Dear Anita,

Thank you again for your reply.

Hmmm. The props seem a bit pedantic, and perhaps even distracting, but then what the heck do I know? Maybe that is what is necessary.

One of the aspects of Tai Chi and Yoga that I am hoping to capitalize upon is mindfulness.

Many years ago, I practiced meditation based only on a few instructions given to me by an acquaintance of mine: instructions pertaining to a combination of tensing the body followed by a focus on relaxing it, all while deep-breathing from the diaphragm, as a preparation to meditating, as well as clearing my mind and stopping my eye movement during meditation.

During this period of my life, I was also very intent on moving myself out of the center of my experience, and becoming more empathetic.

After a period of time (I don’t recall how long), I don’t know if it was – what seemed to me to be – the deep levels of meditation I achieved, or the effort I put into becoming more empathetic, I eventually found myself experiencing everything, even myself, as if I were an observer as well as a participant. It was such a wonderful way of experiencing existence! Everything seemed to be just the way it should be, no more and no less, and I was participating in things as positively as possible, no more and no less. (I could dilate so much more on this, but I’ll let that suffice.) Although I didn’t know it at the time, I suspect that I had (at the very least) achieved some small state of mindfulness, and it was one of the happiest times in my life.

I have recently tried to recall and practice that process of meditation, but I still have a long way to go. I have read a few books on mindfulness, but I have a hard time implementing their suggested practices. Nonetheless, I suspect that there are several paths to mindfulness, and I do not intend to give up.

Based on your experience, which would you suggest is the shorter path to mindfulness: Tai Chi or Yoga? From your earlier reply, I suspect that you might suggest Tai Chi.

Of course, all insights are welcomed from all others who have experience with these things.

Thanks again,

CMI

• This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by Call Me Ishmael.