Hi, everyone.
I listened to the Journal On exercise multiple times, and really am not very sure what I think about it. I have never had much luck participating in guided relaxation or meditation techniques, though I see the value in them and have worked with several individuals who have definitely received great benefit from them.
I think the biggest difficulty I had with this exercise was over thinking the instructions given by the recording. I found the tone and tempo to be very difficult to listen to. There felt like there were pauses in the flow of words that were awkward and forced, which broke up the mood for me. Additionally, rather than sounding sincere as though the narrator believed in the exercise he was describing, the narrator sounded bored as though he were wishing he was somewhere else.
While this is simply my perception of the recording, I found that I never achieved the state of relaxation that the narrator clearly expected his listeners to achieve. Rather than my arms feeling to heavy to move I found myself very restless and having to struggle to focus and concentrate on trying to achieve that high state of relaxation. I had trouble visualizing taking conscious control over the path and concentration of blood through my body and was not able to really visualize it settling in any one area or permeating the tissues "like a sponge" which is a term the narrator used frequently.
I think most of my problem with guided meditation is that I can never seem to find a recording that really encompasses the mood I am feeling at the time and have difficulty really letting go and following the instructions. While I do take time out for a bit of relaxation or unguided meditation just about every day (most people do, even those 10 seconds when we're begging a higher power to grant us patience), I find it works far better for me to simply let my mind wander and either contemplate or dismiss thoughts as they occur, rather than trying to force a specific state of mind.
-Joy Clark
Hello Joy, I will admit I am with you. Finding the guided imagery that is in the same mood you are in is important. Even though most of us would rather not admit it our moods and emotions play a huge role in our lives. I am one who is very much in tune with my emotions, moods, body, and mind, therefore, I prefer to use my own visualization and meditaion formats. What many do not understand is that meditation can be developed into unique individual ways. Good luck
ReplyDeleteHi Joy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty about your experience with this exercise. Like the Dacher text stated, people are all born with a specific disposition so what comes easier for some(like using guided relaxation), takes others a bit more practice or trials to find that one "guide" or technique that works for them.
Relaxation and the calming of the mind IS very important for our overall health, so much so, that searching all the avenues until you find the right one for you is something to really take seriously. It could be as easy as going to a park and walking in the woods for you or sitting in a quiet room with candle light and one of those small fountains running and just training your mind to not do anything.
Whatever you find that works for you will be worth the peace and renewed spirit, life is full of stress and we need an escape every so often.
Sandy
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI must also admit that I am with you on this. I found it hard for me to follow the instructions from the narrator. I personally have never tried the guided relaxation technique or any type of meditation and such. I thought and said to my fiance many times during listening to the exercise that the narrator sounded as if he was bored and didn't want to be doing the exercise. I think the tempo and tone of the voice and the pauses between words is long, drawn out, and choppy. I think it sounds forced and quite theopposite of relaxing.
I do feel that each person needs to have an outlet for letting go of and getting rid of stress, but I don't feel that the meditation is the technique for me.
Anyways, I enjoyed reading yoru blog and your definitely not the only one who had a hard time getting into this one.
Thank you for the great blog and I look forward to reading more of yours during the next 8 weeks of this class.
Joy by trying different ways to meditate you will be able to find the path that works best for you. I find the guided meditating works very well for me by keeping me focused in the now a freelance kind makes me have to work harder and can cause some frustration on my part (much like you were experiencing with the guided). Just keep trying and you will find your path! Good luck:)
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