Unchanging

This morning in meditation, I thought briefly about the unchanging. Although there are many different styles and methods of meditation, the meditator often aims at some form of stillness--not necessarily in the emotional sense of placidity or calm, but in the sense of unwavering presence. This may take the form of visual concentration (e.g. staring at a candle flame), or mental concentration (e.g. counting breaths), or holding one's attention taut yet open (as in Zen's "just sitting"). As I bring myself to the mat or chair every morning, I marvel at how difficult it is to be unchanging, still, and immovable, even for fifteen minutes. But this difficulty is a clear sign that the training I am undergoing is valuable.