Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation

Modern Religious Experience: Reflection #4: Buddhist Meditation: "Spend 20 mintues in a silent meditation; a place you won't be disturbed, your own "fig tree" as was Buddha's inspiration. In those 20 mintues, notice to where your mind wanders. Can you attain "right thoughts", "right mindfulness" and "right concentration".
Write a one paragraph reflection about this time. Could you empty your mind to seek life's truths? What did you have trouble controlling in your mind? Finally, what inspriation did you receive? Any? If not, why not?"

Before I sat down to close my eyes and meditate, I never knew I would be able to get through 20 minutes of doing nothing but staring into my eyelids and concentrating on breathing. Then I got started, and after a few minutes, my mind started to ease, my whole body relaxed, and everything was smooth. I started to think about the Eightfold Path we've been learning about, and tried to tell myself to have "right thoughts, mindfulness, concentration, actions, etc." Then my mind went on a stroll, thinking about how hard school would be from monday to winter vacation. I took control again and thought of ways my life was good, and thought of ways I can help anyone else. Simple things like saying "hi" or helping out if they dropped something crossed my mind, and a little more meaningful things also crossed my mind. Although I couldn't receive a big epiphany that could change my life, this experience of meditating for 20 minutes was definitely very relaxing. The moment I opened my eyes, I took a deep breath, and all the stress had gone out, all (at least most) of the physical pains and worries I had disappeared also. After this experience, I could definitely do this more, each time controlling my mind a little more than the previous time so I can get a good concentration and good discipline.