Mantra meditation

Here's an example of one of the meditations. This one is a mantra lead example from the second day...

We went into evening meditation as usual. Sat down. Did some single focus breathing and warm up exercises. Then the teacher Tim introduced the mantra "Öm mani padme hum" which we all chanted together in unision.

It rose. It fell. It hovered and repeated. It flowed around us. Meanwhile we've been told to think of love for our neighbours, those people around us in the group and perhaps of a white light emanating from our heart out to them and spreading; spreading our love with it.

Sounded cheesy at first and I held my doubts close to heart rather than a white light. But I dutifully started the mantra, chanting quietly along with many others. Then the intensity inrcreased and our voices followed suit.

I couldn't help but smile as the mantra wore on and i got more into it.

Wow.

I wanted to laugh, cry, smile and feel happiness. I wanted to hug and share the joy inside of me. Gone was the ache in my legs as they battled to stay awake from the single half-lotus posture. Gone was the pain in all my body. Gone was the stiffness in my back (from sitting straight up for hours on end); there for all other meditations so far. Gone were my sniffles from the pollen, rife in the area this time of year - gone were everyone's sniffles and coughs and shuffles in fact.

Most importantly, gone were all thoughts other than those of the moment. I was in the present.

I now see what all this stuff is about.

Peace
Serenity
Unconditional love for all
HAPPINESS!

Buddhism is the search for happiness.

And this was but one of the first meditation sessions. They varied in intensity and 'wowness'
but each offered something new. Mmmm. Try it. It's worth it.