I think this exercise is a very good exercise but it requires some work. It is easy to become so relaxed that you just fall a sleep. That defeats the purpose I think, it was very hard for me because I am currently dealing with pneumonia and trying to quiet the coughing is extremely hard and makes it hard to tame your mind when all on your mind is Please Stop Coughing!!!
I expected to get more out of this exercise than the Loving Kindness Exercise, I think because I practice Loving Kindness on a daily bases and although the exercise was profitable and allowed me to see some things, I believe this one would be more beneficial to me, to get me to the place I want to go. Until I can learn to quiet my mind any and every where, I realize that I have to have the atmosphere for it. In a house with four girls ranging from 8 to 14 who love to talk and watch television with the volume up as loud as possible, does make it a little challenging. Trying the exercise again when nobody but me was available, I found myself very in tuned for minutes and then wondering am I really doing this right? Am I fooling myself into thinking this is working an am I doing the exercise properly. I am not sure but my challenge was with me this morning and I spent too much time dwelling on my thoughts. For a brief moment I do remember the thoughts rising, hovering and then dissolving, only for my mind to say, Am I doing this right? I am a bit frustrated however I do believe it is beneficial and I must say it will require some time and effort and I will continue after it.
I also found at times that I was wondering whether or not I was performing this exercise correctly... I think this is because I was having trouble with the exercise and staying focused on clearing my mind. I wrote this off to a chaotic mind and feel that this exercise will be beneficial to me in the future once some of the chaos around us subsides.
ReplyDeleteThere were times during this exercise where I found myself to be almost in a dreamlike state of mind with many thoughts and visions running through my head. To me, this was very unnerving and was not relaxing in any way shape or form. I will continue to attempt this exercise and hopefully with practice and time I will be able to train my mind in a way that I can clear up all thoughts and enjoy total relaxation.
Laura
Hello Dianne,
ReplyDeleteBoy, you said a mouth full. Not only do you have to deal with external distractions but dealing with involuntary mental movement like thoughts, feeling and visual imagery that was mentioned in our practice this week. When I heard the narrator speak on this, it blew me away. It made me realize how easily our minds wonder, even if you have a focus point. Keep it up Dianne, some day soon we both will be able to learn how to let mental movements go and grab the essence of being attentive with our thoughts with practice. Keep it up, I will.
Hello Dianne, I do pray that you recover quickly. Bronchitis and pneumonia definitely seem to be making their rounds. I can imaging the cough making the meditations pretty much impossible. I also fall asleep during them or so I think. I was doing these again today and I really was able to let go today during the subtle mind exercise. I thought that I kept falling asleep but I was easily brought back whenever I heard the woman's voice. I am wondering if there is a fine line distinction between being in an intense state of relaxation and actual sleep. Hmmm now I've just given myself something else to ponder..oh bother.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel well again soon
Cherie