WEEK FOUR ESSAY
- This topic has 79 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 2 hours, 15 minutes ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
-
I loved the feeling of giving instructions. I loved passing along what I have received, and I loved sharing my meditation practice with my fellow sangha member. In my instruction, I was a little uncertain about managing the time for someone else, and I was happy that my timer worked and that the bell I used to start and end the practice was clearly audible. I was a little uncertain about remembering all the points of the basic posture instruction and the body map, but I just got in the position, and then described what I was doing from the bottom up: easy peasy! 🙂 I was happy that I remembered to give instructions to support my understanding that thoughts are not the enemy – the brain thinks! It’s what the brain does. I love the idea of tethering the mind to the breath, and I remembered to say that, reminding me that the focus on the breath keeps me present, awake, and safe.
-
-
Kat, thanks for the reminder to just describe what I’m doing (posture, breath,labeling thinking, coming back). Because I’m sitting in a chair for class, What I did was sit in a chair in front of the computer, trying to say what I do when I’m on the cushion. Next time I’ll leave the chair and sit on the cushion, and narrate what I’m doing. Thanks!
-
Dear Kat,
Your experience partially coincides with mine. Thanks for expressing it in such clear language and sequence, making it somehow also a testament to my experience and maybe our shared experience as sangha members. The unease is very recognizable and also the support entering meditation together offers. I like the ‘easy peasy’ expression and words like ‘tethering the mind to the breath’! Thanks for sharing.
-
-
In many ways it felt familiar. In my experience, meditation practices have always been taught as much by example as by direct instruction. The direct instruction seems mainly to serve to point out details that could easily be overlooked.
While giving this instruction for the first time, I found myself worrying that I’d leave out something important that isn’t obvious. I didn’t worry too much given that Djuna is already familiar with the technique, but I could see myself getting distracted by that worry if I was giving instruction to a beginner.
I felt comfortable leaving space for the practice just to happen after the initial instruction, though. I’ve seen many times that once they’ve got the basic moves down, it’s best just to let people dance.-
-
hi Andrew, as your partner, I didn’t feel a sense of something being Left out in your instructions. As with all experiences where one person is ‘leading’, I believe you really have to start where the practitioner is in that moment. I feel comfortable with the technique, and I felt your introduction was complete in itself.
Gauging how to open the meditation can be informed by the other person’s history with the technique, if you know it. But whether we know the person’s meditation history or not, a gut sense of where the practitioner is at right now has to integrate into that decision. I love your idea of leaving space in the instructions to let experienced meditators dance.
-
-
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for sharing about your experience. I feel some of the same things you do, regarding concern of leaving something out. I can also relate to trusting the process, which you describe as: just leaving space for the practice to happen. Thank goodness for that! I think Susan says something like: trust the technique. So much learning and opportunity for growth and helping others.. in all of this:) -
Dear Andrew,
Thanks for articulating your experience in a way which comes across to me as quite accurate. How you describe worrying about leaving something out which is important but is not obvious is an example of this accuracy to me. And then the release in trusting the dancer after the basic moves are in. Lovely.
-
-
This was my first time ever offering meditation instruction. I had felt fairly solid in knowing what needed to be given as instruction just from receiving it so many times, but there’s something very different offering it in the context of this one-on-one relationship, in the moment. Mostly a process of checking myself as I go – am I leaving anything out? Am I saying too much here? That came out more awkwardly than when I thought it before… that kind of thing.
Mostly it felt successful, like I remembered everything important and created a space with the appropriate containment. I did feel I expressed myself awkwardly in some parts, and found myself saying too much about one or another point and having to adjust to avoid getting lost in the weeds, and try to move fluidly onto the next step.
I would say the response of my partner in the breakout, Vy, after the sit, was very important for me feeling that yes, I did that okay. I would probably have a lot of self-examination without that, and as it was I found my thoughts in the second sit, which Vy led, were all about that. Thank goodness I’m gaining ground on the letting go of thoughts part. Very active mind for a while there.
As student, I think the confidence of the teacher may be a big part of feeling something like secure in the practice. Vy’s assurance gave me reassurance, and her instruction was precise, concise, and beautifully expressed. I wished I could do it more like that, so that’s what I’ll aim for. Thank you for the chance to learn from you Vy!
-
Colin, your essay so clearly evokes an understanding of your experience teaching. Probably because it seems very similar to my experience, I feel “right there with you” on your thoughts about the awareness of getting lost in the weeds, and having a sense of unanticipated awkwardness. It is such a gift that we are partnered with others in this beautiful, beneficent group, so that we can move through these bumpy starts feeling safe and understood.
-
-
Hi Colin,
I so relate to the kind of wobbling in in the newness of the role, your reflection on the interaction with Vy was also resonant; I felt calmed and affirmed by the positive feedback from my partner, Jo and has me reflecting further on the impact of all of us doing this together and how profoundly important this is and how I am understanding that more and more deeply as we go on in this process. I felt more comfortable than I expected, wobbling in, because I trusted the frame AND the community we’re developing and it remined me of your share in class when you talked about finding your place in lineage and your insights on transmission which brought me more deeply into reflection. Thank you.
-
-
Please share any insights about what it felt like to offer instruction. What were you happy about? What were you uncertain about?
I echo what was said in class, I was very glad to go 1st because I realized I would be likely to be influenced by my partner’s style. I realized, as it was, I would be repeating much of what, or some hybrid of how, I have heard instruction given in sangha, however, I felt comfortable enough to relax into that, appreciating that the # of times I would be 1:1 with my fellow students would give me a chance to feel into what words and what style were more mine… although I felt much more comfortable after I fessed this up to my partner. We took a little time to get to know each other, on her suggestion, bless her. While it feels great to get to know each other better and I loved the opportunity, it also gave us a bit of a running pad as we headed toward take off.
I found I loved offering instruction; I was so happy at how much I was able to lean into the practice technique vs leaning into worry or self-consciousness. I’m so glad we’ll have more opportunity to do this. I intend to work to stretch into expanded spaciousness and ability/capacity to be more and more present.-
Hi Lauren, I really appreciate your point about leaning into the technique as a way to minimize any worries or discomfort. This helps me see that we are creating a container for ourselves, as well as for our students. Also, with growing comfort within the container we can become more and more present. Thanks!
-
-
-
I felt anxiety and shyness and a lack of confidence entering this experiential opportunity. So, as the antidote to these feelings, I thought about the big picture.
This opportunity is the first in a developmental process that will build over time to strengthen my meditation abilities, to deepen an embodied practice, and to develop a personal style of teaching within a clear container. I took a student/learning view. What helped was to move out of a competitive mind (so many in our group are knowledgeable), out of perfect or even good enough (the evaluative mind) and move into learning mind. My focus then became streamlined to simply: follow Susan’s instructions. Body, breath, mind. Start with the feet. Lean, instructional, be the way. Then I wrote it all down and practiced a few times reading it out loud. And, with Melanie as my partner, it was easy to feel safe and to relax. Thank you, Melanie, for your warmth and openness. The “beginners mind” really helped me enjoy the opportunity. -
-
I was more excited than nervous about providing meditation instruction–it’s all in how you frame the feeling. Just call it excitement, instead of anxiety, and it glows in a positive light: ) Going into it, I felt like the instructions would feel intuitive, since I’ve heard and followed them so many times over the years. However, I felt a sense of hyper self-awareness while giving the instructions and had to keep returning to the meditation from the spectator seat. I guess in some ways it was like the returning to the awareness of the breath, but my self-judgement was much more harsh. I was pulling myself out of the present by scrutinizing the moment and instruction that had just past.
The post-instruction discussion by the group was very comforting and provided food for thought about forging forward on the path to teaching. I appreciated the discussion of being there to care about, but not take care of our students, since part of my self critique was centered on whether I was meeting the student’s expectations. Getting in the groove, so to speak, is staying open, receptive, and present–Placing attention on the process as it unfolds and truly sitting with the student, not sitting in the stands with a scorecard. Simple not easy, but I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to come back to trying as many times as needed. So grateful for Susan and this beautiful group of people to share this with.
-
-
Hi Melanie – I totally resonate with your essay, particularly the part about feeling hyper self-awareness despite having heard and followed the instruction for so many years. I was also excited about giving instruction finally in the same vein (I love how you frame the feeling!) and was so curious to ultimately see how different it felt to actually for it from what I might have imagined. Now that I have some words for it (thank you!), I am excited to work with this hyper self-awareness as we continue on through the course and this teacher journey.
-
-
-
-
I have given meditation instruction before, so I didn’t have the same kind of nervous energy that I did when I was first starting. This is also such a lovely group of fellow learners that it is easy for me to feel at ease, even if I hadn’t had prior experience. As I brought up after, my main uncertainty is when to speak again after giving the initial instruction. I’m looking forward to practicing more with using my intuition to sense whether to do more/less of this depending on who I am instructing.
This particular experience was a little challenging because I’m dealing with the worst sinus infection of my life and I can’t hear out of my left ear, which makes my own voice echo in my head in an uncomfortable way. So giving instruction while feeling all the congestion in my head left me a little out of sorts, but I was glad to hear that my partner didn’t pick up on any of my physical discomfort and it was so nice to hear that she felt like I was able to be very present with her during the experience.
I really enjoy doing this, and afterwards I feel an incredible sense of gratitude for the people who have allowed me to share this experience with them.-
I hope you are recovering from your sinus infection. It sounded like you did well despite your illness. I too would like to have more practice in figuring out if/when to talk again after the initial instruction. Like you, I am also grateful to have a lovely group of fellow learners with whom to share and practice.
-
Thanks for sharing your experience, Stina! I was/am curious to hear of people’s uncertainty with the speaking again after the initial instruction. It is not something I ever considered before, simply just because of my experience having only meditated with Susan and never having her speak again after the initial instruction in her videos. So it was just never on my radar. But my partner went first, and he did speak a bit a few times after the initial instruction. Although I was startled by it (in a sense that I wasn’t expecting it), I found that I really enjoyed it – it was calm and soothing and helped me go even deeper into the practice. So just from that experience I started to think about this aspect, and then hearing others reflect on this as well got me even more curious! Definitely something to experiment with for sure.
-
-
Before offering instructions for anything, even for yoga which I have been teaching for 10 years, I always have a slight sense of self-doubt or worry whether I have prepared enough. My challenge is to work on surrendering and trusting: in the practice, in myself and in that the student will get what they need from the practice. (Thank you Susan for this insight). I tried to keep words very simple to settle the body, feel the breath and “notice, let go, return and begin again”. My meditation partner Colin was a calm and experienced practitioner and, as he sat quietly, I sent him friendly and supportive energy and good wishes for his well-being. If Colin had been less calm, I would have felt less confident and would have interjected with more words and instructions which I would not have felt comfortable doing. With one-on-one teaching, the synergy between teacher and student clearly exists. I can understand the importance of holding a grounded and encouraging space that can surely be felt by the student.
-
Vy, it is so comforting to hear that even as an experienced practitioner and teacher you still feel some slight self-doubt! I have this feeling in other ways that I’ve taught before (as a professor, etc.) and so it shouldn’t come as any surprise to me that this would be the case here, but it’s a wonderful reminder for the journey ahead. I’ve always thought that a slight sense of self-doubt is a good thing – for authenticity, for humility, etc. Thank you (and Susan!) for the reminder that a big piece is working on surrendering and trusting. Very helpful.
-
Vy, I found myself so moved by your sending Colin “friendly and supportive energy and good wishes for his well-being” this is surely grounding in an encouraging space in the synergy of your one on one teaching as you artfully provide an example of what I think it means to offer the teaching (or transmit the teaching, in the words we’re leaning from Susan) by one’s presence
-
Hi Vy, I love the idea of sending friendly and supportive energy to Colin. I can see how that would help bring me out of my nervousness about how I’m doing, and invite my awareness to move to where I’d rather it be, on the student’s experience. I’m inspired by your focus on surrendering and trusting. I’ll be doing the same whenever I can remember!
-
-
-
-
This was the first time I have provided meditation instruction so I felt a bit anxious. As I result I feel that I rushed through the introduction. No worries, I will feel much more confident next time. My partner, Nikki, did an excellent job with her introduction, so I learned a great deal from her. I think that this is what this teaching practice is about; learning from others, and getting more confident. It’s funny, because I am so confident in other areas of my life. I suppose that this is natural when trying something brand new. I’m looking forward to more practice and what I will learn from others along the way. Thanks everyone!
-
Hi Virginia! I love your line, “No worries, I will feel much more confident next time.” Such good energy! I enjoyed our meditation time together and by the way, your instruction was clear and supportive. And I strongly agree with you that we learn so much from others — hugely from Susan and all that flows through her, as well as from every single share in the sangha and our one-on-one times.
-
-
-
Stina, I’m so sorry to hear about your sinus infection. They are indeed awful. I hope that you are feeling better. I like the idea of following one’s intuition about when to speak or add something in. Following one’s intuition seems like it would build confidence. Thank you for sharing this. Take care!
-
I was so happy to hear several others share in the last class about how they have been dealing with the instruction and thoughts of “teaching” during their own meditation practice, as this is something that has been happening for me since deciding to embark on this teacher journey. I have been meditating “with” Susan and the OHP since 2015. I had my first thoughts that maybe I would want to teach this to others about 8 years later, then it took me another almost 2 to sign up. Once I signed up for the class, I noticed a shift in my own practice. I started to notice that I would be thinking about how I would teach the instruction as I sat. At first, I worried this was “bad.” I should be meditating, not thinking about how I would offer instruction! Then, toward the start of the class as we got going, I tried thinking about this urge to give instruction as “thinking” during my own practice. Then, I experimented with actually using time at the start of my own sit to go through the instruction in my head. And then here we were on Saturday, finally getting to practice giving the instruction ourselves, out loud, to another human being!
Besides in my own head, and even though I have been practicing this same meditation technique since 2015, I had never given the instruction out loud. For me, it was freeing and wonderful to finally experiment with giving the instruction in my own voice. I really enjoyed the opportunity to finally “practice” in a different way, and I’m excited to keep going!
However, I’m still unsure and uncertain about how I’m going to weave this into my own practice. I still struggle with feeling like practicing giving the instruction and my own time to sit are at odds. Like, I’m distracted by thinking about giving the instruction while I’m sitting on my own. But this also feels akin to the growing pains of any transition – figuring out how to “be” with both the old and the new. I’m also wondering if, as we end up sitting for longer and longer, it will make more sense and even start to feel good to give the instruction out loud to myself as part of my sit. I will be excited to read and hear how others are finding this interplay being meditating and giving the instruction as we continue on this journey.-
Hi Liana, Your point about the instruction and your own time being at odds is what I mentioned in the chat on Saturday. And I might have to break this gently, but …in my experience it’s not an old / new thing, but just a fact of teacher life thing. I’ve been teaching yoga for a few years and still often find myself “practising” for an upcoming lesson rather than for myself. This can even lead to some … resentment … because there isn’t the time in the week to do both. I realize now as I am writing to you that this is probably one of the great benefits of the simplicity of the practice we are learning here, that at some point the needle will drop into the groove and the words will just be right and feel completely natural, and enough.
-
-
I had mixed feelings about giving meditation instruction. I was happy to go first, but felt pretty anxious and I missed a couple of important points (e.g., awareness is on the feeling of the breath). Then I wasn’t sure if should mention that once we were further into the meditation because I didn’t want to disrupt my partner’s process. In short, I was overthinking things and I think I got in my own way a bit. I’m also prone to focus more on where I can improve rather than on what I’ve done well.
Despite my neuroses, the experience was positive. The feedback I received from my partner was very valuable (it would have been fine and even welcomed for me offer additional instruction throughout the time) & I feel more clear about what I will do in the future. I think I just needed to get this first one under my belt and I anticipate it will be easier in the future.
I also found it very helpful to hear from classmates about their experiences with giving themselves instruction either silently or out loud while they are meditating. I think I’ve been doing this to a degree without realizing it and I may be more intentional about incorporating it moving forward as long as it doesn’t cross over into thinking.
-
What a lovely summary of your experience before, during, and after! And I admire the way you apply your self-awareness (about, as you say, overthinking and overfocusing on improvement) to this particular learning and practice process. That is very powerful in all aspects of life, don’t you think? Thank you for sharing!
-
Dear Erin,
Thanks for this clear summary of your experience instructing me 🙂 Going back to my experience, I can share that I really enjoyed getting the instructions in the calm, serene and warm way in which you communicated it with me. I was also feeling quite nervous because of the first time interacting in this direct way with a fellow student. But, your way of guiding me through this first experience really calmed me and allowed for a lovely meditation session. And… also allowed me to take my role in returning the guidance feeling more centered. I’m happy to read how your experience was and particularly the way how you became aware you might have been doing this to a degree already without realizing it.
-
-
I felt calm and safe giving meditation instruction. It was my second time trying and it felt more centered with less expectation and more presence.
I’ve listened to daily Susan recordings hundreds of times at this point so I think that helped get an outline in my bones while still being able to not feel as if it was a script.
Ask me again after we do it again though and it may be a different story 😆 -
-
This is was the first time I’ve given meditation instruction over zoom and I noticed that it was a little harder to pick up on the other person’s energy when we’re not in the same room. I’ve led in-person meditation groups many times, but zoom has a different texture and feeling to it. I did my best to trust the instructions and practice because I didn’t feel like I had a great sense of my parter’s energy during the sit.
I enjoy giving instruction and meditating with other people, so in that sense I was happy about the whole experience. I have been trying to pay more attention to the details of posture as Susan outlines them, because I think I have been a little lax about my posture and how I instruct others in posture. Not sure if I really hit all the details about posture. Regardless, I didn’t feel nervous or uncertain about any aspects of instruction.
-
-
Before giving meditation instruction on Saturday (first time) I prepared a little cheat sheet ahead of time that I could fall back to if I needed it. Like others have pointed out, having received this instruction many times before made things easier. I tried to incorporate some of the instructions I received when I first learned to mediate that I still find helpful. This initial instruction was given to me before I “discovered” the OHP, and I wanted to honor my first teacher by passing on some of what I still carry from that experience.
I agree with others who have pointed out what a lovely community this is. I felt it was ok to mess up and that helped me go into it fairly relaxed. I think doing this in person would make it easier to “feel” where the student “is” during the practice, but could also make it harder for the teacher to stay grounded. Practice will tell… It was a lovely experience overall. Thank you Susan for “making” us do this and for your trust. It honestly feels like a gift to me.
-
-
I missed doing this class live due to a friend’s father passing away and choosing to attend his memorial service in support of her. But I’ve given meditation instruction many times. Still, the thought made me nervous to give it to another person training to be a teacher until I just grounded myself and moved out of a sense of perfectionism and into the thought of “skill” – “Everyone has their own style. I do this all the time. I’m sure it will be ok.”
-
-
I felt quite relaxed offering instruction, aware of parallels with and echoes from guiding meditation and yoga classes in the past. That said, this experience is fresh and new to me as I attempt to represent and share the practice faithfully and helpfully.
The group discussion about going first vs. second was interesting, with both positions having benefits and challenges. I was second in my pair, and I was aware that my thoughts during my partner’s turn flitted to planning… what exactly did I want to say when it was my turn? So I was aware of that.
Another question I considered was, from which point of view is it best to guide? Should we be directive, telling the other what to do (nicely) with “you” and “your”? Should we use “we” language, fairly common in yoga? Should we use impersonal language, focusing on body parts, as in “The spine is straight while the belly is soft.” I believe Susan uses “you/your” language as well as impersonal (not really the right word) language, and I will continue to listen and learn!
-
Niki, I have also been thinking a lot about the “language” or point of view used to guide when speaking, so thank you for bringing this up! With Susan being my only experience with a teacher, I notice that she uses both – for example, “relax the shoulders” sometimes and “let the shoulders relax” other times. I tend to like the “let the” language better in my head, so I experimented with that language for my first try this past weekend. I’m looking forward to continuing to experiment with language and see what feels best (and maybe switch it up depending, as Susan does). Thanks for reminding me of this important piece!
-
-
Ok, my first thought was, “20 minutes!” and hoping that a 10 minute meditation might mean 5 minutes each. Amazingly, the 20 minutes was so doable!
I was pleased with the comfort I felt in the process of giving instruction. I have been with a group practicing Centering Prayer for 5 years and am 1 or 3 facilitators so I have a comfort in guiding a group in reflection. The OHP meditation practice is different and I have been meditating with Susan’s daily emails for a while now – so one of my other feelings was, “I’m just repeating, mimicking Susan” and for a moment that felt inauthentic. After we came back to the full group I realized that this is exactly the flow – passing on the practice, not stealing anything from the practice. I also found myself using words that have meaning to me yet follow the flow. For example I often use ‘release’ instead of ‘let go’ because I’m not successful at ‘letting go’ – it has a sort of finality to it that I’m unable to achieve. But I can ‘release’ just about anything for the present moment knowing it’s likely to return. When I try to ‘let go’ and it returns, as it always does, I have a sense of failure that floods my thoughts – I know that’s a peculiar nuance that may not apply to others.
Thank you for this experience.
-
Hi MaryBeth–
The 20 minutes seemed long at first to me too; even though I often sit at least that long, the one-on-one nature made it seem a bit daunting, but it wasn’t at all.
I was very impressed with your delivery of the instructions. You didn’t seem to be mimicking Susan, rather you sounded like you had an excellent grasp a technique and could explain it clearly and sincerely! It was lovely to sit with you this first time. -
-
-
-
Hi MaryBeth,
I suspect we are all better meditation teachers we give ourselves credit for. It’s interesting you mentioned feeling like you were mimicking Susan, I also felt that way! I think the instruction will become more natural as we trust ourselves more. I agree with you that we are passing on the practice – and eventually we’ll do that in a language that feels more and more like ours. Thanks for sharing your insights.
-
-
I was surprised to find myself nervous, which I had not anticipated. Although it was with just one person, no judgments, clearly just for practice, and yet I was nervous. To the point where I forgot to say a lot of things about posture. When I realized that I’d forgotten, I had an internal debate about whether it was too late to add them. I can’t say that I was happy about anything about how I did, or how I felt. I’m looking forward to trying again!
I wish there was time to give each other a little bit of feedback before getting whisked back out of the breakout room-
Hi Rosie, Thanks for sharing your uncertainty about the meditation instruction last week. I can certainly relate to realizing I left things out as well. I agree that practice will make it easier. My partner and I did take a moment to give each other feedback, so maybe you can add that in next time. It was really helpful.
-
-
-
In the last week or so, I’d been feeling doubts about whether I could actually teach meditation to others. I’ve been sharing in a few conversations that I’m training to be a meditation teacher, and I’ve noticed that people’s responses are either “that’s super cool, what’s that like?” or “……{insert blank or vaguely nervous face here}… Oh ya. So anyway, have you guys got any travel planned this year?”
And so I’ve also been wondering (and a little uncertain) about how I’m going to actually make learning to meditate attractive. And then I remember that my role is to focus on each practitioner’s needs, and to trust in the technique.
I did feel some butterflies during my first time instructing last Saturday. I got a bit lost on how much detail to give. But after we got back together to chat about how it went, I realized that I need to get clear on the most important things I want to say, and to work out a couple of ways to remind myself to sense how the student’s experience is going. And I don’t remember who thought of it, but what a great idea to practice giving instructions to myself when I’m meditating on my own, that’s a keeper.
-
I found it very humbling to give instruction. After hearing the instructions for several years, I thought it would just sort of flow easily. Hahaha! I felt like I rushed through, quickly firing off some random directions, but then left a great deal out. Now I know to pace myself more, pause in between instructions. Pretty sure I completely left out the part about eyes and gaze completely. If my partner had truly been a beginner, I’m not sure I provided sufficient information.
I was happy that I remembered at least a bit of the tree imagery, as I find it so helpful.
I was uncertain about how much to actually say during the actual meditation period, so I stayed quiet. I think now that a gentle reminder to simply come back to the breath if you get lost in thought is helpful, so next time I will include that if it seems appropriate. I was also concerned about my own meditation leading me to forget to watch the time, so I checked it constantly—I’m hoping that with practice I’ll develop a better feel for that.
I liked Susan’s suggestion to start at the bottom, then build up from there. Having a mental picture of the body from the cushion up can be a checklist I always have with me.
-
Hi Mary,
It is easy to get lost in our heads while giving the instruction. I can certainly understand the difficulty of switching from hearing the instructions to giving them. I like the tree imagery too, and I’m sure that was helpful to your partner. I think we have to give ourselves a lot of space at this point. Practice will certainly make this process easier. Thanks for sharing!
-
-
I enjoyed sharing meditation instruction last Saturday. It felt natural to extend the kindness I find in my self-instruction to my partner, and she was open and receptive. I did not feel nervous, so I volunteered to go first. I enjoyed sharing my own personal method, staying within the simple instructions.
We had a few moments of sharing feedback after each of us gave the instructions, and that was constructive. She noted that she felt grounded. We had decided to both leave our audio on while we practiced together, and I felt this was an important part of feeling connected during our practice.
I realized as I was receiving the instructions that I had skimmed over a couple of areas where I could have elaborated more, and that was interesting to see. My mind wanted to dwell on the perceived failings of my “performance,” so I gently brought myself back to the present moment. It was easy to reconnect to the practice once I let that go.
I think this is going to be helpful for any future students, because I can see how easily I go into thinking, even when I am focusing on another person. I can be prepared to drop the story line and just move back into noticing my breath and the other person.
-
-
My biggest insight in giving meditation instruction this time is that I need to “take my seat” before starting to give instruction. This provides a stable foundation for me, and whatever might arise with me and/or students(s), and also can energetically and physically model taking one’s seat for students. Bringing a calm, sane, presence is one of the things I need to bring as a teacher to be effective and allow the best chance for students to experience meditation. Although I have led meditation and given instructions many times, I felt I was “suddenly” on the spot. It was a good reminder to ground and settle myself, before I can reliably and effectively give instruction and hold the “field” for students.
-
Leading a sit, giving instruction felt….ok. I have led meditation previously but in a more floral way… lots of leading, almost hypnosis-like…detail, detail, detail! I truly enjoy the freedom and theatrics of that style. Trained in Neuro-linguistic programming, my style has thus far been to set a scene in a guided meditation. I see the distinction now that our new style is in the container… pared back (waaaaay back) and for good reason…focus on being awake and in the here and now, rather than the “elsewhere” and dreaminess of it all. Anyway, I think I went too simplistic. I have thought about it a lot since, and now have a way forward. “Bottom up or top down” is likely how I’ll go…a focus on the body – piece by piece. I know I forgot to mention where arms go, and hearing, and focus on the breath… and 10 minutes felt like a lifetime. Then, I just let myself off the hook and enjoyed the silence along with my partner. Always learning! 😉
-
Hello Dawa, I did an NLP Practitioner course and loved all the metaphor and reframing and scene-setting, too. It is still really useful (and creative and fun). I think there is a regular reminder in NLP (isn’t there?) that it is a toolkit based on observing best practice.
I, too, want to work on the paring-down aspects of guiding in this tradition in the OHP. It’s a challenge, but I really see the value of the simplicity of the practice. Thanks for posting!
-
-
I would say it was exciting to offer instruction. I was nervous, and I felt my voice and mind both wavering a bit. I tried to take a deep breath, and continue instruction. I tried to rest in the feeling of my own meditation, and give instruction based on that. I am enjoying the exploration of the interplay between the giving of instruction, and the receiving of your own instruction, and the practice, which the teacher and the students are all doing together. I was happy for the opportunity to teach another and grateful for my partner for receiving my instruction. I was a little uncertain about my delivery, but I did trust in my own practice and ability to teach. I do feel trust in myself in this process.
-
Hi Jake,
How wonderful to read about your experience giving instruction, especially since you guided me! I love the interplay you describe, which I felt similarly. I was grateful to receive your instruction, and our time ended before I could tell you that. What a gift to be able to share that with you now.Also, I relate to you saying “I did trust my own practice and ability to teach. I do feel trust in myself in this process.” Thank you for sharing that. “Trust” is a primary guiding principle of life for me, and I benefit from you sharing it in the context that you have. If you ever want to practice together again, just let me know: cherylsworld@hotmail.com – I welcome that. 🙂
-
-
Offering instruction to a partner this week was kind of an exhilarating experience. It was something that I very much wanted to do well and with reverence. Luckily, I had prepared for this moment. I had been taking notes from Susan’s recorded meditations and felt fairly confident that I wasn’t going to veer wildly off course.
My partner was kind and encouraging. I felt like I had passed the first gate in a new challenge course. Since last Saturday, I have been reflecting more on the experience. It feels like I was given a pair of glasses that I really needed. My vision is sharper and I can define edges more clearly. I think of the words: “It’s not easy, but it’s simple,” and I know I am just getting started.
Maybe the next time I offer instruction I will trip over my words, or say something that makes me cringe. I hope I will remember to laugh (lovingly) at myself and keep practicing. -
I felt natural at-ease-ness and relaxation with my meditation partner, which seemed to be mutual, so that was a big blessing, unspoken-yet-felt. I felt good that I could practice giving instruction in an environment of quiet and ease. I went second, so part of my mind starting thinking of what a good job he was doing, and hoping i could do the same. I did my best to let go of that and contine meditating. I did a good job with that. (His instruction was lovely, by the way.)
I felt a combination of ease and concern that I’d leave something out. I felt ease because I’ve been a practicing OHP student for quite a while, and I could hear Susan’s instruction in my mind. And, I’d been practicing giving instruction in silently in my mind mostly, and a few times aloud. It seemed like when I gave instruction to myself, inaudibly, that my mind was quieter, and my mind’s-eye could see more calmly and confidently the next instruction. I kept in mind: mindfulness of body, then mindfulness of breath then mindfulness of mind…
But… hearing my voice give instruction aloud, was, and is… requiring some calibration, and more concentration. I also was evaluating my instruction, a little bit, while giving instruction. I remember thinking, I’m glad this is learning-practice, vs a teaching-class.
..but my concerns were and are:
1) ..remembering all of the details of each part, and having a simple way to keep track in my mind..to ensure I’ve included everything..i.e. tucking chin down a little, to gently elongate & align the nect2) ..giving instruction clearly, warmly with just the right words and amount of explanation, combined with my own presence and natural expression. I don’t want to clutter the student’s mind, but to help: (i.e. Susan I recall your instruction, a while back, and your suggestion re: thoughts, was to imagine letting thoughts go, like letting pebbles fall from our hand, into a pond). That was helpful for me to see how easy it could be to let go of thoughts during meditation.
I look forward to practice giving instruction again, and to have a map of sorts to help along the way.
Thank you.. 🙂
-
-
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for sharing about your experience. I feel some of the same things you do, regarding concern of leaving something out. I can also relate to trusting the process, which you describe as: just leaving space for the practice to happen. Thank goodness for that! I think Susan says something like: trust the technique. So much learning and opportunity for growth and helping others.. in all of this:) -
My partner went first, and I felt in very good hands there – guided and soothed. This put me in a good mind state for my turn.
In the short meditations I have led so far, I have tended to linger on the embodied aspects – the feeling of both feet on the floor and the body in the chair, and then via the back / spine to the front body and the breath. I really enjoy this initial dynamic of settling into the posture, and also as a way of guiding attention gently but firmly out of the head.
From my partner’s feedback on Saturday I understood that some of this focus and the wording around it might have been unfamiliar. I think I might have got a bit more stuck into this physical focus on the way to the awareness of the breath than I have experienced so far when listening to teachers in the OHP.
More prosaically, in future practice sessions I need to remember to clear away the clutter from my “gaze space” beforehand. I also need to learn how to use the timer on my phone so that it stays open. I also had to laugh inwardly at being slightly surprised that someone close to me on the screen had their eyes open, too!
I suppose the bigger question that I would like to explore is to what extent leading a meditation can actually “count” as my own meditation, especially in a short session where there is less space for the special shared silence around the spoken guidance. Perhaps that is why I appreciate the embodied introduction as described above, where I can be talking but also still really feeling into my feet on the rug/floor/mat.
-
Thanks for this essay question!
This first direct interaction with a single fellow student was in a way something I looked forward to and also dreaded. Mixed feelings like this always give me ‘stage fright’, which I felt going into the break out room. While I teach law at the university in Groningen, and understand the great benefits of peer teaching, giving instruction to a fellow student, who is also knowledgeable about what the instruction is about, still somehow creates a sense of insecurity. My partner and me had a lovely first talk about getting to the breakout room together and having to do the exercise. My partner was really open in how she felt and this was a great relief to me, as I was feeling somewhat similar. This created space to embrace the discomfort together.
As we agreed my partner would go first, I was happy to experience how meditating shortly before giving instruction actually helps to sharpen my awareness to both the physical technique of posture and breathing and the non-physical technique of working with the mind, awareness and attention. By arriving at the moment of offering instruction with this preparation, I noticed that my mind was not busy anymore with concerns about posture and attention and this allowed me to also incorporate the element of attitude, having a gentleness to bringing the attention back to the breath and an uplifting demeanor. My partner and I also discussed something she said she may have left out of the instruction and felt it not appropriate to introduce this while we were already meditating. While we were already quite some minutes into the session I was guiding, I introduced some instructions to allow us both to experience how helpful or disruptive this may be for us. I felt very relieved to have the space to have a fellow student to be able to experiment together safely.
My experience offering instruction in this course and sharing our experiences, first in the breakout room and afterwards collectively with Susan and all fellow students were very humbling and enable me to have a little bit more understanding of what a meditation teacher does and does not. The dread is mostly gone now. I really look forward to our following steps!
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.