Learning to Breathe-Chapters 1 to 10

[Priscilla]

Welcome back, Shanti. I'm sorry that the last few weeks have been difficult. I find the holidays are challenging, especially as family members all around me age. I've tried to stay focused on the healing strategies and techniques I've learned and found so helpful. But I've consumed a tin full of dark chocolate pretzels which a friend sent me for the holidays :-)
Thank you for reminding me to be grateful. I thank you and everyone here for making this space so healing, helpful, supportive and friendly. I send lovignkindness to you and your loves ones.

[[deleted user]]

Happy New Year to you too Shanti!

[Lisa]

I'm a little late to this discussion, but just started reading this book and would like to add my thoughts ;) It enhances my reading experience so thank you to everyone who already posted.

1) Have you ever had anxiety, even if not at the level that Priscilla describes? In other words, can you relate to the premise of this book? Feel free to share in any level of detail.

-I can relate to the premise of this book and yes, I have experienced anxiety. I suffer from mild anxiety on an almost daily business and feel the need to keep this in check with lots of notes and lists. I feel better able to cope and carry on when I know that little list will put me back on track. I also do yoga and am starting to meditate!

2) As she starts her search for calmness, Priscilla learns meditation from a monk, who'd had panic issues himself. He tells everyone "this is not the College of Meditation, where you will finish with a degree." What do you think he meant by that?

- I think the Monk is telling the students that each person will create their own experience and learn different things from the retreat. It's not a cookie cutter college class and there isn't going to be a final exam ;)

3) Starting a regular meditation practice makes Priscilla more emotional, even "exploding" in front of her son. Why is that--and has that happened to you?

- I think Priscilla exploded because she was experiencing a major therapeutic extraction of all the bottled up emotion! Her mind and body needed the release! I have had a few emotional upsets in my time, usually at my husband's expense!

4) When Priscilla goes to see her old nanny, and Mamie tells her she dreamed about Priscilla's son welcoming her and telling her they've been waiting for her, what do you think was going on?

- not sure how I feel about this one, perhaps it is a symbolic dream for Mamie, and it creates an invitation to get in touch!

5) At that chanting workshop she attends with Krishna Das and Sharon Salzberg (I was so jealous reading that!), Sharon says "when you're wide open [in the heart], the world is a good place." What do you make of that? How can you stay in that place as much as possible, even when the world doesn't seem so good?

- What a great thought! I hope to keep this one in place and look for the good!