Imagine, if you will, Dirty Harry. Sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat. A full breath taken in through the nose, then released as a whispered “Om” chant.
It’s silly to think of it that way, but it may well be true. One of the many interesting nuggets of info I learned about Clint Eastwood from this GQ article is that he’s been meditating twice a day for nearly 40 years.
Yes, that Clint Eastwood. Icon Emeritus of cinematic masculinity and machismo. A meditatin’ fool.
If he can do it, so can you.
Don’t like the word “meditate”? Go with “getting focused” or “centered.” Or call it “mxyxptlk.” Whatever works for you.
Lani taught me one way that got me past my initial resistance. (Not sure where she got it or if she made it up. I’ll have to ask her.) It goes like this:
1. Set a timer for 10 minutes.
2. Get a pen and a piece of blank paper.
3. Start by drawing a circle. Any size, doesn’t matter.
4. Draw whatever comes to mind next. Circles, spirals, stars, squares, dodecahedrons, calligraphy, entirely up to you. Choose to keep your pen tip on the paper or not, also up to you.
5. Stop after ten minutes.
Simple. Do it once a day, any time before you start your work day, for three weeks. Then tell us what you think about meditation.
I was imperfect about it in 2009, but on the days I did it, it kept me sane. I humbly invite you to give it a shot in 2010.
