My friend, Maureen, teaches bellydancing and used to hold her class at a community center in her town. The class before hers was a Qigong class taught by a very nice woman named, Dahlia. About two years ago, Dahlia began hosting an Aum(Om) meditation once a month and Dennis and I have been going just about every month ever since.
There is a small group of us, sometimes only four and we chant for an hour then meditate for twenty minutes. It's a wonderful experience. Once in a while there is another man who participates but usually it is all women and Dennis. The sound we create is amazing. Last night there were eight of us and it sounded as if there were twenty. Everyone finds there own pitch; the tone that resonates for them and we chant "Aum". Adherence to a particular belief system isn't required to engage in and benefit from this powerful experience.
"Aum" is from Hinduism and the symbol represents the absolute and unknowable creator of all. The sound itself is said to be the sound of creation. It is all the sounds and transcends sound. My response to statements like that is usually "Okay." Because, really, what can you say to that? Having participated in many Aum chants I can see where this idea came from. It is a very peace-inducing, spirit-lifting, community-making experience and I'm grateful to be a part of it.
Dahlia rearranged the original plan for this month so Dennis could participate one last time before he left for Afghanistan. The other women have grown quite fond of him and there were hugs and tears and well wishes and prayers for his safety and safe return. We will be saving his seat for him in the coming months expecting him in it come January 2009.
Namaste.
You described such a beautiful experience.
I found mindfulness meditation to be very powerful, very centering.
Wishing you and your entire family well, especially your Dennis.
What a wonderful gathering that will be in January 2009!
- Lee
Posted by: Lee | January 16, 2008 at 02:24 AM