Home→Forums→Tough Times→Meditation and Mourning?
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eaglestare.
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August 3, 2014 at 3:12 pm #62526
eaglestare
ParticipantShe is a 5-yr old Border Collie mix renamed Shasta (after Mt. Shasta in California). No, she is not a “meditation” type dog, not now anyway, because she’s got too much energy, somewhat ADHD! When I was practicing tai chi last night (finally!), all she did was sit up and watch me instead of falling asleep like Cirrus and Rook did. Maybe she’ll relax next time…She’s too busy being alert and watching and listening to what’s around her.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by
eaglestare.
August 3, 2014 at 7:56 pm #62554@Jasmine-3
ParticipantHey Patricia. Awesome name Shasta.
It might not such a bad thing if she has ADHD…at least she will keep you on your toes and bouncing around LOL.
Stay well and keep in touch.
Jasmine
August 3, 2014 at 10:04 pm #62557eaglestare
ParticipantThanks, Jasmine! Thank you for showing you care, and for being so upbeat and positive. Sometimes when I am mourning, I reread some of the comments I’ve gotten, and it really helps.
Patricia
August 4, 2014 at 5:45 pm #62624@Jasmine-3
ParticipantWe all mourn over something or other in this life when we face loss.
Always remember, nothing stays the same. We continue to flow. Sadness is impermanent, happiness in material things is impermanent, mourning is impermanent. After some time, you will feel well and life will go back to trading as usual with lots of happy memories. We are wired for adaptability. We have the genetic code to move on, which is so important for our sanity.
Best wishes for your forward journey with hubby and Shasta. My dogs send their sloppy kisses and cuddles for you all 🙂
Jasmine
August 4, 2014 at 11:04 pm #62651eaglestare
ParticipantThanks! I didn’t know you have dogs, Jasmine. What kind?
August 4, 2014 at 11:35 pm #62653@Jasmine-3
Participanthey patricia
I could relate to your post as my 2 poodles join us in meditation as well and more or less any social outing that we do as a family unit. Well to be honest, the younger one is not interested in meditation currently he he he. Dogs have brought so much love and contentment into our lives 🙂
December 28, 2015 at 10:52 pm #90833eaglestare
ParticipantHey, everyone! I didn’t realize it’s been so long that I posted here, and since my original post about mourning over our German sherpherd dog Rook and collie girl Cirrus. The dog we adopted last year, Shasta, has really transformed into a more stable dog (but still lots of energy and prey drive when the opportunity arises), which makes our walks more pleasant. More recently, I have made a point to stop her, make her sit and wait next to me, while I focus on the present moment and enjoy the sky, the clouds, the trees, the sparkle and waves in the lake, the sound of the wind, the birds, the splashing, etc. It is still “not the same”, but at least I am allowing myself to take a break and become still, and pay attention to what’s happening now.
…And you may not believe this, and I didn’t at first, but my husband got another German sherpherd puppy, Cedar. He and Shasta keep us busy because they are similar energy, and Cedar is still growing and learning. The two of them are so unlike Cirrus and Rook were in so many ways, but they are their own special pair, endlessly playing, and really getting along well, like best friends forever! Chasing, wrestling, running like thunder through the house. It’s fun and interesting watching how they interact and communicate using their instincts. It helps me get back into the moment when I am hit by a wave of mourning now and then.
There have been times when we have sensed Rook’s spiritual presence, some by the way Shasta has acted. There was nothing that could explain what happened or why she was acting a certain way, and so I infer that she sensed an energy that we could not. Each time, I calmed myself down and welcomed the moment, not being afraid. I told my husband, maybe it’s Rook, and instead of saying it’s ridiculous or getting scared, he said, “Good, Rook, good.” It could even be Cirrus’ spiritual essence, but definitely something unusual and special. Someday we will all be together.
January 26, 2020 at 11:57 pm #335246eaglestare
ParticipantHello Jasmine-3, Matt, Inky, and BenzRabbit, and everyone else who supported me way back in May 2014 when our German sherpherd dog Rook passed away. For some reason, I wanted to find and reread your replies and our conversations about my difficulty with meditation and mourning, and miraculously found it by doing a google search. I am thankful for Tiny Buddha for keeping such old posts.
So, after rereading your replies to help me, I am in awe at your compassion to help others, including me. I am grateful for your support during that difficult time. If any of you are still here on the forum and see this, it would be great to hear from you and say hi!
So much has happened since then (ups and downs), but currently getting better at practicing stillness and letting thoughts go when they are not needed without being mad at myself. I’ve learned a lot about this from my tai chi instructor and Taoism, from books and videos of Thich Nhat Hanh and the Plum Village practice, and Eckhart Tolle. We still have Shasta, and another shepherd named Brush.
So, thank you Jasmine-3, Matt, Inky, and BenzRabbit, again. Please reply and let me know how you are. Anyone else interested may also reply.
Patricia
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This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by
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