Meditation is a tall, gentle brunette named Sally
January 26, 2007
M editation has always been something lurking there on the periphery of my life. Oh, there have been brief flirtations, trysts, and the occasional affair with her, in yoga classes and so on. But never a three-hour session the likes of the one I participated in on Saturday afternoon at Shanti Yoga Studio. The Lou-ster and I went in with doubts and no small level of apprehension, and walked out feeling more alive and in the moment than ever. I felt sad to leave such a lovely and peaceful, and safe practice session. It felt like a holy sanctuary.
Sally Issenman led us through our three-hour Buddhadharma practice session, the narrow path, in which there is a focus on the outward breath, and a broader meditation, during which the focus is expanded beyond the self. The second half of the class was focused on the five wisdom energies--and the accompanying shadow (thank you Carl Jung--or maybe Jung should be thanking the Buddhists) energies. Sally is a soft-voiced, gentle woman who has been studying and practicing the Buddhadharma for over 11 years. According to the Shanti Yoga web site, she has a diploma in nursing, and studied at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado for an M.A in Religious Studies concentrating in Engaged Buddhism. In May 2000, she attended Buddhist Seminary for three months, before returning home to Alberta. Sally has been teaching meditation on a weekly basis for three years at the U of A Hospital.
It was a brilliant three hours. I’m looking forward to the next series.
Om Mani Padme Hum
A deep and humble namaste to you, Sally. I'm grateful.
2 Comments
1. Mike Gravel had this to say: Jan 28, 2007 ~ 21:48 ~ #
Sounds very cool. Is this meditation thing a drop in? Or do you have register or something?