Week 27 Day 4

Medi object - choiceless awareness

Intention - to remain alert

Morning all! Around 30 minutes. Today I started my tube meditation a few stops later as I was distracting trying to plan my evening, so I continued it until my assigned stop.

Although intention was strong, the thoughts of planning were still in my head at the start and it took me a while to wade through the web of them. After that I noticed that the train was unusually quiet no people on phones and onerous smells. Was I dreaming?

As I got off to catch my connecting train - the frosty breeze across the platform greeted me and the faint smell of cooking bacon was mingled in. I sat on the bench with my eyes closed and tried to be equanimous with the icing process that was going on on my right side.

The train came quickly and was fairly empty and I found one of those single seats next to the door, I had crossed my arms due to the cold and continued to cross my arms, I noted that to the left of me, the metal panel was very cold so I made sure I didn't lean on it. As I crossed my arms, I absent-mindedly prodded my right bicep and experienced an exquisite pain - the type that has both pleasant and unpleasant vedana. I stopped prodding and refocused.

Today there was a French family sitting near by. Just two couples this time, no children. They spoke quietly though, unlike the majority of tourists who think that when they are not in their own country they are in an empty warehouse and the locals around them are mannikins!

I was drawn to focus on the sensations from my crossed arms because I don't usually do that. Besides the prodding of the bicep, I could feel my arms pressing onto my belly as I breathed. It seemed vaguely comforting as though I was in a coccoon. I heard some voices and opened my eyes and was confronted with an absolutely packed train with two women standing in front of me.  How did that happen - I must have drifted off.

So today, not as alert as I would have liked, I think that I need to start meditating as soon as I start my journey and try not to be distracted by planning thoughts. Tomorrow I try again!

Have a great day and practice!

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