I had to go about this weeks preparations a little differently because after I got about 4 minutes into the exercise my CD was just a bunch of static. Luckily the book also walks you through the exercise so I think I got the just of the exercise, but probably not as well as if I would have just by being able to listen along. To me it seems like the subtle mind exercise should be mastered before moving on to the loving kindness exercise. While the loving kindness exercise incorporates a lot of techniques with other people, the subtle mind exercise focuses more about training our minds and focusing on ourselves. The main part of this exercise is focusing on our breathing and trying to not let outside activity distract from concentration. It suggests acknowledging the outside activity and then letting it go. I found this exercise equally as difficult as the loving kindness exercise because I could not let go of the outside distractions. I found myself getting annoyed that the kids would not be quiet or wondering what my dogs were doing outdoors. I attempted to regain focus on my breathing, but it seemed every time a different thought would pop into my head. When the practice started, and Dacher mentioned how this exercise would teach us to react less to situations and have greater patience I was very excited. I am still very excited about achieving these outcomes so I will continue to practice this exercise. Hopefully figuring out what is wrong with my CD in the mean time so that I can focus more of my attention towards breathing then reading. When choosing whether to focus on this exercise or the loving kindness exercise I believe this will be my top priority for now. Once I can learn to be a more patient individual, I should be able to grasp the idea of breathing in others pain and suffering.
Developing a strong inner health can become our greatest healer (Dacher, 2006). Sound spiritual health allows us to dismiss aspects of our life that may cause problems with both our mental and physical well being. Because the thoughts that we process in our mind are distributed throughout our body, having positive thoughts, and patience will spread throughout the rest of our lives. We can remedy physical symptoms with a sound spiritual health and have better relationships with the people around us. If we allow negative thoughts to take over, we will be causing harm to our bodies and social life. I personally believe that my social relationships would be much better off if I could learn to incorporate the loving kindness and subtle mind exercises into my daily life. I am in great need of having less of a reaction to situations. My husband would be delighted if I stuck with these exercises and made these changes in my life.
Dawn, my CD did the same thing but I took the book as guide through the meditation. I think the point of this exercise was to find the calm abiding- the stillness where time stops and your being is not physically experienced but spiritually. The next step would be then to unite with the spirit of the universe. All this is very abstract when I try to talk or write about it, but it seems so clear when I just feel it. Not that I have reached the clam abiding or unity yet, but I had a glimpse of how it feels like when the stillness surrounds me. Awesome!! and afterwards I was so much more tranquil and happy. or no reason other than just have felt stillness....weird, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteDawn,
ReplyDeleteDitto here. The audio is also in Doc sharing. By the way, I love your post. You always put so much of yourself into it. The audio was relaxing when the narator shut up. It sounded alot like the beach I was at today. I was really stressed today even on the way to the beach fighting with daughter. Once I got there, I layed down on folding chair. The sound of the waves was so relaxing, all the stress went away and I actually fell asleep. It was great.
I believe that breathing is a key factor for allowing our mind and body to relax. Each time that I feel so overwhelmed if I just take a few moments to take deep breathes and release I feel my body and mind find peace. It may only be for a few moments but long enough to become sane again. I think that the audio makes these exercises more difficult due to the voices. With this practice I read the book and then completed the exercise and I found it to be easier for me to let my thoughts and feelings disappear and rely on my consciouness, It was a total different experience for me.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I became easily distracted and I think everyone would say the same thing. That is why this exercise is important. Our thoughts are always wandering, which takes away from experiencing a witnessing mind. I would love to use this exercise regularly to develop a witnessing mind and to develop patience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this weeks exercise!
I think one of the best parts about the audio was that it clearly stated that we would have trouble becoming still at first. I also like that it reminds us of the purpose of the exercise.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think that I will just use some other ocean waves music that I happen to have, once I feel have "gotten the hang of" this exercise.
Yeah my CD didn't work either. Hmm. Bad batch I guess. It is definitely a challenge to master these exercises, I have been trying. I look forward to reading your future posts to see if you've stuck with it, like you mentioned.
ReplyDelete