Reflection on Meditation & Relaxation

What was the most effective meditation tool for you this semester? How have your perceptions of meditation changed over the course of the semester? Is there anything you wish you had learned? Do you plan on continuing your exploration of meditation in the future?

I have to say that this was definitely my favorite class this semester. Because I stress out so much, the meditation and relaxation techniques that I learned will really help me to deal with this better. I think the best "tool" was just learning how to be in the here and now, and most of all, BREATHE! The breathing techniques are probably what relaxes me the most, although I already practice this in yoga. And of course, I always love yoga, not only for the deep breathing practiced but also for the way it just cleanses your entire body. I love it!

I really don't know of other meditation techniques, so I can't say that I wish I had learned other things, but I do wish we could have met twice a week and maybe have done each meditative technique twice instead of just once.

I really hope to put these techniques to use further down the road, especially at times of high stress. I will definitely keep up the breathing and the yoga, since those are my favorite and make me feel the best.

Body Map

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.

- Aristotle

Did the body map experiment teach you anything about yourself?

I thought the body map experiment was a lot of fun. However, I don't think I would use it again as meditation. But I do like the idea of using art as a form of meditation. I really love to paint so I think that would be a good thing for me to use as a form of meditation. Honestly, I don't think I really learned anything about myself that I was not aware of before. It was fun though being able to represent myself and also seeing what everybody else had drawn. I find it really interesting to see everybody's different representations of the different chakras. I also think that even if we did a body map using a paint brush, it would be a lot easier for me to express myself.

Kriya Meditation

The word "kriya" means to purify, clean, or clarify. Kriya Meditation forces us to be with our experience in the present moment while visualizing the expression of our experiences into a symbolic construction within the energetic body. In an effort to heal, these energetic centers are visualized leaving the body for a time while the body is "left empty". Upon return of these experiences, we accept our experience back into our bodies as a healed constitution of our existential selves.

What experiences seemed vivid, strong, intense, dull, weak, troubled? Was there a resolution? Did you find it a difficult process to stay focused or did you find yourself in another state of consciousness? Where/when did your mind begin to drift and do you think this significant? Where/when did you feel completely present and what is the significance here?

Since I had to make up a class, I had to do Kriya Meditation twice, and I had different experiences with both of them. When I did it on Wednesday, I really liked it. I think I might have just been in a good mood because of yoga and I had actually gotten eight hours of sleep, but for the rest of the day, I just felt great. My mind didn't wander as much as it usually does and I was able to listen to Anita's voice and the visualizations she made for us.

Tai Chi

Look, and it can't be seen.

Listen, and it can't be heard.

Reach, and it can't be grasped.

Above, it isn't bright.

Below, it isn't dark.

Seamless, unnamable,

it returns to the realm of nothing.

Form that includes all forms,

image without an image,

subtle, beyond all conception.

Approach it and there is no beginning;

follow it and there is no end.

You can't know it, but you can be it,

at ease in your own life.

Just realize where you come from:

this is the essence of wisdom.

- Tao Te Ching, by Lao-tzu

In Lao-Tsu's Tao Te Ching, he is describing the tao, another name for chi. How do you think his description can relate to the practice of Tai Chi? What is the purpose of the chi? Is it a concept to which you are able to relate?

I will finish this later...

Walking Meditation

"An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day."
- Henry David Thoreau

What part of walking meditation did you enjoy? What was challenging? Is this something you think you will be able to use in the future?

I really loved walking meditation. I absolutely love being outdoors, and I really enjoyed being able to do the class at the Botanical Gardens. I think that being outside is meditative enough just by being able to enjoy the fresh air, but I loved being able to walk around and enjoy all of the beautiful nature and just kind of escape from the hustle and bustle of a normal day in class. The only thing that was really challenging was turning in and only focusing on breathing and enjoying the scenery with all the loud, little kids running around. It really helped though by putting my fingers up to my ears to block sound, and then just listen to my breath. I also kind of did a rhythm with my breathing and walking: inhale for four steps, then exhale for four steps. This method really helped me to just focus and let go of my stress. I really hope to use this in the future just by maybe taking a short little walk in the evening or something when I'm getting stressed.

Yoga

"Man has no Body distinct from his Soul; for that called Body is a portion of Soul discerned by the five Senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age."

- William Blake

Is yoga mind body consciousness or exercise? What part of the class seemed the most satisfying? Did you feel a state of meditation?

I absolutely love yoga! Yoga is a great form of exercise, which is one reason why I do it, but it's also much more than that. It really is a way to work on mind-body consciousness and a way to sort of "get away". It really makes me feel better and helps me get started with my day. Relaxation yoga is also really great to let go and do more meditating and relaxing. I really loved using the bolsters and laying on top of them holding them; it was really comforting and felt amazing, which is probably why I sleep like that at night. I could definitely feel myself relaxing and starting to go into a meditative state. I could stay like that for a very long time, and I definitely was not ready for class to end...

Progressive Relaxation

Do you think that flexion and release is an effective form of relaxation? Are you finding success in clearing your mind to meditate yet?

I think that this is a great way to relax sometimes. I find that when you flex your muscles for a few seconds and then release them, it helps you to really relax and feel heavy. It almost feels as if you're sinking into the ground. It's still hard for me to fully clear my mind though. Like I have said before, I think way too much and my mind is constantly wandering. But I love learning about the different meditation styles so that I can use all of them at different times, using whichever style I feel is most useful at the time.