Submitted by Sue-Marie on Tue, 01/29/2008 - 1:04pm.
Hi Lynn, I enjoyed reading your post. I have a feeling we may have a lot in common. I am also dealing with some past trauma issues, and I also stop, look around, and notice how good my life is when I start to feel frightened. I notice I don't feel frightened very much anymore. Usually my fear exists only in my mind, and since I can't perceive anything to be fearful of through any of my other sense organs, I know it is just my mind playing tricks on me (again!).
I have been meditating for a couple years now. I never try to stop my thoughts, because I find this to be an unrealistic goal that just makes me feel frustrated. When I meditate, I notice my thoughts. Then I redirect my attention back to my breathing. My mind bounces around much less than it used to, but it really isn't a goal of mine to stop my thoughts. Sometimes when I am too distracted, I will do mindful walking instead of sitting meditation. When I do this, I notice what it feels like when my foot makes contact with the ground. At the suggestion of Thich Nhat Hahn, I imagine my feet are massaging Earth, and that I am telling her how happy I am to be touching her.
Hi Lynn, I enjoyed reading your post. I have a feeling we may have a lot in common. I am also dealing with some past trauma issues, and I also stop, look around, and notice how good my life is when I start to feel frightened. I notice I don't feel frightened very much anymore. Usually my fear exists only in my mind, and since I can't perceive anything to be fearful of through any of my other sense organs, I know it is just my mind playing tricks on me (again!).
I have been meditating for a couple years now. I never try to stop my thoughts, because I find this to be an unrealistic goal that just makes me feel frustrated. When I meditate, I notice my thoughts. Then I redirect my attention back to my breathing. My mind bounces around much less than it used to, but it really isn't a goal of mine to stop my thoughts. Sometimes when I am too distracted, I will do mindful walking instead of sitting meditation. When I do this, I notice what it feels like when my foot makes contact with the ground. At the suggestion of Thich Nhat Hahn, I imagine my feet are massaging Earth, and that I am telling her how happy I am to be touching her.