Meditation Station

Image via Vogue

This weekend I finally checked something major off my to-do list. I started the four day Transcendental Meditation training. I've wanted to learn TM, as it's called, for a long time. TM is one of the myriad meditation techniques out there, and it's known for being effortless and effective -- two selling points that won me over.

Over the years I've tried different meditation apps including Ten Percent Happier and Headspace. I was ready to go a little deeper, and not have to rely on technology. The TM method involves a mantra and a commitment of 20 minutes twice each day. I don't know that I'll always be able to squeeze it in, but I sure will try. There's a famous quote about finding the time to meditate... "You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day. Unless you're too busy, then you should sit for an hour."

Another good one: "Meditation is the most direct path to returning home." I'm not sure how meditation will help me personally, but if I can start feeling a little more at home in myself, and a bit more at ease in my day to day, I'm all for it. As I drove home from my training on Day One I rolled down the windows to let in the gorgeous fresh fall air. I put on SiriusXM and Alanis Morissette's Hand in My Pocket came on. It felt like the most fitting song, all about not having life quite figured out, but giving a peace sign. Being sane but overwhelmed, etc. All the dichotomies. All about the hard, magical human experience. With TM, and with all of my personal work, I have a lifetime of practicing to go. But taking the first step with TM feels monumental. I'm glad Alanis was there to serenade me on my way home. I'm glad I'll have a mantra and one more tool in TM to help me find my way home to myself.

AES

Hand in My Pocket
Alanis Morissette

I'm broke but I'm happy, I'm poor but I'm kind
I'm short but I'm healthy, yeah
I'm high but I'm grounded, I'm sane but I'm overwhelmed
I'm lost but I'm hopeful, baby
And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna be fine, fine, fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a high five

I feel drunk but I'm sober, I'm young and I'm underpaid
I'm tired but I'm working, yeah
I care but I'm restless, I'm here but I'm really gone
I'm wrong and I'm sorry baby

And what it all comes down to
Is that everything's gonna to be quite alright
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is flicking a cigarette

And what it all comes down to
Is that I haven't got it all figured out just yet
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is giving a peace sign

I'm free but I'm focused, I'm green but I'm wise
I'm hard but I'm friendly, baby
I'm sad but I'm laughing, I'm brave but I'm chicken shit
I'm sick but I'm pretty baby

And what it all boils down to
Is that no one's really got it figured out just yet
But I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is playing the piano

And what it all comes down to, my friends, yeah
Is that everything is just fine, fine, fine
'Cause I've got one hand in my pocket
And the other one is hailing a taxi cab