Unit 5: Subtle Mind

I thought the Loving-Kindness and Subtle Mind exercises were entirely different.  My experience with the former did not work out to my expectations.  I had better luck with the Subtle Mind exercise, fortunately.  Up until this practice, I didn’t understand what detaching from a thought, feeling, or image was like.  During the exercise, when an invading thought or image surfaced, I imagined blowing it away with the out-breath.  Another helpful technique was using the sound of the waves to “remove” these random thoughts and images – almost as though I was sending them off to “ride the tide” and eventually disappear into the abyss.  Admittedly, I am far from acquiring a witnessing mind, but I feel as though I had a tiny glimpse of what it might be like.  I think I might have held on to my stake (breath) throughout the exercise. I felt that if I loosened my focus on my breath, even slightly, I would start grasping on to my thoughts.  Despite not being able to experience complete stillness and silence of the mind, I still feel good about eventually being able to detach from thoughts, and not ruminate as much.  

Throughout Dacher’s book, he’s repeatedly emphasized the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit.  In striving for human flourishing – enduring health, wholeness, and genuine happiness – we must focus on the wellness of every aspect of the self.  We are looking at the whole, rather than just the sum of parts.  Everything I do, every choice I make, has its consequences on my health and my way of life.  When I start my day off on a positive note, it usually sets the stage for a great day.  When I exercise, chances are that I was able to pray, I probably avoided unhealthy foods, and I probably was more patient with others.  These positive actions are often a result of the overall sense of contentment and satisfaction I feel with actually doing something good for myself.  However, when I allow myself to stay cooped up indoors because it’s rainy and I have things I need to do at home, anyway, I find that I am less patient and accommodating with others…my mood will reflect the gloom that is often characteristic of the Pacific Northwest.