Unit 8 "Just Breathe"

Unit 8 Just Breathe

The two meditations that have inspired me the most from this class are “Meeting Asclepius” and “Subtle Mind” exercise (Dacher 2006).  Both of these have an incredible calming effect to my mind but they accomplish a peaceful state of mind in two very distinctly different ways.

            First “Meeting Asclepius” meditation is a wonderful way to get through feelings of self hatred, loneliness and isolation.  In this meditation you focus on a person that you love and that has shown you love.  Next you take on the characteristics of that person, be it their wisdom, open and loving heart or physical strength and power.  By imagining this person sitting in front of you it allows you to feel as if you are no longer alone.  The second connection begins when you imagine a white light beaming from their head to your head so that you gain their positive thoughts and wisdom, a white light beaming from their throat to your throat allowing you to take in their positive speech and last the white light beaming from their heart to your heart allowing you to receive their love, kindness and compassion and share it to the world.

            The second meditation called the “Subtle Mind” is the go to meditation for me when I am experiencing great anxiety or overwhelming fear.  This exercise is a focus on the breath.  By focusing on your breathing you are able to allow other thoughts to come and go and never attach your focus on those thoughts because your focus is on your relaxing, repetitive and smooth breathing.  Your mind does not focus on two things with the same intensity at the same time.  By concentrating deeply on your breath the other thoughts are allowed to drift by without great attention toward them.  This very meditation was very useful today as I crossed Back Bone Rock alone.    In the past I was able to cross two other times both times holding someone’s hand.  Not that if I started to fall off the incredibly high and narrow cliff they would actually be able to stop me but I was able to concentrate my focus on their feet and the sensation of them squeezing my hand.  Ever since those two times I have taken my daughter up to Backbone Rock and as she is not afraid of anything (so it seems) she would always speed on ahead all the while I would be frantically calling out to her saying “slow down, watch your step and wait up I think I have to turn back.”  Yes we have tried unsuccessfully 5 other times to get me to cross that narrow cliff (did I mention it was narrow?).  All 5 times I had to turn back around and go down the mountain side we came up with my countenance low.  Today was going to be different!  I made up my mind I would cross that cliff.  I started out visualizing my outcome as the victor and crossing that cliff with a smile on my face.  That got my courage up to try again.  Then came the anxious moment about a gazillion feet up in the air with nothing on either side just a straight drop into the depths below.  I slowed my walking pace and began to do the Subtle Mind practice.  Yes up on that cliff I began to slowly breathe in and out methodically and purposefully.  Concentrating intensely on the air going in through my nose with a count of 4 and back out with another count of 4.  I was able to look at the ground where my feet were taking one step at a time just like I do every day but instead of noticing the huge drop off where before I imagined plummeting to my death I instead paid little attention to it because I kept my mind focused on my breath.  In 2-3-4 out 2-3-4 keeping the same pace in a controlled manner and with in 5 minutes I was on the other side of that natural bridge the victor!  Yes it was intense and there were times I had to count out loud still in a low deep purposefully slow pace in 2-3-4 out 2-3-4.  I am alive and well with a great sense of accomplishment.  I thought that would be my metaphor for life.  Take it slow, do everything with purpose and just remember to breathe.

Love, peace and happiness,

Angel Running Deer Dobson

References:

Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The path to human flourishing.     Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

The pictures in decending order are:
1.  My daughter Robin Little Fawn and me at the top of Back Bone Rock safely on the other side!
2.  The narrow drop off part.
3.  View from the top.
4.  The first time I crossed the cliff with the help of two great guys Phil on the outside and Chris in the middle.  Angels sent from above that is for sure.  Thanks guys!  Notice my hands out as if I am trying to balance and this is the wide part where we can stand on the narrow part was in the 2nd pick above.