1-25-14

I was unable to truly meditate on this day because I was at a boy scout ski camp out and was therefore confined to a rather noisy cabin. However, I did have the chance to borrow a friend's noise-cancelling headphones and lay down in bed for some time to listen to music. I would say I spent about a half hour doing this during the time at which my cabin was at its rowdiest. I decided that truly focusing on the music was the closest I would be able to get to meditation, so I decided that I would try to really feel the music. 

     I listened to music primarily in Spanish and Hebrew. This is because I have very powerful emotions associated with both of these languages, making the words alone a beautiful sound to my ears. Also, it should be noted that much of those emotions are stimulated from the sound of the language; I don't understand very much Hebrew, but I could distinguish it from any other language. On the other hand, I understand most of the words said in the Spanish music I listen to. But I repeat, it is more of the sound of the language, not the so much the words, that stimulates an emotional response from me.

     While listening to the music, I tried to focus on the emotions that it stirred in my mind. I was not focused on understanding those emotions, I just wanted to feel them. It was like reliving a number of great memories by experiencing the emotional footprints that they left behind. It was not meditation for my mind, but rather meditation for my soul. I enjoyed it, as it made me feel jubilant. Additionally, it helped me separate myself from the haphazardness of the cabin and created a focused feeling of joy in my heart. 

     I tried to devote a stretch of time to this "musical meditation" but I was consistently interrupted by tasks or people calling out my name. However, when interrupted, I realized that, rather than react and be irritated, I was Sean Covey's definition of proactive. I remained in good spirit throughout every interruption and felt an enhanced sense of wholeness, as if I was doing what I was meant to do. It was a good feeling, and I hope I will experience it more often.