Life is fraught with anxiety for a lot of us right now; mild depression seems widespread.  We might be worried for ourselves, or for the hardships and suffering of our friends. Our nation seems to be in meltdown in many ways, and we're pissed at our relative powerlessness.  We may be having trouble sleeping, or remembering our dreams...

Some Masters tell us that our suffering is an illusion, or that our faith in God isn't strong enough.  I don't know that any of that matters for right now for us.  We may need some respite, though.  Relaxation can help, and that's the first step of meditation.  Ten or fifteen minutes a day can help slow down our heart rates, relax our bellies for better digestion, and get our muscle tension eased, both internally and externally.

I have usually been a flop at meditating.  I've taken classes in yoga, and sat with some heavy Swamis.  But I never excelled at the practices.  Lately I've been in rather dire straits, and discovered a few things that have helped me unwind, and empty the clatter and chatter in my mind.

There are many methods, and books and tapes and DVDs abound.  I have lots of programs like Brainwave Journey and others that guaranteed would turn me into some Magical Meditate-ress.  As you all know, that never happened!

Many of you are likely more knowledgeable than I, but I will try not to be apologetic for the simple help I offer here. (Though, if any of this work, you must send me a 50-cent royalty for each use:  the Reverend Wendy Davis...etc. C'Ville Dem has my address.)

In a quiet spot, sit comfortably with your clothes as loose as possible.  You don't need to sit on your feet, or in a lotus; some of our joints are too creaky, some of can't even get onto the floor comfortably any more...but if you use a chair, use one with a back you can rest against.   If your hips can be higher than your knees, so much the better.  During the exercise, don't get pissed at yourself!  This all about Allowing, not Forcing!  Don't tell yourself to relax; nothing brings tension faster.

Allow your eyes to close, and listen to your breath.  Allow it to come more slowly...in through your nose...and out through your mouth.  After ten or so breaths out through your mouth, let it come out through your nose... as it comes out, feel it gently on the skin below your nose.  In...and out...What we are looking for is a more quiet mind, more quiet body.  Right now you may be seeing thoughts and words and pictures streaming by your mind-screen...and feel a furrow between your eyes.  Hmmmm.  Allow your eyes to gently roll up toward your forehead, toward your (yes, mystical) third eye.  All of a sudden the color and quality of the things on your screen will change; the words might decrease, the images become lighter.   Imagine that intruding thoughts can be changed into little puffs of white clouds...or smoke...and let them sail off, in either direction.  You may have just smiled a bit...continue to feel the breath under your nose...allow your arms, and your legs to let go; the chair (the earth) will support you...let the muscles in your face and neck go...and especially your forehead...that poor, tired brain, thinking too much, as if thoughts could save the world, or you, for that matter!  You might want to remember a place from your life where you felt the best, the most complete and safe...and secure.  Go there...and breathe.  You might be getting antsy; that's okay...you don't have to stay still...I find that I relax best in motion...a gentle forward and backward motion, much in the way Jewish men pray...it feels wonderful...it massages parts of your body as you sway...you may sigh, or weep, or smile...you may say to yourself, 'it's okay...it's okay...here I am...I am here...'..let the words go...

By now your breathing should be deep and long; the knot below your sternum may be unwinding...oops, here comes another thought...let it go in a puff of cloud or smoke...you might be seeing little kaleidoscopes of color on your retinas...cool...by now you may be nodding Yes...or shed a few tears, which will relax you further...tears bring endorphins...pleasure...your body may feel both heavier and lighter at the same time...breathe...as long as you wish...

You may slowly open your eyes when you are ready.  The world and the colors around you may look a little brighter...like you just had your windshield wiped...ah, go ahead and laugh...