Never tried it; never really felt the need tbh.

 

Worth a shot though, Rog, especially if you're in the frame of mind to try it.  Are you feeling a bit stressed then? 

I think it would do some a world of good.

 I'm ok Cosi dahlink thanks...besides who isn't stressed nowadays ?

 

Its just I tried CBT, and found it interesting. Mindfulness is a slightly different version. It trains the mind to stop faffing and worrying about whats happened/ could happen and focus on the task at hand.

 

The audio has buddhist cymbles clanging in between sections. All very Edina!  

I have a 'garden' I can go to in my head when I need to switch off. Last time it really helped me was when I had my cataract op a couple of months ago. I walk there and once I've entered it's a bit like a maze with a bench in the middle. I can sit on the bench without being bothered by anyone. It's not fool proof, but it helps me.

  

I'll probably be a buddhist in eight weeks time. I'll come in and spread peace and serenity to all 

  I am NOT stressy, ok!

 

 

Rog, give it a go.  Anything that helps to sort the wheat from the chaffe is a good idea in my book.  Glad you're ok  

Thats lovely Cologne. Glad it helps you a bit 

I have a tropical island which I learned to imagine from a hypnotherapy recording. It really does help and I can feel myself actually "there" if I try. 

Ta Cosi 

 

What a fantastic idea to picture a good place in your mind and then go there  

And a cheapo holiday lol 

 

I think anything that helps you de-stress /relax is a good thing Rosie .  I've tried a couple of apps ...but I think it depends how adept you are at emptying your mind .....I love Cologne's idea though  

No problems here Baz   

Today I did the breath meditation

And the raisin meditation - yes you meditate on a raisin 

It calmed me and made me scoff a load of raisins after.

 

do you actually state at a raisin Rosie? I've done the breathing one ...and the counting down steps 

Let me think . . . . Oooom - nope !!

Yes! Its good Baz; I felt more focussed today.

Here it is: [Dr Mark Williams stuff is free online ]. 

1. Holding

Take one of the raisins (or your choice of dried fruit or nut) and hold it in the palm of your hand, or between your fingers and thumb. Focusing on it, approach it as if you have never seen anything like it before. Can you feel the weight of it in your hand?  Is it casting a shadow on your palm?

 

2. Seeing

Take the time really to see the raisin. Imagine you’ve have never seen one before. Look at it with great care and full attention. Let your eyes explore every part of it. Examine the highlights where the light shines; the darker hollows, the folds and ridges.

 

3. Touching

Turn the raisin over between your fingers, exploring its texture. How does it feel between the forefinger and thumb of the other hand?

 

4. Smelling

Now, holding it beneath your nose, see what you notice with each in-breath. Does it have a scent? Let it fill your awareness. And if there is no scent, or very little, notice this as well.

 

5. Placing

Slowly take the object to your mouth and notice how your hand and arm know exactly where to put it. And then gently place it in your mouth, noticing what the tongue does to ‘receive’ it. Without chewing, simply explore the sensations of having it on your tongue. Gradually begin to explore the object with your tongue, continuing for 30 seconds or more if you choose.

 

6. Chewing

When you’re ready, consciously take a bite into the raisin and notice the effects on the object, and in your mouth. Notice any tastes that it releases. Feel the texture as your teeth bite into it. Continue slowly chewing it, but do not swallow it just yet. Notice what is happening in the mouth.

 

7. Swallowing

See if you can detect the first intention to swallow as it arises in your mind, experiencing it with full awareness before you actually swallow. Notice what the tongue does to prepare it for swallowing. See if you can follow the sensations of swallowing the raisin. If you can, consciously sense it as it moves down into your stomach. And if you don’t swallow it all in one go, consciously notice a second or even a third swallow, until it has all gone. Notice what the tongue does after you have swallowed.

 

8. After-effects

Finally, spend a few moments registering the aftermath of this eating. Is there an aftertaste; what does the absence of the raisin feel like? Is there an automatic tendency to look for another?

Now take a moment to write down anything that you noticed when you were doing the practice. 

 

Ommmmmm <<< that bit was me 

Stay with us cos coming up after the break Roger will be talking more Hippy Claptrap about raisins

AND handing out slaps to non-believers  

 

No. But I have tried mediation on a few occasions.

 

In your line of work  EC?  Part of debriefing after a difficult mission?

 . . . and relax your chakra     (before you have a nose bleed)

Yes ma'am...

 

Sorry still in work mode. 

No I'm not angry. I just like slapping you round the head 

Did you know raisins and nuts don't like each other.

They only collaborate in a bag for a sale.

I might give that a try Rosie

 

And while your doing this Baz - someone is nicking your blu-ray

Keeps one eye open...  

Its just the first exercise Baz, teaching you how to focus. Then you go on to the first meditation, which teaches you to concentrate on your breathing [must be like the one you tried?]. If your mind wanders off, say to your worries etc, you guide your thoughts back to your breathing again. The point is to realise how often our minds are invaded by worrying thoughts, without our actually doing anything constructive, and how you're missing enjoying the good things in life, as you're too busy fretting your mind.

 

It might help anyone who spends a lot of time worrying and mulling things over... ummm, me!  

Hmmmmmm

Hmmmmmm

Hmmmmmm

 

no, i havent

 

Yep, me
I don't take the time to practise regularly but I do enjoy the peace of mind when I do do it

These days I might do the occasional breathing exercise that I learned in yoga, it definitely helps calm the mind if you're stressed. Sometimes I do it when I'm laying in the bath!!

I'd be interested to see how you feel at the end of the course

Will do Sweet 

 

Glad you found your yoga breathing exercises helpful 

What's the technique on your course- do you count? Listen to a guided visualisation..?

Its a guided meditation Sweet, with a different meditation/topic every week. I read the relevant section on kindle, then listen to the guided meditation on audio, twice a day. This week its "Mindfulness Meditation of The Body and Breath". I'm actually finding it quite calming and head-clearing so far  

 

Actually some of the meditations are free online:

 

http://franticworld.com/free-m...ns-from-mindfulness/

 

 

Did you enjoy yoga? Its one of those things I was interested in but never got round to trying. 

 

 

This week raisins

Next week . . . . cauliflower !!!

Why don't you try meditation Saint? A nice silent one 

I've done something similar in the past when I've had small procedures under general anasthesia - I go to a sunny beach and hear the waves lapping gently on the shore .............I use a similar technique if necessary at the dentists - I regulate my breathing as well. It works for me.