Have you noticed, how your gut reacts to the quality of thoughts in your mind?
Our bodies constantly talk to us, provided we listen...
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Yep. It helps if I close my eyes.
If I call to mind some past event which caused trauma, I can feel my muscles become tense. They tingle slightly - the rush of adrenalin - not pleasant.
If I call up a pleasant memory, say walking along a beach in warm Spring sunshine or petting a friendly animal, my body relaxes and glows - very pleasant.
Fear causes my gut to contract - an excellent warning to assert appropriate boundaries.
I've noticed that sensations have changed meanings over the years. What used to be a good stretch in yoga now causes damage that takes three weeks or more to heal; I have to stop at the first hint of sensation. Defining the difference between a pain that needs medical attention and one that will disappear of its own accord is not always easy. I keep learning new things about my anatomy and physiology as it ages.
If I call to mind some past event which caused trauma, I can feel my muscles become tense. They tingle slightly - the rush of adrenalin - not pleasant.
If I call up a pleasant memory, say walking along a beach in warm Spring sunshine or petting a friendly animal, my body relaxes and glows - very pleasant.
Fear causes my gut to contract - an excellent warning to assert appropriate boundaries.
I've noticed that sensations have changed meanings over the years. What used to be a good stretch in yoga now causes damage that takes three weeks or more to heal; I have to stop at the first hint of sensation. Defining the difference between a pain that needs medical attention and one that will disappear of its own accord is not always easy. I keep learning new things about my anatomy and physiology as it ages.
Unlearn · 41-45, M
@hartfire I haven't learnt meditation formally from anyone as I cannot trust anyone easily. Also, I don't meditate frequently. It's once in a while thing for me. Having said that, I can stop my thoughts as and when I need to. It's a skill I had learnt while I was going through a bad, stressful phase of my life. What has it shown me, as in visions?
hartfire · 61-69
@Unlearn That's a valuable skill - the ability to shut down unwanted thoughts. :)
"Shown"... sorry, I didn't mean that literally as in visions. I meant, what have you learned or unlearned through meditation or simple sensory observation?
Also I was curious as to what types of meditation you might have tried.
"Shown"... sorry, I didn't mean that literally as in visions. I meant, what have you learned or unlearned through meditation or simple sensory observation?
Also I was curious as to what types of meditation you might have tried.
Unlearn · 41-45, M
@hartfire I wouldn't know where to begin or where to end. Even without meditation I could perceive things that others around me couldn't. So I knew there is more to us than what meets the eyes. I have learnt to be calm, be more creative in thinking, my problem solving skills have improved dramatically, at work. My intuition has improved. There are no self doubts in my mind, my self-esteem has improved, enormous self belief. Coming to unlearning. I have unlearned negativity, cynicism, constant anger, few medical conditions. These are all I could think of currently.
How has meditation been for you?
How has meditation been for you?
hartfire · 61-69
@Unlearn
When young, I tried several styles: Christian, Hindu, Taoist, Zen, Dzog-Chen and Vipassana. I settled on the last of these as what suited me best.
During phases when I've been practising daily, it helped me greatly.
There were periods when things seemed to be going incredibly well and I would laps into not meditating. Very slowly I would get increasingly caught up in circumstances and negative responses - leading into depression.
Returning to meditation always helped me find my way back again.
Now, I hope I'm committed enough not to let it go again. It brings me into states of peace and understanding.
When young, I tried several styles: Christian, Hindu, Taoist, Zen, Dzog-Chen and Vipassana. I settled on the last of these as what suited me best.
During phases when I've been practising daily, it helped me greatly.
There were periods when things seemed to be going incredibly well and I would laps into not meditating. Very slowly I would get increasingly caught up in circumstances and negative responses - leading into depression.
Returning to meditation always helped me find my way back again.
Now, I hope I'm committed enough not to let it go again. It brings me into states of peace and understanding.