Sacred Silence - Post Week 4

Four weeks gone and two to go, as we approach both the end of the school year and, more excitingly, the finish line of "Sacred Silence." With an additional twenty minutes added to the routine, how are our participants doing, if you care to wonder? And what do they wish or warn you of, if they care to share?

How has your meditation evolved since the beginning of this challenge?
Troy Saldanha-Martins (Grade 10): "At the beginning of this challenge, I did little to no mediation or stress-relieving activities in my day-to-day life. Being far into this challenge, I have invested myself and focused on making sure that I fit in time to meditate so that I can control stress levels and do not overheat. Over the course of the challenge I have identified certain activities and tactics to receive the full benefits of meditating (e.g. listening to calming music, being in a calm and quieter space)."
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): "It's definitely feeling more like a habit my body has adapted to. The word "meditation" strikes a chord that immediately dims the lights in my mind's eye, and I begin feeling cooler and warmer at once, in the right places. I've certainly become less and less reliant, and wanting, of some kind of assistance or support, like a guide or music. I'm also seeing meditation less as a formal thing where I have to be sitting cross-legged on the floor, back straight, shoulders down, and so on to make it feel like it counts - meditation at its core is just focusing on your breath. Whether it be for ten meaningful breaths, five minutes, twenty minutes, lying down in bed, walking outside, or sitting on a yoga mat, if your breath is what you've committed yourself to mastering and appreciating, you're meditating!"

Do you foresee adjusting your practice in any way (i.e. timing, arrangement)?
Troy Saldanha-Martins (Grade 10): "Meditating before bed is working for me and my schedule so no adjustment needed there. The music I listen to, the place I meditate are all providing promising results. Since the aspects of my meditating are helping I feel like making an adjustments could throw off my routine and what I gain from the experience."
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): "I think I said last week that I wanted to move my practices more into the morning. I think now it's fine if I can just learn to make meditating not just a daily habit, but rather, make it a habit of turning to meditation (daily) whenever I need it. Morning meditation can be a mandatory bonus."

So far, how has the reality of your meditation experience compared to your expectations? (are you disappointed, surprised, happy?)
Troy Saldanha-Martins (Grade 10): "In terms of reality compared to my expectations, I am quite happy that I actually put in the commitment into fitting in time to meditate and wind down (for other things I usually lose motivation quickly). For what's happening during the period I meditate, I am a little disappointed because I tend to be quite distracted mentally, I have tried to pin point what it is but to no avail. Not going to lie, I am a little surprised that I have made it this far and I going to push till the end!"
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): "I mean, I'm seventeen, I'm not exactly super young and in this day and age (and especially with recent events), I've been disappointed and surprised plenty by other people and promises. That's why I didn't really enter this challenge fully believing meditation would be as magical as online sources claim. I'm not let down that it really isn't all that magical. However, I am enjoying meditation in a way I wasn't expecting. I didn't expect it to feel so natural and inherent, and I like the me I become through meditation. I think it's really helping me be a kinder, more pacific person."

What expectations or hopes might you have for the remaining two weeks of meditation?
Troy Saldanha-Martins (Grade 10): "My expectations and hopes are basically the same as for the past weeks. However, I will be focusing on clearing my mind of negative thoughts and thoughts that bring down my self-esteem. I hope that my mind keeps its focus on the goal, the end of the challenge but mainly a strengthen and healthy mental health."
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): "Honestly, nothing. Except for maybe that something spontaneous and terribly unfortunate happens so that I somehow can't meditate... Otherwise, I'm planning to embrace the next two weeks as they are."

Do your friends know you're meditating? If yes, how did they come to know? If no, would you wish for them to know?
Troy Saldanha-Martins (Grade 10): "I have told a few friends randomly because why not. I do not really care if they know or not as its not a bad thing or something to be ashamed of."
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): "My friends in Project Metropolis definitely know, obviously. As for the others who might mutually agree we could be friends, some might be like, "Oh yeah!" if I remind them, but wouldn't be aware otherwise, and if that's the case, I don't mind. This is a personal journey and I know while I can try pushing people to do some things, meditation is not one I should."

How do you feel about entering the guru-20-minute meditation daily for the next two weeks?
Troy Saldanha-Martins (Grade 10): "20 minutes for seems like a dauting amount of time as it is a chunk of time out of my night that I could be doing homework and stuff. However, now that I know what meditating for like 10 minutes, 20 minutes is just doing the same thing for double the amount of time. Due to that, I feel like the doubled time will also increase my chances of noticing good results. So, overall, I have mixed emotions for the next two weeks however the main is seeing if I can last!"
Misheel Batkhuu (Grade 11): "Super cool B)"

With two weeks left to go, there remains plenty of room for evolution, and quitting, in our meditators' practices. The habit's close to being made - keep a weather eye on the horizon Mac!

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