| Some people actually think that they cannot | | | | and imagine a beautiful rose. It may be red, yellow, |
| meditate. They claim it is impossible to do. Some of | | | | white, or pink. You choose the color. See it so vividly |
| these same people have tried several methods and | | | | in your mind's eye that you can smell its fragrance. |
| still insist that they cannot meditate. Do you fall into | | | | Hold that image of that rose for thirty seconds.o |
| this category? Are you feeling frustrated because | | | | While you are seeing that beautiful rose, don't think |
| you would love to get the benefits people are talking | | | | about that cow. Don't even try to remember what |
| about that come as a result of meditation? | | | | color that cow was or what size it was; just don't |
| If you happen to fall into this category, here's a | | | | think about that cow, simply the rose, its beauty and |
| simple exercise that you can do at home, alone, or | | | | its fragrance.o Now open your eyes slowly and sit still |
| with a group. In the smaller circles of meditation it is | | | | for at least thirty seconds. Just take in the |
| called' the cow and the rose' exercise. If you're alone, | | | | experience and notice your thoughts. |
| you may want to record the step by step | | | | Did you feel the mood change when the cow |
| instructions, or you may have someone read the | | | | interfered with the rose? What did the cow do to |
| steps to you. | | | | the rose? Who do you suppose was seeing that |
| The Cow and the Rose Exercise:o Find a comfortable | | | | cow, its color and size? Who do you suppose was |
| position and close your eyes. No need to concentrate | | | | changing that color on that rose and enjoying the |
| on your breathing or posture or even if you're | | | | beautiful fragrance? |
| standing, sitting, or lying down. It doesn't matter if | | | | That was the deeper 'you'. The one that is taken for |
| you're indoors or outdoors.o Now imagine a cow | | | | granted and is lost in the shuffle of the daily routines. |
| standing right in front of you. The cow may be white | | | | If you can make that cow come and go at will, and |
| with brown spots or brown with white spots. It may | | | | change that color of that rose, then there is no |
| be small or big, it may be facing you or you may be | | | | doubt that you can meditate. So go ahead and try |
| looking at its profile. The point is to hold on to that | | | | that meditation class again, now that you know you |
| image of the cow.o Hold on to the image of the cow | | | | can meditate. Reap those fantastic benefits that |
| for thirty seconds. You may change its size or color if | | | | meditation has to offer you. |
| you like; just hold that image.o Now clear your screen | | | | |