Painting meditation

 

In an attempt to invite more spirituality into my life I took up a meditation course about 6 weeks ago. I loved it from the very first moment. Meditation wasn’t new for me (my mom introduced me to it when I was 14 or so), but I’d never meditated in a group before. I felt the energy that filled the room during a meditation with so many people. My favourite part of the classes was singing mantra’s, some of them really seemed to resonate with something deep inside of me. And the painting meditation was simply amazing: creating art from the soul, not caring what my mind thinks about it, but just creating for the joy of creation.

I enjoyed going to these classes. After the first course I took the continuation course. When that had finished I looked forward to continuing meditation in the centre. But in order to be allowed to continue,  there were a few requirements I had to meet. Curious I sat down to hear what they were. With each one, my joy disappeared little by little:

1. be a vegetarian

2. do not smoke

3. do not drink alcohol

4. either be single and stay single or be married

 
 

Right. That was it then. I meet two out of four requirements (#1 and 2) and I’m not willing to meet the other two. I know many guru’s and teachers want their students to give up cigarettes, drinks and eating meat and while I do share their view that it’s healthier, I still think everyone should decide themselves what is right for them. What really disappointed me was requirement #4: be single and stay single or be married. I’m neither single nor married and I don’t have any plans to either break up or get married any time soon, so that means I’m not allowed to come to the meditations anymore. Apparently a genuine wish to meditate is not enough to be part of the group. I’ll admit it made me sad.

I’d really like to find a group of people to meditate with. A group of likeminded spirits with only one requirement: the wish to meditate.