The Subtle Mind
When I first started out I could not concentrate to save my life, I have to give it a lot of effort,
but when I did I could see my mind as if it were a floating gray cloud with small flashes of light come from it on all different sides of this gray cloud. But as soon as the narrator would talk my mind would shift rapidly, and I suddenly would feel anger and irritated. As I would concentrate more on my breathing, I could imagine a small ship on the ocean, and I could see the waves gently moving it along. But there again when the narrator would talk, my mind would take me to things that have happen to me throughout the week, but when I would concentrate on my breathing, for the last time I could see waves crashing against a huge rock, and suddenly I could feel a calming effect take over my whole body, as if I had taking a drug to relax me. I suddenly felt my
irritation go away, and was able to keep my mind aware of what was going on.
I really enjoyed this practice; I really enjoyed how it made me relax so much better than the last
practice "loving Kindness". I really do need a tool that can help me to focus better, and keep my mind into perspective. Maybe this way I would not be such a procrastinator and would be able to finish my tasks faster and easier. Great exercise!!
Cristine
Cristine-
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the ladies voice was not so helpful for you. I wonder if you would do better at relaxing your mind if you didn’t have that lady in the back of your mind talking. I did not have the success that you had with this exercise, but it sounds like with a few adjustments it may really be able to benefit you. Who would have guessed that something that seems as minor as clearing our minds can be so darn difficult!
Audra
Hi Cristine!
DeleteI'm really glad you were able to eventually get into the subtle mind exercise and feel that relaxed state of mind. I had a hard time also getting into this activity because of the voices. I think it's better to practice this exercise on your own, obviously once you've remembered the steps! :-)
I also feel like we were opposites with these exercises, I did great with the loving-kindness and not so much with the subtle mind. At least we know which ones we need to work harder at.
Good luck!! ~ Jen