“Have
you ever found yourself running around doing things while you breath quickly
and your heart beats too fast?
If
left to your own natural pace what would your breathing be like, your pulse be
like, operating in your own rhythm?
Discovering this rhythm gives a certain feeling of freedom to know
ourselves.” Ewan
Bonham
Today I am speaking with Ewan Bonham
who, along with Starlight will be hosting a weekly Transcendent
Activation class Sundays at 3 pm slt beginning March 19, 2017. Ewan is sharing the experience of Mindful Meditation
with SL residents to help them find that freedom.
Seersha Heart: For those who may not know, what is
meditation?
Ewan Bonham:
Meditation is a practice of concentrated
focus upon a sound object visualization, the breath, movement or attention
itself… in order to increase awareness of the present moment. It is used to reduce stress, promote
relaxation and enhance personal and spiritual growth.
One
source of stress is our mind jumping around to things it has no control over:
the past, the future. We have a habit of
thinking about these issues continually, but we find peace as we live our
moments in the present.
When
we focus on the present moment we feel a sense of peace and can enjoy the sensations
of that moment. This leads to each of
these moments being a richer experience.
Seersha Heart: One of the other techniques you will be
discussing is “Mindfulness” meditation.
How would you describe that activity?
Ewan Bonham:
Simply sit in stillness allowing whatever thoughts you have come to your mind.
You acknowledge them and sense their flow but you give them no energy. You do not pursue the thoughts, letting them
float in and out. As you let go of these
thoughts you gain an ability to stay in the present.
You
create a detachment from distracting thoughts to gain insight and awareness of
self.
Seersha Heart: Your class is called Transcendent
Activation. What do you mean when you
use this term?
Ewan Bonham:
Transcendence means beyond the body,
also beyond our strict time table and beyond the physical. Transcendence is a reduction of our awareness
of our physical bodies and a letting go of our emphasis on time. Your body and your mind can regulate itself.
Seersha Heart: What made you think of SL as a good place for
your class?
Ewan Bonham: SL is very convenient to use. You just need a
laptop and to construct your own personal Ashram. Our meeting as a group while
using the simple tools in SL, gives you the freedom to construct your method
and space to take time out of your RL day.
When we meet as a group we will go through many of the different tools
that help to create an ambiance. The end
product will be to build you own private space for focused meditation.
Seersha Heart: You are saying your group will be making
their own meditation area using the tools in SL?
Ewan Bonham: We begin by showing a simple platform. I want each person to find a place, where
nobody else knows you are around, your own corner of the world for this ashram
to be used.
Some
of the SL tools we will use in building our ambiance are lighting, textures,
our cameras and scenes. Other tools include the use of words, affirmations,
music and sounds. Some find it useful to
use a moving object for focus [moving art].
These are all basic building tools to use to make your ashram.
After
discussing the ashram I will talk the group through a meditative
experience. The breath is the anchor of
meditation, if you concentrate on how your breath sounds and feels it is much
easier to stay in the present.
Seersha Heart: People attending the class will meet other
residents. What are the social and
interactive elements of your group?
Ewan Bonham:
We will practice meditation and follow it up with a group discussion. Members can share what the experience was
like for them. Perhaps something that
has popped up for them. Some people have
memories or feelings they haven’t had in years. Once released, they become more
available to the present.
Discovering
and sharing with group members in our natural state has a comforting feeling.
We
will also be traveling to some of the many SIMs that are designed creatively
and beautifully. They have been created
with meditative spots in mind.
Seersha Heart: You will be meeting in a dedicated skybox for
meditation. Will you describe it for us?
Ewan Bonham:
It is represented in the picture. This is a quiet and private space where we
can flexibly present many of the elements discussed above. Group members can determine what feels right
for each of them.
Seersha Heart:
Should people interested in your class bring anything with them to class?
Ewan Bonham:
Just themselves and their own open minds and hearts.
Community Cultural Hub
SURL: WBH Community Cultural Hub, Inspiration Island (87, 118,
22) – Moderate
Transcendence Skybox
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