New Mat!

Today I had a very normal schedule. I woke up, ate dim sum with Grandma, and meditated. I started meditating 65 minutes yesterday. It’s nice to be at the point where meditation is no longer a struggle and I can slowly increase the time.

My mom and I went shopping for a yoga mat afterward. I bought a “black sapphire” (actually it’s just blue) Manduka. I didn’t care for the price increase, but I foresee using this for the rest of my life, so I figure it’d be good to have a unique colored mat to easily spot it among a sea of black mats.

After buying the mat and carrying strap, my mom chided me that I shouldn’t have bought the strap there, it was so expensive. But since I wanted it so much, she bought it anyway. That triggered me, because I didn’t believe (or want to believe) that I insisted on buying the strap. I recalled her giving initial resistance to buying the strap, but then seeming to change her mind. I never pushed for it.

Yes, maybe I did want the strap. Maybe it was expensive. That’s probably why I was so angry when she chided me afterward. It’s like, what can I do now? Why bring it up now, rather than in the store? My anger welled up and I shot back, “I didn’t say I really wanted it.”

How quickly my anger took over! I felt like I was physically thrown into a hot tub. Yet as soon as I said it, I sensed the physical manifestation of the anger and paused until it subsided. Then I went on my merry way, unaffected by my mom’s remaining chides until we had a merry conversation again.

After shopping, my mom decided to celebrate by going to McDonald’s and eating a $20HKD Big Mac meal. I was glad to hang out with her, but I hadn’t eaten anything for six hours and was getting a little hungry.

That’s ok, though. Dealing with my hunger was a good exercise in equanimity.

Of course, I played with my new toy as soon as I got home. The Manduka provided the cushioning I needed for Garbha Pindasana, where I roll a few times on my spine. It felt slippery compared to the ones I use at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, where I usually practice, but that just means I haven’t broken them in. Afterward I scrubbed it down with a towel in an effort to break it in faster.

I made a green smoothie. It was filling.

I feel physically tired but mentally alert. Today’s the first day, aside from when Dave was visiting, where I didn’t take an afternoon nap. Last night I slept 8 hours: I slept at 2 and set the alarm for 10. I’m trying to sleep by midnight so I can increase it to 10 hours if necessary, or I’ll just wake up earlier.

Somehow it feels like I didn’t do much today, but I meditated in the morning, practiced yoga, and spent time with my grandmother. That’s at least three things I consistently get done every day. And my nightly meditation and reflection. So that’s five things. Everything else I do on top of that is extra, I guess.

In an effort to improve my reaction time when getting triggered, I’m going to meditate. Good night!