The exercise was both rewarding and frustrating. The sounds of the ocean made me think of my daughter, who lives two states away. I miss her all the time and the sound of the waves bought me back to the back where she and I often walked on together. It was nice to take that mind trip with her and wrap my love around her.
The frustrating part was that once I entered into a new stage, the narrator would have me redirect my focus, I never seemed to be able to concentrate for long as I was always wondering when I would be interrupted again.
Like any activity the more one does it the better he/she becomes. Mental workout is something that takes effect. Allowing an hour each day, as the book describes, can help develop strength in the activity, set the routine pattern, and allows your mind and body to adept to the mediation hour and get deeper into yourself.
Barbara Lorenzen
Hi again,
ReplyDeleteDo you have much experience with controlling your thoughts? When I read this post I thought of how the mind is exactly like that...it wants to hold your attention away from being still and its easy to get engulfed in the story it wants you to listen too (remembering the good times with your daughter) it really seems like your mind has found it's niche and works it well. Do you think so?
The first thing I thought as I read your post was "I wonder why her mind doesn't want her to be still and calm?"
My best advice focus on the focal point you have chosen and concentrate on it for dear life until you can gain more control over your thoughts. Even if that is as far as you ever get for a week that is progress! I posted a comment to Michael in unit 4's blog board on a recent experience of my mind trying to run amuck on me...
I look forward to your postings! Liz Hobby
Liz,
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail with your comment. I think this was why I did not like the exercise, because I could not keep my focus. I need to do it again when I am calm and not in such a hurry like I was the first time.
Barbara.
I had the same experience, I was frustrated that I could not control my thoughts. I too was thinking when is she coming back on, the pauses seemed very long to me. I agree that the longer someone does this the better it will become. The worst part is the training or mental workout to get there. As with any type of exerise it is hard to get started and keep going until you see results.
ReplyDeleteJodi Geer