Video 1: Anthony De Mello on "Self-Observation"
1. What is the most important thing you can do when no one can help you?
Self-observation.
2. What is the difference between self-observation and self-absorption? What is self-observation?
Self-absorption is self preoccupation, being concerned and worried about yourself. Self-observation means to watch everything in you and around you as if it were happening to someone else--to watch without personalizing.
3. Why do we suffer?
We suffer because we identify with our depressions and anxieties. "I am depressed", but we are not our depressions.
4. Anthony De Mello uses the analogy of the sky and clouds to speak about the relationship between our true "self" and our thoughts/emotions/different states of life. How does he define the self/"I"?
He defines the self as an observer of them all. You're a passer, a detached observer. Someone who is not interfering, but simply watching and observing.
5. If you understand things they will do what?
They will change.
6. Finish the sentence from 5.25: "What you judge you ...."
"...cannot understand."
Reflection:
7. What do you think about DeMello's statement, "I am not my depression, I am not my joy?" Who/What is the "I" that can say, "I am not myself?" Make a list of your most precious qualities and character traits. Does that list account for everything that is your "I?" If not, why not?
I suppose the "I" that can say that is the I that is changing every moment. You are not always in a state of anything, depression or joy--no matter how constant either one is. It is not a forever kind of thing. If you said that you "are" something, the English language can interpret it that you "are always" this.
Precious qualities/Character traits:
Caring, goofy, creative, artistic, strong, sassy, humorous, gentle, crazy, loyal, clever, never boring, free spirit, hopeless romantic, bookworm, grumpy, lively,--this in no way accounts for anything of who "I" am. There a million sides to a person, and they're always changing. Story time: Just recently I had to write a second manifesto for a class I am taking. I couldn't find my old one, so I started over and wrote a new one. I thought it was so much better than the first one! I of course didn't think it summed up everything, but it got the main thing across. By the second time reading it for the class, I realized that it was horrible. It wasn't horrible because it was written badly or anything, but it was horrible because many were not understanding what I was trying to get across. I could tell by the professor's comments afterward that it had flown right over his head--completely. It made me feel stupid and like I had written it wrong, but it was simply because I, personally, cannot ever sum myself up in a few paragraphs. I am so many things, always changing, always having crazy new adventures. It's hard to understand how people don't understand what you're trying to say or get across (especially concerning yourself), because it just comes so naturally. I am naturally me, and no one will ever be able to understand that. I think a small part of me (and possibly everyone) always hopes that at least one person will be able to understand me completely--or maybe I'm rather afraid of that (not quite sure with the "always changing")--but someone can never 100% understand someone. However, I guess we can hope for the most! I also hope it is understandable why this paragraph of understanding is so understandingly long.
Video 2: Ted Talk by Angela Bradshaw on the "Alexander Technique"
1. What happens to us when we experience fear, stress and anxiety? Why?
We shorten in stature, narrow inside, pull our heads back and down, and compress ourselves. It is a survival mechanism kicking in--the fight or flight response.
2. (minute 3.15ish) The Alexander Technique does what?
The Alexander Technique enables us to choose a different response. It makes conscience how we are using our body and allows us to be more appropriate in response to our circumstances.
3. Finish the sentence (4:10ish) "Nature would prefer...."
"...us to be in balance."
4. What are the three points of contact for the foot?
Big toe, little toe, and heel.
5. What are the three hinges in our legs?
Ankles, knees, and hips.
6. Where are the hip joints?
A third of the way along between the pelvis and the pubic bone.
7. Allow the pelvis to be heavy like a .....?
An anchor.
8. Where is the top of the spine?
Between the ears and behind the eyes.
Reflection:
9. What, according to your view of the world, is the connection between your mind and body?
According to my view, the mind and body are completely connected. You cannot fully use one without the other. When communicating, one could not only use one, they would have to use both. Though many people have one that they are better communicating with, you still need both. They are connected completely--literally. I think for myself to have a healthy mind, I must have a healthy body. Also, to have a healthy body, I must have a healthy mind. They are two forces that compliment each other and want to improve upon themselves.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Fourth Post: Freedom to Flow
Video 1 - Playing the Game of Life, by Alan Watts
1. What does our society tell children?
Society tells children that it is playing a game and playing by following rules. It will tell them the rules so they know their way around. Once understood and when the children are older, they will be able to invent better ones. Children are on probation and not considered to be real human beings. They are candidates and sent to go on a journey of preparation to something they will never get to.
2. What is our society's "preparation for life?"
Society's preparation for life begins with kindergarten, then elementary school, high school, college, and graduate school. Then commencement begins, where a student is released in the world just to end up in the same cycle of preparation.
3. When one arrives, Watts claims that he or she often feels cheated. Why?
People feel cheated because they have been trained for this their whole life, and then have to go through more training after. It dawns on them that this is what they have "arrived" to. Life feels the same as it has always felt.
4. What is the final goal of our society?
It is for retirement.
5. What is the problem with living ever for the future?
Making plans for the future is of use only to people who are capable of living completely in the present.
Video 2: The Secret of Life
1. What is the Chinese word for nature? What does it mean?
Ziran--meaning that which happens of itself.
2. According to Watts, you stop the spontaneous flowering of nature if you do what to it?
If you tell it, you must do it. When you try to command the spontaneous process, you stop it.
3. According to Watts, what are human beings?
The fabric and structure of existence itself.
4. What is the secret of life according to Watts?
Instead of calling it work, realize this is play.
Video 3: You're Already Awesome
1. What was Dr. Brewer's experience of flow?
No Shit! There he was. He was barreling down a mountain bike trail in Colorado. A whole lot of descent, not much trail. He was really focusing on staying on the trail, at some point there wasn't a bike, a trail, or even him. It was just flow.
2. According to the Harvard study mentioned by Brewer, what percentage of time do we get caught of up thinking?
50% of the time.
3. Finish the sentence: "A wandering mind is a _____"
A wandering mind is an unhappy mind.
4. What happens to the brain during meditation?
The default and craving regions of the brain become quieter.
5. In nine minutes, the test subject mentioned by Brewer learned the difference between what?
He learned the difference between getting caught up and getting out of his own way.
Reflection Question:
How does all of this relate to our yoga practice? How does it relate to killer ball? To performing? Was there an idea in any of these talks that stood out to you? If so, what was it and why?
Our yoga practices require a great level of presence and meditation to be done properly. For someone to reap the most benefits from yoga, they must be in a state of flow.
During killer ball, whether you were on the outside circle or the inside, a great amount of presence and focus was required to win. I know from personal experience that I sucked being in the middle. I was definitely too distracted to adequately dodge the ball or protect. However, when Skye and Maja were in the middle, they had a great sense of focus and remained in the middle for what felt like forever TWICE!
In relation to performance, an actor or actress will not be able to perform to their best ability without at least a taste of flow. Acting is being. To act, every action can not be planned ahead, it has to be in the moment or it won't be real. Or feel real, perhaps. When you are acting, you just have to live (be present), but if you can't do that in regular life, how can you expect to do it then?
My favorite idea discussed was the spontaneous process of nature. I loved loved loved when he said that if you tried to control it would just stop! This is exactly how I feel about so many things. One of the many reasons I hate the levels of education preceding college is because of the amount of control forced upon people, especially at such a young age when one just wants to be free. It's as if we're all being trained to be robots. I don't want to be forced to learned something I find useless, then be expected to reiterate it back. Only to receive a grade, telling me whether or not I can amount to a future or not. Everyone has the possibility of a future and everybody has the capacity to learn. I honestly can't truly enjoy anything unless I'm living in the present. Dancing, cooking, singing, laughing, writing, I all have to do it in the present. I don't plan to laugh or plan to sing to my favorite songs in the car, it just happens and I just love it. The main reason why laughter seems to be everyone's medicine is because it is completely and solely in the present moment. Freedom is the necessity of life, and it is what we all deserve as a human being. The right to live in the present and be ourselves, no matter what others deem otherwise.
1. What does our society tell children?
Society tells children that it is playing a game and playing by following rules. It will tell them the rules so they know their way around. Once understood and when the children are older, they will be able to invent better ones. Children are on probation and not considered to be real human beings. They are candidates and sent to go on a journey of preparation to something they will never get to.
2. What is our society's "preparation for life?"
Society's preparation for life begins with kindergarten, then elementary school, high school, college, and graduate school. Then commencement begins, where a student is released in the world just to end up in the same cycle of preparation.
3. When one arrives, Watts claims that he or she often feels cheated. Why?
People feel cheated because they have been trained for this their whole life, and then have to go through more training after. It dawns on them that this is what they have "arrived" to. Life feels the same as it has always felt.
4. What is the final goal of our society?
It is for retirement.
5. What is the problem with living ever for the future?
Making plans for the future is of use only to people who are capable of living completely in the present.
Video 2: The Secret of Life
1. What is the Chinese word for nature? What does it mean?
Ziran--meaning that which happens of itself.
2. According to Watts, you stop the spontaneous flowering of nature if you do what to it?
If you tell it, you must do it. When you try to command the spontaneous process, you stop it.
3. According to Watts, what are human beings?
The fabric and structure of existence itself.
4. What is the secret of life according to Watts?
Instead of calling it work, realize this is play.
Video 3: You're Already Awesome
1. What was Dr. Brewer's experience of flow?
No Shit! There he was. He was barreling down a mountain bike trail in Colorado. A whole lot of descent, not much trail. He was really focusing on staying on the trail, at some point there wasn't a bike, a trail, or even him. It was just flow.
2. According to the Harvard study mentioned by Brewer, what percentage of time do we get caught of up thinking?
50% of the time.
3. Finish the sentence: "A wandering mind is a _____"
A wandering mind is an unhappy mind.
4. What happens to the brain during meditation?
The default and craving regions of the brain become quieter.
5. In nine minutes, the test subject mentioned by Brewer learned the difference between what?
He learned the difference between getting caught up and getting out of his own way.
Reflection Question:
How does all of this relate to our yoga practice? How does it relate to killer ball? To performing? Was there an idea in any of these talks that stood out to you? If so, what was it and why?
Our yoga practices require a great level of presence and meditation to be done properly. For someone to reap the most benefits from yoga, they must be in a state of flow.
During killer ball, whether you were on the outside circle or the inside, a great amount of presence and focus was required to win. I know from personal experience that I sucked being in the middle. I was definitely too distracted to adequately dodge the ball or protect. However, when Skye and Maja were in the middle, they had a great sense of focus and remained in the middle for what felt like forever TWICE!
In relation to performance, an actor or actress will not be able to perform to their best ability without at least a taste of flow. Acting is being. To act, every action can not be planned ahead, it has to be in the moment or it won't be real. Or feel real, perhaps. When you are acting, you just have to live (be present), but if you can't do that in regular life, how can you expect to do it then?
My favorite idea discussed was the spontaneous process of nature. I loved loved loved when he said that if you tried to control it would just stop! This is exactly how I feel about so many things. One of the many reasons I hate the levels of education preceding college is because of the amount of control forced upon people, especially at such a young age when one just wants to be free. It's as if we're all being trained to be robots. I don't want to be forced to learned something I find useless, then be expected to reiterate it back. Only to receive a grade, telling me whether or not I can amount to a future or not. Everyone has the possibility of a future and everybody has the capacity to learn. I honestly can't truly enjoy anything unless I'm living in the present. Dancing, cooking, singing, laughing, writing, I all have to do it in the present. I don't plan to laugh or plan to sing to my favorite songs in the car, it just happens and I just love it. The main reason why laughter seems to be everyone's medicine is because it is completely and solely in the present moment. Freedom is the necessity of life, and it is what we all deserve as a human being. The right to live in the present and be ourselves, no matter what others deem otherwise.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Third Post: Don't Mind Your Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness - Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn
1. How does Dr. Kabat-Zinn define mindfulness?
He defines it as purposely paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally as if your life depends on it, allowing you to connect better with your life. It doesn't involve a lot of energy
2. Why, according to Dr. Kabat-Zinn, does our "life depend" upon mindfulness?
Attention is what allows us to navigate our lives. It allows us to have wiser relationships with things going on in our lives.
3. Does it matter what thing or things you pay attention to?
No, it is the attending of your thoughts that matters.
4. Is Mindfulness a technique?
It is not a technique. It is a way of being--being embodied, and aware of the world.
All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes - Andy Puddicombe
1. What does Andy suggest we "do" for at least 10 minutes each day?
He suggests we do nothing. He wants us to take a moment with no distractions or anything.
2. According to the Harvard study cited by Andy, what % of time are our minds lost in thought?
47%
3. Is Mindfulness about controlling our thoughts and feelings? If yes, explain. If not, explain.
No, it is about letting your thoughts flow on their own. It is being in the here and now. It is letting the present moment take you and not judging any of it. Your mind has to be focused and relaxed at the same time.
4. How does Andy's juggling with the three red balls relate to our activity of balancing sticks?
Just as Andy has to be focused and relaxed at the same time to juggle the three balls, so do we. He also demonstrates how uneasy the juggling became when he was too focused or too relaxed.
Don't Mind My Mindfulness
For this activity, I sat cross-legged on my couch. I had to turn on relaxing music (Bon Iver), since my neighbors were throwing a Super Bowl party. In the first couple of minutes, my mind was flooding with thoughts, some very emotional. Then my mind became more empty. I focused on my breath and the music. Once my alarm when off, I shut it off right away and took 5 more minutes. I started imagining wonderful, present places I could be like, in a sunny forest with leaves flying at me and my hair flying up in knots or just letting myself be covered in rain. (I did not however actually go outside and sit in the rain.) Overall, it was a nice mindful experience. I will definitely try this in the future, especially when my mind is going crazy.
1. How does Dr. Kabat-Zinn define mindfulness?
He defines it as purposely paying attention to the present moment non-judgmentally as if your life depends on it, allowing you to connect better with your life. It doesn't involve a lot of energy
2. Why, according to Dr. Kabat-Zinn, does our "life depend" upon mindfulness?
Attention is what allows us to navigate our lives. It allows us to have wiser relationships with things going on in our lives.
3. Does it matter what thing or things you pay attention to?
No, it is the attending of your thoughts that matters.
4. Is Mindfulness a technique?
It is not a technique. It is a way of being--being embodied, and aware of the world.
All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes - Andy Puddicombe
1. What does Andy suggest we "do" for at least 10 minutes each day?
He suggests we do nothing. He wants us to take a moment with no distractions or anything.
2. According to the Harvard study cited by Andy, what % of time are our minds lost in thought?
47%
3. Is Mindfulness about controlling our thoughts and feelings? If yes, explain. If not, explain.
No, it is about letting your thoughts flow on their own. It is being in the here and now. It is letting the present moment take you and not judging any of it. Your mind has to be focused and relaxed at the same time.
4. How does Andy's juggling with the three red balls relate to our activity of balancing sticks?
Just as Andy has to be focused and relaxed at the same time to juggle the three balls, so do we. He also demonstrates how uneasy the juggling became when he was too focused or too relaxed.
Don't Mind My Mindfulness
For this activity, I sat cross-legged on my couch. I had to turn on relaxing music (Bon Iver), since my neighbors were throwing a Super Bowl party. In the first couple of minutes, my mind was flooding with thoughts, some very emotional. Then my mind became more empty. I focused on my breath and the music. Once my alarm when off, I shut it off right away and took 5 more minutes. I started imagining wonderful, present places I could be like, in a sunny forest with leaves flying at me and my hair flying up in knots or just letting myself be covered in rain. (I did not however actually go outside and sit in the rain.) Overall, it was a nice mindful experience. I will definitely try this in the future, especially when my mind is going crazy.
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