumption that meditation (or mindfulness) is merely the practice of not thinking. Having no thoughts. Eliminating the darkness within. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Meditation is seeing the turmoil, the wreckage, the carnage and dark clouds. It’s also seeing the raw beauty, fragility, sacredness and oneness. It’s all encompassing. Seeing. Not judging, seeing. Noticing every experience as a transitory experience that should be felt fully.

When you are present, you accept all that comes as a guide from above. Each thought, feeling and experience is an appearance in this vast expanse of collective consciousness we share.

Wishing you all the presence and love going into 2020.

— Sea Point, Cape Town,

Josh.