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This practice reminded me of the nights I spend in bed when I cannot turn my brain off. I usually end up doing breathing exercises that are exactly the same as this practice. My mind frees itself from the chatter and visuals, and then eventually within a short period of time I am sound asleep. I almost fell asleep and had to stop the practice. I was extremely relaxed and peaceful.
Upon comparing the “Loving Kindness Exercise” to the “Subtle Mind Exercise” it is clear that the latter is easier for me to do as I am familiar with clearing my mind, however staying awake would prove to be an issue as I get way too languid and peaceful for this to be successful. I could be wrong and will try it again this evening after my brain has been awake for more than just one hour.
I can tell that my physical body was completely at rest and it seemed as if all physical pressure had been lifted, as if I was floating. This might be a good exercise for me to try after a stressful occurrence and could possibly help to lower blood pressure and pulse rate. I know when I am upset and stressed out my blood pressure spikes, so this could be the ticket for me to ensure spiritual and physical wellness as I am definitely a Type A personality.
It has been about thirty minutes since I did the exercise and I still feel extremely relaxed, almost to the point of still wanting to take a nap. I am now questioning if the exercise worked too well and is this natural response. Let me know what you think!
Hey Lisha
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posts as well; there is a sense of educated naiveté. This is not an insult in fact this is an accomplishment that I aspire to. One of my greatest setbacks is my ability to think and in my thought process I always default to mature almost automaton thought process. The question “what if” is always given a lower position on the priority and perspective list; I could be wrong but I don’t remember “what if” being a part of childhood innocence, it was always “let’s go” so…
I am going to think again! I don’t believe loving kindness to the subtle mind concept or transition whatever you choose to call it that should not be that difficult assuming that loving kindness is in of itself subtle. I’m going to employ an implement many use to define the indefinable; this does necessarily not reflect my beliefs or opinion it is strictly used to make a point.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
I can’t find anything in this scripture that suggests love and kindness is anything but subtle. Would relaxation and reflection equate to spiritual union? The exercise promotes both in an unassuming approach the waves hitting the shore could be interpreted as an elemental unification, the flute which I m told is playing, a complementary symbolism to rhythmic sound generated by the waves. Put into humanistic interpretation homeostasis represents the natural way of achieving a state of equilibrium much like the state of ebb and flow presented in this exercise. Resistance is futile!
Peace
Vinnie
Well I was looking forward to doing this exercise but just reading about how relaxed it made you is already making me sleepy!
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to what you said about the "chatter" when you lay down to go to sleep. This happens all the time, however after working and two small kids, I am usually lucky enough to shut off the thoughts and sleep. I dread the nights when I can't.
So far everyone has been writing about how great this exercise is so I am looking forward to my quiet time tonight to do this :)
Liz
Hi Vinnie, Thanks for the underhanded complement, I think. I usually feel more comfortable writing research rather than opinions. So this blog has been an eye opening experience for me. I decided to become more personal and open minded in my writings in the class discussion boards and also in my blog. Inspired as that may sound it is hard for me and it is usually the last project I accomplish at the end of the week.
ReplyDeleteHello Elizabeth, you may want to save the exercise for the end of the evening as you will probably be pretty relaxed afterwards. I will try to remind myself to go and read your blog to see how it went for you. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteLisha,
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that you begin to feel tired could be a good sign that you have become so comfortable performing the relaxation exercises on sleepless nights that it releases you from the stressors of mindless chatter.
I also prefer to write academically over blogging but I also like to speak to others so I have been visualizing conversing while blogging and it has been helpful!
~Brandy
Lisha,
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem with having a hard time falling asleep because I cannot turn off my brain. I think this exercise will help with this issue as it helps you regain focus on your breathing and not on the thoughts that seem to cling. I do think that this exercise does bring on a sense of relaxation and shared with you the relaxing feeling for a pro-longed period of time. Doing school work before bed is my biggest issue when it comes to my brain constantly turning; so I am so looking forward to doing the exercise again right before I try to fall asleep. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these exercises, it is nice to know that I am not the only one who cannot turn their brain off at night.
Hello Lisha,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those exercises where you find yourself totally relaxed. I can understand why you wanted to keep falling asleep, you probably got caught up in the moment of listening to you breathing and concentrating on the slowness of your heart beat.
I think this exercise made it easy to find a sence of stillness and calmness much better than the loving-kindness exercise. It's probably a good thing to feel relaxed if you're a type A personality, you're probably on the go all the time feeling the need to be in charge of everything and everyone? I'd say this exercise was just what you needed.
PowerPoint looks great on your blog!
ReplyDelete