Taming the Monkey Mind: Days 6 & 7

Posted on by stilllearning2b

It is easier for me to meditate after I’ve exercised.  Shocking, I know.  Exhaust the body and the mind calms too.  I have always done better with more active forms of meditation: yoga, walking meditations, etc., but a) they’re not always practical and b) I want to learn to be still, body and mind.

I am enjoying trying different guided meditations and getting a feeling for what works well for me.  I am mainly downloading free podcasts (gotta love those podcasts!).

I tried a different guided mediation that allowed my mind to journey while the body remained still.  The meditation consisted of imagery that guided the listener through a meadow, down some steps, through a woodland, and to a pool.  Just this suggestion of movement made me more comfortable, more relaxed.  I think I might use this mediation and others like it when I am antsy and feeling the need for movement.

I was only able to do a short meditation this morning before work.  I found myself scatterbrained and irritated with the kids today.  I wonder if there is a connection?  I fully intended to take a few moments at work to breath and relax, but it never happened.  I’m not sure why I seem to separate that part of myself from my job, but I do.  I would like to make meditation a part of me, a part that doesn’t disappear when I put on high heels.

This evening, I did a meditation that used a special breathing technique: short, somewhat sharp inhale followed by a quick, thorough exhale.  I really liked this method for quickly removing tension and stress from the body after work (again, tough day today).

This is about the point where I have started to slack off in the past.  Hold me to my promise, guys.  If I haven’t posted about the meditation challenge in a few days, it means the monkeys are running the asylum:)

I love how wise and calm this guy looked hangi...
I love how wise and calm this guy looked hanging out on the Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh. I wonder if he teaches yoga and meditation too? Probably really flexible! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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He May be a Character, but I Narrate the Story

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This one mental shift helped me let go of some of the anger I was holding towards my ex-husband.

Initially, I viewed both of us as characters in some twisted romance turned psychological drama.  He, of course, was the antagonist, performing all sorts of unspeakable acts towards me.  I was fearful of turning each page, afraid of what horrors would await me.  I felt powerless, victimized.

Then I realized, although I may not have the power to write my story, I can shift into the position of the narrator, while still remaining in the story.  As the narrator, I have the ability to interpret his actions, guide the story, and shift the focus.  I could not control the actions of the antagonist, but I could surely control how I wove them into the story.  This guise also allows me to step back from the action, gaining perspective and a broader view.

He will always be a character in my story, but as my own narrator, I choose to make him a minor one.

Detox Your Mind in 5-Minutes: The Power of Quantum Cleansing

Posted on by stilllearning2b

Since the divorce, I feel like I’ve done a better job of living with macro-mindfulness; I no longer live my life on autopilot.  I still have room (a LOT of room!) for improvement in the area of micro-mindfulness, being present in the smaller moments.  This is especially true for me at work, where it is so easy to get swept up in the frenetic pace of a middle school.  I’m going to see if I can find a way to sneak in a version of the technique below at least a couple times throughout the day.  Maybe a placard on my desk that reads, “Don’t bother the teacher; she is re-centering and will be back with you shortly” ?

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Confidence Run

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It’s been awhile since I’ve run a double-digit distance.  Today,I decided to tackle 10 miles, mainly to try to convince the naysayers living in my head that I was not totally crazy to sign up for a marathon this fall.  I have noticed that when I slack off of running, I start to get fearful that I will be able to do it again.  I find the best remedy for this negativity is to run.  Not elegant, but it works.

During today’s run, two of the three members of the running triumvirate decided to show: lungs and mind were present and accounted for.  Unfortunately, my lower legs and feet did not get the memo.  I blame this on two things.  First, I missed my normal yoga class this week and the DYI variety just does not seem to stretch me as deep or as long.  Secondly, apart from running shoes, I am very frugal with my footwear.  Considering I stand for 7-9 hours a day on concrete floors, this is not necessarily a good trait to have.  I am making a public vow to get a couple of decent pairs of work shoes over spring break and try to replace them before the end of the next decade.

Overall, it was a good run.  I kept a respectable sub 7:30 pace and the heat didn’t bother me too much (I thank the hot power yoga for that).  Still, it is a little daunting that I’ll have to run over 2 1/2 times that distance soon.  Yikes.  Best not to think about it too much, especially while I’m resting my achy feet!