It is a sunny morning as I sit and sip my coffee. There are many jobs to do and a small list beside me that already has some ticks on it. I love my lists and I especially love getting to tick them off. On my list I have piano practice, work on a new track, skincare, exercise, and meditate.
This morning, the day after the Bank Holiday weekend, I woke up to teach piano at 9am. During lockdown, this is my preferred teaching time. One box ticked. Next, skincare, followed by meditation. This is what I call a “Double Win”, where I achieve one goal while simultaneously achieving another. I wash my face and put a facemask on, now it is time for a 20 minute meditation as my skin enjoys its little treatment. I sometimes combine this with the “Alexander Technique”, where I lie flat on the ground and place a thickish book under my head. A Triple Win: clean skin, mindfulness, and good posture.
Meditation can be challenging and often frustrating. For me, it’s about watching your thoughts pass by and allowing your mind to rest. Particularly during lockdown, I have found that my thoughts are racing towards the future and not the present.
“What will happen.”
“Where will the arts go.”
“I hope my parents don’t get sick.”
I watch these thoughts and let them go.
Meditation has helped me anchor myself in the present moment. For me it is a very personal experience and there is no perfect way to do it. I think, in doing it, I am embracing the present moment and letting my body and mind have a break from achieving.
This morning's meditation was found on YouTube. I searched for “20 minutes guided meditation.” I was set adrift on a cloud as the guide brought me to a place of calm and let my imagination choose the oasis.
It’s funny for me as my oasis usually has synthesizers in it. Again, meditation is personal.
I love visualising a paradise with a wonderful outdoor music studio.
Then a thought pops into my mind: “You must send that email”. A job I forgot to put on the list. I watch the thought and I let it go. Now is not the time. The practice of not holding onto thoughts is a continuous one. It is always slightly difficult to let thoughts go, including funny or positive ones. Sometimes they can be even harder. Back to the oasis. The guide tells me to watch my breath. Become conscious of how I breathe. My breath becomes slower without any effort to do so.
Breath is the kindest tool for mindfulness. Often when I am teaching piano and a student gets stressed about sight-reading or scales, I ask them to take a deep breath in and out. It’s a fast track to the present moment.
As the meditation comes to an end, I am feeling calm and ready to practice the piano and write some music. It is a challenging time for everyone but our mindset makes all the difference.
