The two that I have found that work best for me would be the subtle mind and my meditation routine that I do at least once a week. The subtle mind was a truly peaceful experience for me and truly relaxing. I felt just a wave of love, peace, relaxation and a oneness with myself as I laid there visualizing Buddha. To me Buddha is the very essence of all of those things and I cannot not see him without feeling those things. My meditation routine is to sit in a room only lit by candlelight, I sit in the quiet for 15 or longer depending on how I was feeling when I started. When I am nearing the end of my journey I blow out the candles one by one visualizing them carrying away my stresses, hurts and pain with them. I sometimes need this more than once a week but I make sure to find the time at least once a week. I will now start to incorporate the subtle mind into my week also as I feel this will be so beneficial to my overall health and to achieve the trained mind that I so greatly want in my life. While these work great for me, training the mind is very personal thing and we must all find the path that works for us. But these would be the ones that I recommend to others. Good luck to all of us on this path!!
I liked the visualization concept of blowing out candles and seeing them carrying away stress one by one. I never would have thought of something like that. And I agree as far as Buddha being the essence of everything that represents harmony.
ReplyDeleteVisualization is a powerful form of meditation. Using the image of a candle works well for me, too. But I also like to apply personal images of achievements in my life, seeing myself through the process from beginning to end. A great way to work through fears and doubts. Namaste
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking! I also enjoy sitting in a quiet dark room with candle light to help my meditation to go well. It is a great way to really connect with your spirit. I feel so much stress lifted off of me when I do this.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI really like your part of your meditation of blowing out the candles and visualizing them carrying away your stresses, this seems like it would be an incredibly powerful ritual. I think there is significance in all things that we do in our meditation space and time and each of those things should be valued as part of the meditation it's self. Great post this week.
Ramsie
I really love your candle ritual...it sounds so serene and cleansing. I like that you set your practice to "15 minutes or longer", depending how you feel. I think that a lot of what we have been practicing, has been longer than that, and that can be intimidating for some (me) to start. It's okay to just do what we can do and what works for each individual. I think that one of my problems with the exercises that we have done this term is that they are TOO detailed, which won't let me get out of my head. However, I understand that this is a great guide to start, and when I am not concerned about writing a paper or blog, I really think that I will be able to incorporate this into my life. You are an inspiration, best of luck! Kara
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