Fifth Post: Understanding Yourself

 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.