I really enjoy the meditation exercises although it is hard to explain to my family how laying on the couch with my eyes closed was actually homework. This weeks Subtle Mind exercise was a lot more difficult for me then the Loving Kindness exercise. I found that instead of a witnessing mind that I tend to have a wandering mind. It is going to take a lot more practice before I get this exercise down. I do better with constant instruction during the exercise. This one had a lot of time with out narration and I kept thinking random thought and kept starting to compose my blog in my head. Geez, who ever thought trying not to think would be so hard!
I am really learning a lot in this class. I had always focused on my biological wellness and I am super fit and eat a really healthy diet. I now see how biological, mental and spiritual wellness are connected. They all have to be in balance or you will not get to the higher level of human flourishing. Before this class I thought I was at the top level of fitness. Now, I see I am just a beginner and have several areas to cover. I guess it is good to always be growing as a person. This class has helped me do just that.
Hi Merrell, I really enjoyed reading your post. I was fascinated by both the Loving-Kindness and the Subtle Mind exercise because they are connected and you can't reap the rewards of one without the other. I think we all experience the "wandering mind" but the good news is, we can reel it back in and began again. Isn't it wonderful? With these learned techniques and experiences of others, we are learning to understand the true meaning of genuine wholeness. Have a Blessed day Merrell.
ReplyDeleteAnita
Merrell, I always had a hard time shutting off my brain during these sorts of exercises, it's a matter of focus. I learned to just listen to my breathing and my own heartbeat and that seemed to help.
ReplyDeleteI always do these at night too when I have a hard time sleeping it just relaxes me so much. I find that if I only concentrate on telling each muscle to relax I eventually fall asleep without even knowing it...=D
Maur
Hi Merrell,
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that is so hard not to think, you would think we would want to be quiet for a bit, just to process the first thought that just happened 1 second ago but instead our minds are like a roller coaster twisting and turning going one direction then the next with thoughts running rampant. Sights, sounds, spoken words, etc etc make our minds change directions jumping from one subject to the next with such ease that it is scary. What is really scary is that friend or sister that you talk with can jump with you in as many subjects that cross the thought processes but yet you can carry a conversation about all topics and follow each other. My husband cannot keep up but what I am finding, he may be much healthier for it...
Sandi
Hi Merrell!!
DeleteI also had an easier time with the loving-kindness exercise. I think we're on a similar page where a "wandering" mind falls into the mix! :-)
For you, since you perform better with constant instruction, perhaps after enough practice, you'll learn to cope with the silent parts of the exercise and really enjoy the peace and stillness around you.
Good luck!!
~Jen