I began with setting the scene for my mental fitness practice. As I sat down comfortably and put in the CD, I listened to the woman’s voice and the waves and music that played in the background. I was just getting relaxed then all of a sudden I was RUDELY interrupted by static!!! Grrrr the first 2 tracks were fine so I thought YAY, I am one of the lucky ones to receive a decent working CD, NOT! Therefore, I had to go back out into class, grab the audio from there, and start over setting the tone again….
Mental fitness take two: Maintaining a relaxed yet alert witnessing awareness is going to take some effort. I was pulled to my thoughts; it was like a flash just as you see when you rewind or fast-forward a movie, just flipping through the images in my mind. I had much trouble with this exercise in witnessing the mind. I felt myself grasping and clinging with little to no stillness. I understand that I will have sessions when I can achieve this & others I will not but I think that will take a few sessions going by today. This really takes a lot of effort and concentration!
As for comparing and contrasting this exercise to the Loving Kindness exercise they both did set the elemental stage for relaxation as I mentioned above but the Loving Kindness I could spread my feelings out further and beyond onto others. The subtle mind was dealing with me, with my mind. My mind would not SHUT UP! I find my mind doing this at night when lying in bed to fall asleep sometimes. I focused on my breathing, in and out, in and out, and then moved onto the waves that seemed to sing in melody with my breathing. Then I would try to focus on the task at hand, witnessing instead of grasping and clinging. I failed… so frustrating!
The connection in spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness most definitely starts with the mind. One needs to be at the right mindset or frame of mind to work on their physical wellness. Yoga takes both the body & the mind. You work slowly into each move using your mind to breathe and concentrate on the right move and your muscles to contract and build strength for each next move. Yoga is just one example. Dealing with stress inside the home and out is just like that as well… take it slowly into your next move, your walk through life. The body or physical wellness is and has been shown to be affected if the mind is not at ease. These things are connected and can manifest it anyone of our lives. Take a deep breath and move slowly to your next move. Witness the stillness.
5 comments:
Hi Pam,
As I read your blog, I was drawn into your serene description of the music, waves and soothing voice and then to be jolted to a screaming halt by the scratchy CD! You made me laugh! I also was in a calm state and then my family burst into the house and all was lost! But I felt like this exercise was a little too long for me......I am sure I need the full 22 minutes but I did find myself checking the clock. That is not a good sign. I completely agree with you on comparing the Loving-kindness exercise with the Subtle Mind one. I think it is easier to think about someone else then to try to focus on my every move....I think this class is just what we need! Thanks again for sharing!
Chrisanne Moran
Chrisanne, I am sorry your so rudely interrupted as well! haha I was bumped in hoping that I did not receive one of the bad CD's but I did... How is your CD? Did you get a good one? Either way we are surrounded with my distractions aren't we? I did feel as though it was a bit long as well. So you are not alone and I agree with you, this class is just what we need! Thanks for reading my blog!
Hope you have a good weekend as well!
Pam,
It seems to be the general consensus that the mind is a wild untamed beast. The exercises are preparation so that we can begin to still our minds. Then we gain greater access to total health and wellness, which a quality lifestyle. I don't know about you, but I really see the importance of doing the exercises. I am going to have to create a schedule in order to get into the habit of doing this kind of work.
Pam stay with it. I don't think anyone's mind could be as loud as mine has lol! At night I have to distract my mind with the sound of the tv to go to sleep. I did this exercise and for the first time in many years I heard the quiet and drifted into a inner peace. It did not last a vey long time but it made me aware that it is real and it can happen. Don't give up yet. We will get there.
Hi, As you take the time your practice will become easier. Yoga is a great way to do participate in moving meditation. I find it very relaxing since I focus on the breath during more challenging moves. I been doing yoga for so long that my moves flow freely from one pose into another. As time goes on you will be able to witness the mind and find stillness. Every time you begin to grasp onto a thought just take a deep belly breath in and blow the thought away.