While I am still trying to adjust to meditation practice, I have found subtle-mind and visualization practice to be the most accessible for me. I think I like them both because in a way, they oppose one another. Subtle-mind requires observation and the ability to let go of thoughts and images as they pass through the mind. Visualization is more active. It requires a focus on a single thought or image and a development of it. I find it difficult to focus in quiet, but both of us these practices tap into the mind's ability to follow through, either with passive observation or with active imagination.
I believe the best way to practice both is to alternate them. It may exercise my mind to practice both either day to day or week to week, so I can strengthen the individual practice, while still maintaining interest in both. For example, if I practice subtle-mind in the morning when my my thoughts are less active and less likely to be distracting, and then practice visualization at the end of a day where images are fresh and vivid, I can use my own daily rhythms to contribute to mental fitness. Or as a challenge I could do the opposite, waking myself through images and winding down with observations. Either way, consistency is important in making these practices count. I have to commit to setting aside time each day.
Hi Natalie
ReplyDeleteI too have had difficulty trying to adjust to meditation, since it isn't something that I practice on the regular basis. It's easy to beccome side track when doing these meditation exercises at times because I tend to focus on a million other things at once. Consistency is a big thing, and I do agree in order for these exercises to work you do have to be more diligent.
Hello Natalie, Thank you for your honesty about the difficulties you have had with meditation, I have the difficulty of finding someone with a voice I can be comfortable with. I think you are right that these are both great aposing meditations. I chose the subtle mind and meeting Asclepius as the two I think they are also aposing meditations. I think you have a great plan for staying on track. The main idea from what I can see is to stay consistent with what ever meditations we choose. Keep up the great work and remember to smile!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless You, Ryan West