This weeks exercise of the subtle mind practice was a little hard at first, in contrast to the loving kindness exercise. The loving kindness exercise used visualization and thoughts to project love and healing to others. This I can do easily, and I try and do it often. The subtle mind practice... Trying to get feelings, thoughts and pictures in my mind to stop, this is a bit more difficult. My mind is always going 100 miles per hour. I did however, get my mind to calm down quite a bit. It was very nice to be still. I now find myself doing this throughout the day. I focus on my breath and let things just blow by. I find that when I do not cling to things, they tend not to stay long or they lose impact. Especially with the negative garbage that I do not like. I noticed after doing this practice for just the past few days, I feel calmer.
I think that this exercise is making me very aware of just how awesome it can be to have a flow of health between mind, body and spirit. I feel more calm and way less stress. I notice I am observing more and reacting less. I have been really putting a lot of effort into this class and over the past 5 weeks, I feel like I am maturing in a way that I did not know about. It feels nice. At the same time, I asked myself yesterday "What the heck is wrong with me!!". As I am opening up parts of my mind and trying to become a better and healthier me, I am finding "garbage" all over the place. Things that we do, then sweep under the rug so we don't think about them again. I have a lot of healing to do. In the meantime, I will continue my journey with all of you and hope that I can continue to grow. I am not afraid of cleaning up this mess. I am excited to do it now.
Blessed be!
Angela,
ReplyDeleteHow inspiring your blog was. It was really a motivational moment for me as I was reading. I think it is wonderful how you are noticing such great things occurring for you. I had a long day today, very enjoyable, but long, and was surprised that I had the energy to logon and check out blogs. I am glad I did, and I now know there was a reason for it. I feel a bit more rejuvenated and am looking forward to my next opportunity to do this exercise.
Julie C.
Angela, I am very proud of you for being this brave. I am always aware of all the garbage that I am sweeping under the rug. At the moment, sweeping them under the rug helps me focus on my family and work. One day in the far future and I will try clean under the rug. I am proud of you trying to do the sweeping now. These exercises helps to deal with some minor issues. I will need an actual mentor physically present to do the sweeping. I do not think I am that strong yet.
ReplyDeleteCaroline mckinstry
Wow, good for you for facing it head on and not being afraid to do the work necessary to be who and where you want to be. I was always the queen of avoidance, it is quite 'ostrich esque', if I do not see it or ignore it then obviously it isn't really there :) I think I have practiced avoidance for so long that some of these exercises dredge up a lot of junk for me and I turn angry. I have a rough time not letting go and then I get even more upset and angry with myself for not doing what I expect of myself.
ReplyDeleteIt is very inspiring to see someone take control and responsibility for their life and their journey; It is quite refreshing actually.
Good Luck and Best Wishes on this journey, it is a pleasure to "travel" and traverse and share this process with you.
Much respect,
Christine M. Dixon
Good afternoon,
ReplyDeleteThis exercise has also had a positive impact on my life. The subtle mind exercise was easier for me to engage in than the loving-kindness because I used my breathing as my focal point when my mind began to wonder.
Hey Angela:
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Sometimes when I'm trying to fall asleep, my mind is racing through about 1000 thoughts per second. I try to calm my thoughts and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. In the past I used music to get me relaxed and fall asleep. The Subtle Mind exercise is very effective for doing that. For me it will probably take a few more practices before I can get the technique down, but I think from now on instead of fighting to fall asleep, I'll try this exercies.
I can definitely agree with you. I have been reacting less and observing more in life and my surroundings. I feel like I have matured spiritually. I am getting better about preventing my thoughts from racing. I feel like my thoughts are much clearer and I am able to explain my thoughts and feelings much more clearer when talking to my husband.
ReplyDeleteKindly,
Sara G.
I am excited for your new journey. I bet it feels nice to start cleaning out the closet so to speak. I wish you the best of luck on your new found journey of mental clarity. Having inner peace and mental clarity will be a great thing.
ReplyDeleteStuart Baxter