.JPG)
The two most beneficial practices that I have taken away from the course thus far are subtle mind (focusing on my breath) and visualization (picturing the situation in my mind before the event takes place). Visualization is something that I have been doing ever since high school that my cross country coach would have us do before our races. From that learning experience and understanding how well it works I have continued to visualize my races before hand. But I have learned from this course that I can use visualization in other areas of my life as well. I can think ahead of time of what my reaction to certain situations may result in. For example if I plan on taking my dog for his daily walk - I already know that he is going to be pulling very strongly on the leash (he's a siberian husky)- so I can visualize in my head on how my reaction should take place...If I get mad and yank the leash back every time he pulls- then what was the use of going on the walk (not fun for either one of us) BUT if I plan to stop and wait till he gives leave in his leash everytime he pulls hard and except that he's going too- then I we both will enjoy the walk. The subtle mind practice has been the biggest benefit to me. My mind use to drive me INSANE. Like I couldn't shut it off. Even if I was just sitting quietly somewhere vacant my mind would be going a million miles a minute. Now I take time daily to just sit. At first I have to still focus on my breathing, picturing the breath in my mind. Then after awhile my mind settles into complete "smoothness". I might start to get thoughts to go into my head, but I just return to by breath and I will soon be at a subtle mind. No cares, no worries, no expectations...It's great! This activity tends to give me a little more energy and a lot more smiles:)
Aly,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have got control of your mental chatter. That is hard to do. I have also improved on this, but it is still a constant work in progress. I too ran cross country in high school and now that you mention it I beleive we also used visualization. I didn't even think of that. After highschool and college I think that we get so wrapped up in our lives we forget to continue on with those practices. Glad to hear you have improved your integral health!!
Aly,
ReplyDeleteI like the Subtle mind practice. I have never heard of this practice until this course and it couldn't have come at a better time. I have always had issues falling asleep because I kept thinking about the events from the day or week and I couldn't stop my mind from asking, "did I do that right?", "should I have said that?", "did I say that?". Like you, I just couldn't stop the chatter. Now, before I go to bed, I focus on my breathing until my mind goes black and there is nothing there. Sometimes I fall asleep that way, other times, I come out of meditation with a calm and relieved feeling and that helps me fall asleep faster. This practice is definitely a favorite and I plan on continuing this practice for as long as I need it.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT JOB ON THIS. I LIKE THE VISUILATION TO BUT, MY FAV WAS THE MEDITATION. THIS I DID AWEEK AGO WHEN I WAS SICK AND THEY ALSO GIVE ME MEDS THAT A HAD A BAD REACTION TO AS WELL. I NEEDED TO GET MY MIND OFF OF MY SICKNESS AND INTO A HAPPIER SPOT.
ReplyDeleteHi Aly, Great post I very much like the idea of visualizing your reaction before hand and making a decision to react differently.Its awesome to think ahead and plan ahead.its great what this class has taught us, how to look within for the answers.
ReplyDeleteHi Aly, sounds like you are doing great with all of this stuff. I found the subtle mind to be one of the ones I enjoyed as well, but still only get brief glimpses of that smoothness. You're inspiration to keep trying though.
ReplyDeleteHi Aly,
ReplyDeleteSo true, if we know what is going to happen, we can "plan" our correct response while knowing that how we would normally respond creating a lose-lose situation. I love the approach with your dog. We know their responses and yet as "intelligent humans" few of us are rational enough to outsmart them.
I think it is the same as when I would ride this gorgeous horse my friend owns and we'd come to creeks. I would set my mind over the creek and my body would react...balance a bit forward, legs firmly around him, keeping him going straight...he would jump the creeks....so fun....the guy who owned him would try and the horse would balk everytime. I told him...."put your intention over the creek" It never worked for him...it always worked for me. Dang, I miss that horse!!!
Great post Aly!!!
Hey Aly,
ReplyDeleteGood for you, it sounds like you have really put some effort into your meditation practices. That is awesome. I am trying to do the same. I still have moments when i feel like my witnessing mind fails me!!! But, I am having less and less of them. So, I need to just think positive. If you don't mind me asking, when you start to have thoughts entering your mind, you say that you focus on your breath, so do you visualize anything at this time? Do you visualize breath or nothing at all, or is it possible to visualize nothing? Thanks, Jenny
Definetly the Breath Jenny...or actually perhaps the air in which we call breath :)
ReplyDelete