- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I think it’s important to note that being able to feel your head in great detail is a lot different than having an image or a picture of what you are feeling in your head. The image eventually must go, leaving you with just the experience of feeling. Although in the beginning it is often imposible to shut these images off, so it’s good to just notice them, and not to feel like you have to force them out of your head. But at the same time it is good to not focus on the pictures, or give them any more energy.
I understand what you mean Catherine. It’s not so much a mental image of the bones and muscles as a sensation of where certain structures start and finish – almost like the feeling of wearing a sort of helmet! I’m not sure that makes sense? I did start with an image rather like the ones I use for teaching, but recognised that as something of a distraction and tried to convert it into something I was feeling rather than mentally seeing. It’s interesting work.
Lesley – that’s great! I see what you mean now, and that must be really interesting for you to ‘be’ all these places that before were just intellectual concepts. How fun!
Well, I think there will be always a sort of mental image but the difference is if it is near physical and spacy feeling in the head or not. So often first meeting the training of a master in this guided meditation gives an impression which got lost in later rounds . This first impression how bony the different sections of the head appeared and got opened with the help of Bruce. This the impression of the sides of the head penetrating also into the different segments of the brain.
The stress laid on the two physical and the different places of the third eye ended in a loss of the tensions there getting smooth eyes able for calmly accompanying meditation. Impressive also the opening of the ears in their relation to the nose.
A general principle also of the later weeks that by moving a little bit, here the jaws the area to be worked at opens the space also between fascia relieving as Bruce tells of the space in the calves also karmic airs.
The discussion led in the postings misses that counting the breath is still the dominating part. As you meet blockages in the body you may space out losing the track. The rule still is to begin with the counting again for regaining the awareness of this place and not following a more dreamy mode by continuing ignoring the break in your attention.
It is surely true that combining the counting with focussing on different parts of the body creates a new unit of attention of this different tasks.
So one part of your attention deals with the counting the other with the object and part of the body at hand which may suddenly affect other parts outside the area dealt with making you lose the focus in the area as the present task.It may create also a sort of energy flow in the area at hand as the energy of your breathing goes to this place of the unitof attention created. But this is not the main focus as in other trainings (ice to water etc.) where a energy flow and pool is created.
Axel
Not sure if anyone ever experiences really “off” meditation sessions but I feel like I did this morning. I felt like everything was off. My breath was alot more shallow than usual and I was hardly able to keep focused on two consistent breaths and the points of my head without my mind going on a mega long string of thoughts.
After a session like that I definetly don’t feel like Im progressing as I should be; Is it possible to somehow twist my experience into a positive one? Nevertheless, I continue to practice everyday.
I also noticed that when I sleep, I breathe through my mouth and the breaths are quite shallow. So, as a result in the morning I feel like my diaphragm is tighter then later in the day. How would one begin to incorporate proper breathing into the dream time?Kevin
One of the reasons I joined this group was to deepen my tai chi practice through meditation, or visa versa. The counting initially moved me away from what I thought was center, but upon observing was simply “spaciness”. As I continue to practice I notice my focus becoming sharper.
I’m interested in integrating some simple chi gung into my morning routine. Any suggestions on how to do this?
Lori
A challenge for me in this lesson: Bruce mentions three places in the head to be aware of — crown, third eye, and eyes. Are we supposed to scan them one at a time, or all at once, or just note the ones where there is “agitation/discomfort” (whether physical, emotional, energetic. . . )? And what about the rest of the places — such as jaw, for example, whose tightness always calls itself to my attention.
Speaking of emotional/physical etc., what’s with this jargon? How does one feel emotional (for example) discomfort at the crown chakra? I’m afraid he’s losing me here. And why “profound” — this is repeated from lesson 1 — this must be meant as significant since it’s repeated.
In my ignorance, I just try to note what’s going on (if anything) at the mentioned places — as in “taking stock”.
John – my impression is that you are supposed to scan these parts individually at first, then start to combine them. For example, I took the crown, the temples, the back and the front individually for awhile, doing a different part each session, and then started doing crown/temples/back/front as one, etc. I think we are supposed to do each one individually, then add it to the group. So you would next do the eyes separately, then do eyes/front/back/temples/crown, then ears separately, etc. I think it should be fine if you arrange it so it feels comfortable to you, sticking with the basic format. I would say if your jaw is calling for your attention before you get to it, it would be best to not do anything about it until you get there, or else your mind will be all over the place.
Your next question made me smile. I think anyone who has studied with Bruce for awhile has had this experience many, many times. I am right where you are on that one. After studying with Bruce many years, I am used to coming to points where my mind just utters a resounding, “HUH??” This is such a common experience for me now, I just accept the fact that I am not quite there yet, and do the exercise to the best of my ability. I have been through periods of frustration, and straining my attention and concentration to try to get something, and realized none of these approaches really worked well for me. So I just do my best, and trust that the more confusing peices of the puzzle will fall into place at some point. I don’t know why ‘profound’ keeps coming up either, but you can only notice what is there, so I think you’re on the right track by just noting. Good luck!
Kevin, I’m pretty sure just about everyone has “off” days. Sometimes even “off” weeks…One thing I’ve learned is that progress in meditation is rarely a linear event, as much as we all wish it were. When you say “I don’t feel like I’m progressing as I should be”, your only problem is feeling that there is an expectation that there is a certain way and rate that you should be progressing at. Just keep doing the practice to the best of your ability, and try not to beat yourself up when things seem to not be going so well.
As for the breathing, you might want to consider adding a breathing practice to your routine. Maybe others can offer some different suggestions, but the first thing that comes to my mind is to learn to breathe well during your day, and once it becomes more of a habit it should come more automatically at night. If you have time, maybe spend some extra time before your meditation doing some gentle breathing exercises, to get your diaphram moving again. Hope this helps!
OK, then, one part of the head at a time, then combine them. (BTW, are we supposed to stick just to the three parts Bruce mentions in the download? Or go on to scan more head parts?)
So, we’re to focus our awareness as follows: on the breath (i.e., the feeling in the nose as it goes in and out); and AT THE SAME TIME, on the head (whatever part or parts we’re up to); and AT THE SAME TIME, count.
That right? It’s challenging.
It’s probably best to just relax and not get hung up on doing it perfectly. If you worry about it you’re adding tension. We have the rest of our lives to get it perfect. LOL.
It seems like the hardest thing about following any discipline is the amount of time spent on plateaus. You get a burst of improvement now and then, and then it’s back to trudging along.
My breathing seems to have gotten naturally deeper with the counting. I am just finishing week 2 though and have been focusing on the breath along with the counting. Good luck everyone!
Well, sure — just want to follow the instructions correctly, don’t expect to get it all right right away.
Thats super helpful; cheers.
I realize that meditation is a big undertaking and will take alot of patience and practice. Also, I think I will practice some longevity breathing prior to beginning for a good warm up.
Thanks.
John, just finished the first meditation of week three and can say I feel your pain now. Can’t say that I feel profoundly troubled but I’m going to be aware of it in case I see it. I am glad that the first session just focuses on the bai hui down to the hairline. I was hoping to feel some sensation maybe. Eventually!
I have re-read this thread and am grateful to those of you who have gone before me. Must go out into the snow now, tho. Be well.
This is an archived forum (read only). Go to our active forum where you can post and discuss in real time.