Through out this term I have struggled with some of the exercises we have tried. Being able to concentrate i the task at hand for an extended period of time proved challenging for me. Recently though we have completed some exercises that I have found to be extremely beneficial. The visualization exercises I really enjoyed because it made me focus on very happy times in my life and the experience truly did uplift my spirit for the rest of the day. Doing other visualization exercise allows me to be creative in my thinking process so I do not get bored and I can remain focused on the exercise. My favorite exercise that I've tried was not actually from our book but one that we discussed in seminar this week. The walking meditation was very intriguing to me since it combined motion with meditation. I live out in the country so there are lots of fields around so I picked one and made laps around focusing just on my steps and it really helped to clear my mind. I probably looked crazy walking around in circles but I'm pretty sure nobody was around :)
I think that I am most likely to continue on with some kind of meditative practice in the future. If I can set aside a few minutes in the morning or do some walking meditation after work each day I feel that it would be beneficial to promote and maintain my mental health.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt's great that you found a meditation that suits you. I imagined your countryside walks and it seems so serene! I think setting aside time to work on yourself is a great method of self-development.
Nice job!
Britt
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI am also a fan of the walking meditation. I think the problem with the other exercises was that I can't sit still in a quiet place. For me, if it's quiet and I can actually sit down, it means "quick take a nap before the kids wake up!" lol.
It sounds like you have the perfect setting to enjoy your walking meditations. I hope you continue to practice and enjoy that special time you have created just for you.
~Lindsay S
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI also found the walking meditation to be very beneficial. I walked in a beautiful forest in Oregon with my Aunt a few years ago, and the lush trees and flowers surrounded me...light filtered in just enough to make everything beautiful, and there was no noise but a few birds...I connected to nature so much that day, and I plan on doing it again. If I cannot go on a nature hike, just walking around my neighborhood in the evening can help me just get my mind off of life's stresses. It is great that you tried this after the seminar, and it worked for you!
Selena
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI particularly liked that you weren't afraid to say that you weren't successful at each exercise we had presented this term. I found some hard also. I think for a lot of people it's hard to focus on one thing at a time. I am glad that regardless some of the other practices didn't work for you, you found some that did. :)
Tara