I did this exercise twice and both times it was a really great experience for me. The first time I did it first thing in the morning in a very quiet room that is special to me. This room is very peaceful and my whole family enjoys the energy in this room the best in the whole house. I think this made the exercise more successful for me. I was able to easily regulate my breathing and experience the quietness of my mind. My whole body was totally quiet and very heavy in fact I found myself not wanting to leave this state of being. The loving kindness was a familiar exercise since praying for others empties one's self-centeredness, but the subtle mind seems to me something I would want to do before the loving kindness since it quiets the mind and opens it up to the Divine mind or higher consciousness and cultivates wisdom, which in turn would allow us to pray for others in a deeper way. But that is just my personal observations from my experiences with these exercises.
The second time I did this exercise was out on the reservoir in my kayak just after sunrise. It was foggy and still out on the water and the silence was emphasized by the fog. Being out in nature brought a whole different dimension to the exercise and experience. The resulting calm-abiding was amazing.
I believe the health of your spiritual mind is the most important. Our physical and intellectual aspects of our life are deepened and enhanced by a healthy spiritual mind. But, likewise our physical and mental health is poor, it is also difficult to have a healthy spiritual life. Certain foods, drinks and stimulants to the physical body impair our judgement and can lower morals. This in turns affects our spiritual life.
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I loved reading about your experience while kayaking! Ever since I read in Dacher's book that we can sometimes experience this type of thing when we are immersed in the stillness of nature, I have wanted to try this exercise on my favorite running trail through the woods. I have a special spot that I just love. However, it's cold outside and I'm stuck at the computer trying to catch up on course work! Your description was beautiful and you have inspired me - tomorrow, right after work I'm headed outdoors! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you were able to do the exercise twice and both times it was a really great experience for you. It is truly wonderful to have a room that is very peaceful and the whole family enjoys the energy in it. I too was able to easily regulate my breathing, but only after refocusing, I experienced the quietness of my mind. My whole body was totally quiet but not heavy. I am glad that you did not want to leave that state of being. I love both exercises and I would want to do loving kindness always before the subtle mind. To me it would be a deeper combined state of relaxation and extreme quietness of the body, mind, and spirit.
The fog, the outdoors, and the silence would have really calmed my wholeness. It is definitely transforming to know the importance of the connection of the body, mind, and spirit wellness as a whole and not in parts.
Thanks you, your experience was very encouraging.
I think that choosing to do this exercise at two different times and places is great! I know that with myself, there are times when I get a lot out of these exercises, and then there are times when I just cannot seem to focus! The more I learn about the practice of doing these exercises themselves, the more I realize that when and where I do the exercises makes a big difference. I absolutely LOVE the idea of being out in nature while performing this exercise! Living in Florida provides me the opportunity to have quite a few beaches around. One of my favorite things in the world to do is walk along the beach right at sunset. It is such a beautiful sight, but I also think that the sounds of the waves and the smells of the sea air really do bring an extra sense of peace to my life. When it finally starts warming up a bit, I definitely think I will try doing one of these exercises at the beach next time!
ReplyDeleteAimee Fairbanks
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI like that you opted to do this exercise in two different places. Being out in your kayak in the still of the morning sounds absolutely fabulous and i am glad that you were able to achieve such great results with this exercise. I tend to agree with you that the subtle mind exercise seems like an excellent preparation for other exercises such as the loving kindness exercise from last week. Like out fellow classmates, I think I'm going to take some time this weekend and go outside to try this. Specifically I'm thinking of going to my favorite spot out here in Washington(the nature reserve) and try this exercise there as well:) Thanks for the inspiration!
-Jen R.
Thanks everybody for your great comments! I find I always do much better clearing my brain away from the house and all the "things I need to do." Seems like when I am away running or walking or kayaking, I don't feel pulled by all of that. Even just sitting in my patio swing in silence feeling the movement of the swing helps to quiet my soul. My husband and I often sit there to open Sabbath on Friday night at sundown. As the sun sets it brings quietness to our home because we don't work, study or do business on Sabbath. We often welcome the Sabbath sitting on the swing in silence watching a sunset. I always feel closer to God outside than in my house.
ReplyDeleteIt must be amazing the spiritual journey that exists each time you kayak on your reservoir. I find the same tranquility when I'm snorkeling in the warm waters of Hawaii. I'm a poor swimmer but I feel comfort and safe among the ocean dwellers. I can imagine almost of conversations by the creatures around me, both enjoying this watery paradise. Since I don't kayak very often, I just become tired afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIf we do not live by the "Golden Rule", eat right, exercise, or make each day matter, our physical and spiritual well being will be jepardize. We cannot feel better nor can we help our families or love ones.
The subtle mind allows a calmness and relaxtion to continue on.
Respectfully, Steve Tardy