Welcome to week 5
Boo-Yah, Baby! I did a meditation without falling asleep! This is a first for me!
Last week's meditation on loving-kindness didn't go so well as wasn't able to focus for any length of time. I've tried it again a few times; each time in shorter sessions. I'm at 5 minutes right now and that seems to be limit. So for now it's about the quality of the meditation, not the quantity.
The Subtle Mind exercise in comparison was significantly easier. I was able to concentrate on , my breathing and not feel harried or agitated. My mind wandered a lot during the exercise as well, but I was able to bring it back again and focus once more on the breath. I found it helped me to count in sets of 5 with each inhalation and each exhalation. My mind wandered less, maybe because I was focused on the counting.
Overall, I found the subtle mind exercise much easier and more fulfilling. I'm going to keep practicing the loving kindness meditation however. I've obviously got some issue or other that is keeping me from success with that one.
It seems to me that the more cultivated one's mind can be, the easier it becomes to handle the physical world. With this cultivation also comes an ease of mind that encourages great inner peace or spirituality. All three concepts work in tandem with each other and when one is out of balance it throws the other two off as well.
To manifest the necessary balance in my own life, I've had to take up Tai Chi. After an earlier exericse where we identified areas to work on, I realized that I had nothing in my life to further my spirit. I can't say yet that it has made a difference. I have to concentrate on the instructions which make concentrating on my thoughts difficult. However, the instructor says that in time the movements will become second nature and thoughts can then be turned inward for introspection. Until then, I'm taking pleasure in an activity that allows me to consciously focus on something besides the day to day hassles.
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Interesting, Briana:
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate to how difficult it is quiet the mind and focus on meditation. Who knew it was so hard to just relax? How long have you practiced Tai-Chi? I have heard many people say that it is a great calming and centering practice.
I too am at the five-minute limit with the loving-kindness practice. With diligence, consistency, and time, we will both learn how to extend the practice —soon the time period spent may become irrelevant because the quality of the practice is so profound.
I hope all is well and I look forward to reading about your continued progress.
Regards,
Natasha
I really enjoyed the subtle mind exercise much better also. I liked the breathing to focus and the visualization of the anchor. I was able to bring my focus back easier too. I did not take a short nap with this one and felt less frustration. With loving kindness I felt I should have felt something and with this one it kind of just happened.
ReplyDeleteHow often are you doing Tai Chi? I have taken a class before and enjoyed it and also when there are groups in the park and join in is fun too. I think the instructors really make a difference too as far as the movements and your mental focus. Just enjoy and have fun that is my thoughts. I enjoy your posts as always. Mona
Sounds like you had a great experience with this exercise. Any of these exercises do take practice, so I applaud you for focusing on quality instead of quantity. Before you know it you will be up to 30 minutes! I find these exercises are very relaxing and more specifically a real mental workout. I guess it's good that our mind wonders because that presents an opportunity for us to train our minds to re-focus on more important things. Just like running, we slowly add mileage to increase our endurance...we are applying this same concept to our practices. I appreciate your post because I forgot about how great tai chi is. I have done it a couple of times a long time ago I remember that is really helped me focus and relieve stress. I will have to find out if there is outdoor tai chi in my area.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for making it to the 5 minute mark. I am lucky to stay engaged 2-3 minutes before I am already thinking of how I need to get this or that done. I think I am just too overwhelmed with all that is going on in my life to really be able to appreciate these exercises. Try as I might I can't seem to get into them. So kudos to you.
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