So, I started getting into this meditation thing, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride. I heard about this guy, Tim Olmsted, who’s apparently big in the meditation scene. He’s been around, worked with Pema Chödrön, and even ran some Buddhist monastery up in Nova Scotia. Sounds serious, right?
First thing I did was dig up some info on him. Turns out, he’s got this Pema Chödrön Foundation and used to be the director of Gampo Abbey. I thought, “Okay, this guy knows his stuff.”
- I found some free online course from Mingyur Rinpoche. I enrolled in it. It was a good starting point.
- Then, I started looking for stuff specifically from Tim. Found some “Weekly Teachings” and “Short Meditation Instructions.” I started with some of the short guided meditations. Simple enough, even for a newbie like me.
- I got curious and peeked at their “Bodhisattva Path Study Curriculum.” Seemed a bit much for me at this stage, but hey, it’s there if I ever want to go deep.
Next, I decided to try out one of his online weekend workshops. It was all about diving deeper into meditation, with talks and practice sessions. Honestly, it was a bit intense, but I stuck with it. I even managed to sit through a few periods of extended silence. Who knew I had that in me?
Here’s how a typical session went:
- We’d start with some breathing exercises, just to get centered.
- Tim would give a talk about some aspect of meditation or Buddhist philosophy. Sometimes it went over my head, but I got the gist of it.
- Then, we’d meditate. Sometimes guided, sometimes in silence. It was tough at first, but I started to get the hang of it.
- We’d end with a Q&A. People asked all sorts of questions, and Tim always had a thoughtful answer.
After the workshop, I felt like I had a better grasp of what meditation was all about. It’s not just about sitting still and trying not to think. It’s more about observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Still working on that, by the way.
I even went to a three-day in-person retreat. Lots of meditation, some key teachings, and shared meals. It was cool to be around other people who were into this stuff. Felt like a little community.
So, that’s my journey with Tim Olmsted’s teachings so far. It’s been a mix of online stuff, a workshop, and even a retreat. I’m no expert, but I’m definitely more mindful and less stressed than I used to be. If you’re thinking about trying meditation, I’d say give it a shot. And maybe check out Tim’s stuff. He seems to know what he’s talking about.
I will continue to practice.
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