Cheryl Finley
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Hi Cliff. Thank you so much for sharing how you’ve been enriched by this course, even in your experience of teaching meditation as you have. Indeed, it is a joy that there is always more to learn in each experience. I echo that. 😊
Hi Kimberly. While reading your essay I felt my heart and breathing expand. Wow.. Thank you for capturing so beautifully the aspects of the class that speak to you, and for sharing your experience, learning and outlook. What a delight! 😊🌻
Question: Do you feel prepared to offer 1:1 instruction? If not, what do you think is missing?
The answer is yes…”and”…I’m still in process. The seeming-missing part is practicing: 1) the items on the Checklist, and 2) responding to FAQs.
I do feel prepared to give 1:1 instruction. Practicing in class, and aloud and silently to myself when sitting alone has been a fruitful experience, and it’s always a new beginning, a new experience.
I am now, discovering and practicing my responses to the FAQs.
I will begin practicing, to the best of my ability and with self-kindness & gentleness, the Checklist points as if I were giving instruction 1:1 (or small group). Beginning with consciously preparing my heart and mind ahead, to the best of my ability to be a loving-kind, compassionate presence and container for the experience of the instruction to unfold, as well as preparing the physical the space (be it online or in person); and the other checklist items.
Practicing coordination of the points on the Checklist, and the FAQs will allow me become more familiar with, iron-out any wrinkles…(i.e. remembering to start the timer/ Insight Timer bell…) and let it become integrated as naturally as possible, while making shifts, and learning from mistakes and awkward places, which in themselves provide another context for practice.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that it will go flawlessly, whatever that means. That’s one of spiritual parts for me, the spiritual journey… that things have a way of working out (even if it might not look like it at first). My experience has been that Grace provides; and I will be listening, heeding, adjusting…and practicing.
I am grateful for this journey. ❤️
All of this being said, I’ve never taught meditation to someone I didn’t know, let alone someone (or a group) I’m meeting for the first time. This returns me to the spiritual principle (for me) of trust.. and that the reason I’m called to do this now, is for a reason beyond my human reasoning, or description, and to trust that. Trust is my Container.
Hi Ana. I thank you for sharing your experience of reading my story. I feel that. And yes, making things relatable, I agree, does sum up what it means to be a great teacher. I am thankful that my mom had that, and shared it with me (and my siblings). I’m glad you could appreciate my story. 🙂
Hi Glenn. Glad you could see yourself in some of what I shared. I’m thankful that you can appreciate it.
Oh, what an interesting question re: how I do the professional stuff, more in the way of teachings of my mom. Hmm….
…I don’t have any professional stuff at the moment, but I think the answer is… my mom had a way of making things relatable, practical.. a way of thinking and looking at something to help me grasp the idea and foundation of things.
I guess it’s breaking things down, the same way we know that four quarters = $1.00; and that we know our multiplication tables. once we know the principles or working ideas around that…it can be applied to many things in life in a practical way…
…With that in mind, and letting it settle there, and even plant a “seed-question” to your self, i.e. asking: “how can I apply_______ or learn_____ in a practical way (or whatever the case may be); and then let it go from your mind, and do other things of .. and gently ask it again whenever you think about it, then let it go. It’s possible that, in time, a response will meander into your mind. “but don’t take my word for it”, as Susan reminds us. This is simply what I do, whenever I have questions, and know answers won’t come if I try to wrestle them out of my conscious mind. Eventually (and often right on time) I receive an answer, sometimes in the way of problem/challenge being solved; or an idea; or an opportunity.. etc.
I hope I understood your question correctly, and that some part of this is helpful to you. Please let me know how it goes. You might even get the idea of another way to handle it. Hope you enjoy the process! It has served me well since about age 12 or 13; again from my mom. 🙂
Hi Dawa… I definitely relate to being precise, I am a precise baker to, one more way to practice mindfulness. Her tips were really foundational teaching, so that even though I was measuring precisely, I knew the crux of what the measurement was based on. Even though, as a child I didn’t know that, but it sure came in handy throughout life. And anything in between, was to get a good estimate until measuring was possible (like the yard of fabric example). I admire that you are a good “winging” it baker. My my was like that too in many things. When I asked her to share her recipe for pizza dough, it took her a while..because she didn’t measure.. lol!
I think I can relate to your son’s reaction when you toss things in without measure. Just reading that, and imagining if I were next to you… I’d want to know the exact, exeept for a pinch.. I can handle that. 🙂 Thank you for sharing.. I do appreciate it.
Hi Kat,
I completely resonate with what you have stated so beautifully. Yes, yes, yes. Indeed, it’s poetry to me. Thank you. 🙂This topic is still processing for me. Right now I feel it would depend on the situation, and the opportunities that arise.
I’ve learned that sometimes when I try to predict a situation, and decide ahead of time how I will handle it, it can constrict my very joy of whatever it is I’m offering (be it tangible or intangible). And in letting go (to the best of my ability) of the figuring-it-out-mind, and be true to the intention to: serve, to help others, to be anchored in my heart & its guidance, to trust– that’s an opening for opportunity to dawn. Often it can come with offerings that simply wipe away all pre-conceived concerns; or provide a harmonious way to work through things…
…One example of this, happened early in the work world. I’d interviewed for a job, there was a sense of mutual agreement that it was a good fit. They said they’d be in touch. During that time, after belaboring, I was able to come up with & be at peace with a salary that I’d ask for. They called after a few days, and offered me the job at exactly the amount I had in mind. Everything is not always that exacting, but the principle holds, and things work out. My move from IL to GA is another example. There are many, I am grateful to say.
So, I will continue to abide in the Container of my Heart’s Intention to: help others & myself by teaching & practicing meditation, listen within and act as I’m guided, to go where I’m called to be, talk with those I’m called to speak with, and act on all inspiration-whispers. I will see how it unfolds, and respond accordingly at that time.
I am grateful for the Grace that abounds.
Hi Stina,
I resonate with your first paragraph, which about says it all for me too. Thank you for your clarity. 🙂Hi Virginia,
I resonate with what you’ve shared. All depending upon the situation at the time, and our personal situations can change. Thank you for sharing. Your clarity is calming for me. 🙂Hi Virginia. Your experience with one of your daughtes-in-law.. oh, what a treasure to feel “..acknowledged, heard and valued”, as you described. I’m happy for you..! 😊❤️🌻
Hi Virginia, I’m glad you enjoyed it..and can relate to your experience of still hearing her voice… 😊 Thank.you for sharing that.
Hi Elizabeth,
😊 Your description of the ideal learning environment, echoes my own; as does the less-than-ideal example. I’m glad that your ideal learning environment resonated with and nourished your senses, your heart, and your learning.As you’ve described, learning involves the curriculmn/education, plus so much more. It’s a multi-sensory experience (beyond 5-senses) and your ideal example seems to describe just that…
…and your less-than-ideal experience describes the lack of of that. I cannot imagine having to endure that. It doesn’t even sound like a human element was in involed. Whew! I’m so glad you got through it. — Isn’t it wonderful to be aware of how we learn, and to know/learn, what is ideal for us? I hope your future CEU courses provide a user-friendly, user-sensitive option for you. 💞☀️😊 Thank you so much for sharing the story of your experiences!
Hi Elizabeth. 😊 Thank you so much. I’m glad you could appreciate the lessons from my mom, and the experience of learning in person, or at least face-to-face (possibly video from teachr’s you/I feel in touch with.)
As I reflect, the wonderful thing about being in-person is, it’s an Intentional Container, a cocoon of sorts, away from the pace of life outside of it (and, thankful that there are teachers, like Susan, that know how to capture this via video. If not for her videos each week all those years ago, my experience of meditation would not be the same. I had been searching a long time; nor would I be here, now. Thank you Susan!❤️)
As for the efficient, good-hearted professional oganzier, it was not, at that point, a part of her orientation to a new client.. to check-in on those points. Over the years I began to learn and be awake to how I learn best, and stop trying to fit my nature, into someone else’s idea that worked for them. I knew none of this then, and thought there was some deficiency within myself. I’m grateful for the spiritual journey, and all the ingredients that it contains, and I do my best to abide in these learnings. They are infused in my engagement with others, and allows my ongoing learning and its integration, as well. — It has been a joy engaging with you!
P.S. I agree. There are so many emotional factors regarding decluttering organizing, etc. And I am grateful that through another friend, I eventually found someone sensitive & wise to all of that.