For starters I have been struggling through these
exercises, so far each one more difficult and challenging than the last. Something
really major for me to easily get into a meditative state is the voice of the
narrator, the background sounds and the focus on breathing. If the I do not
find the voice of the narrator soothing I find it more difficult to focus, if
the background noises are too upbeat or too distracting I also find it hard to
focus on the task at hand, and if there is no focus on breathing I tend to lose
connection and fail to be able to relax. This exercise started off with a man’s
voice, which I did not particularly connect with, but soon the real exercise
started and a woman’s voice narrated. I found her voice more soothing than his
and just like I prefer, she brought focus to breath and gave me time to really
focus on slowing down my breathing and consciously focusing on each breath. I
find this deeply relaxing and it calms my mind. I often find my mind wanders
during most of these exercises, but the ones that acknowledge that that happens
and just remind me to bring it back to focus really cater to me. I loved the
ocean sounds and the soft flute like notes gently accompanying it at times.
This was probably my favorite exercise so far. Last week I commented that the
pauses were too long, but this week I enjoyed the longer pauses and just let
everything quite and slow.
I agree that these exercises have been very complicated, especially when it comes to relaxing. The background noise makes it hard to focus and it was a distraction. This weeks exercise has been the easiest, but at least you were able to focus before the exercise was over.
ReplyDeleteHannah, it sounds like you and I have had a similar experience with these exercises. I have had such a hard time doing these. I am the type to relax with movement and have a hard time sitting and letting my mind focus on one thing.
ReplyDeleteWith this one I enjoyed being able to focus on something in the present; my breathing. I really enjoyed it until the middle when there was a long pause. I kept my focus for a while, but lost it when I started wondering if the narrator would come back.
I am interested to see your experiences with the other exercises we will be doing. Good luck!
As expected most of us struggle with these mental exercises and I think it's great we all are doing them together and talking about our struggles. I also found the breathing focus easier to follow rather than just picturing something in my mind and using that as my method of relaxation. Allowing me to focus on something, I guess almost anything, like my breathing appears to be a more practical way to work on these mental exercises. I believe the main objective for me at this point is to remain open to the ideas this class presents. It's such a foreign concept for most of us here in the west that brain exercises, after school of course, is something we should be maintaining and working on daily. Most people, me included, would say they are using their brains every day and are mentally tired but the more I take a look at my own life that is not an accurate assessment. It's more a tired brain from daily stress and trying to maintain a very cluttered life, which I'm working on. I think there is a huge difference in using your brain and focusing your brain to what we might think of as using our brain to cram more "stuff" into our daily life.
ReplyDeleteMike Scales
I'm glad that you enjoyed this exercise as I did. I also am training my mind to not wander during these and it's helpful when the person speaking reminds me to let these thoughts go. I have connected the sound of the ocean that is played to the way that I should perceive my thoughts. Whenever my thoughts wander from my breathing I remind myself to let my thoughts flow like the ocean and to not grasp to any of them. I hope this can be helpful advice to anyone who reads this. I would also recommend trying these exercises without the narration. I like just listening to classical, Native American, or natural soundtracks while doing meditation so that I'm not startled by the sudden onset of the speaker. Love and peace,
ReplyDeleteJuliette Ries
Hannah,
ReplyDeleteI found this exercise easier also but I think that when you have a definitive focal point it truly helps because when we are training our mind it is inevitable that it is going to wander but if you have that focal point you have something to go back too. I am finding that the more I do these types of exercises the lees my mind goes all over the place.
I also do not find the male voice particularly soothing or calming. I have to focus on trying to focus! The ideas behind all of these exercises is awesome, but I need to find the right way for them to apply to me. I do know that when I am able to truly relax myself into the exercises I can see how it would truly benefit me to practice.
ReplyDeleteThe background noise and voice totally make or break one of these exercises for me as well. I always have so much going on in my head, that turning it all off and focusing on a voice is really hard. It has to be the right voice and atmosphere.
ReplyDelete