“Beauty above me
Beauty below me
Beauty around me
May I walk in Beauty”.
Navajo Prayer
For me the Subtle Mind where one moves from grasping and clinging to old patterns to witnessing feelings, thoughts and sensations has been the most effective exercise. I did not recognize how often my body fills up with stress related tension or how often I hold my breath during the day. By using the focal point of feeling the air go into my nostrils, I find my mind beginning to quiet down. Turning the loving kindness inward allows me to forgive myself for not doing “everything” needed in one day. I find more opportunity to send prayer and spiritual support to others by letting go of my self-criticisms.
Because of the nature of my life situation I began to do Dacher’s subtle mind taped exercise with my eyes open to train my body to relax even when positive visual stimulation is present. The other practice I work with throughout the day is to approach all people and tasks with the intent of completing interactions and tasks with loving kindness. Intention “to be” in a more spiritual manner has reduced my detours into negative thoughts. Spiritual intention makes it easier for me to manage glucose level changes and grumpiness when I do not sleep enough hours per day. Processing inner stimuli more efficiently gives me the ability to choose where to direct my mental and physical energy. : )
I respect people who can meditate with their eyes open. This is a great skill. I can only do this when I am completely alone and will have not interruptions, but it is not easy. I agree that the Subtle Mind is a wonderful exercise.
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI like the simple focal point related to the breathing, I think it is cool how the breathing has a direct relationship with the mind. When my breathing becomes more easy and rhythmic my mind seems to follow it. I have a horrible habit of chinching my teeth, I need Dacher's subtle mind tape to train my body to relax so I can save my teeth. When I breath properly I can tame and stabilize my mind to a degree developing a witnessing consciousness but it is taking me alot of practice.
I agree when you just calm down and concentrate on your breathing it is a great help espically for me because I get anxiety bad some times.And the more you pratice the more natural it feels to you.
ReplyDeleteHello Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI do try to use the Subtle mind as well, to learn how to control my breath and use it as a focal point to bring my attention in and concentrate on my breathing. It is a good way to force my mind to settle into the ease of my mind and body and not other distracting thoughts. It helps to tame the busy mind for sure. To observe how the mind works, and to bring it back in to calmness quieting down the mental activity. The Witnessing of thoughts instead of grasping is the difference in this meditation and not meditating at all.