Recently, I made a post about how I was starting the practice of Mindfulness Meditation. I said in that post, regarding any changes that I may notice as a result of the practices that "As these evolve, I may share some of them here." In fact, I am going to change that slightly and not share a change per se, but a process I am struggling with, but beginning to improve upon -- all with the help of my hero, Homer Simpson.
A key component of Mindfulness is to pay attention to the breath to help develop attention training.
I have been finding this very difficult. I am still finding it quite challenging, but hey I am in the process of learning. I have just embarked upon this practice. I would not expect myself to become fluent in a language I cannot speak instantly. I would need to spend time on my verbs, or trying to figure out why if I only want to thank one person I still say thanks when I think it should be just "thank". Anyway, I digress.
Yes, so focusing my attention on the breath. What I found has been happening, is that as soon as I turn my attention to my breath, it feels awkward, unnatural and forced. I think what is happening here in part is that I am making a judgement on what it should/shouldn't feel like and trying to force my breathing to fit that idea, instead of just letting the breath be.
Enter Homer Simpson. What I've been practicing is to pretend that I am Homer Simpson. One of the scenes that Homer is often shown in is repeating the simple action of something. In this case below, you'll see him activating a hospital bed. "Bed goes up, bed goes down, bed goes up, bed goes down", and so on. I am trying to just have that notion of "notice the breath goes in, notice the breath goes out" (whether that be noticed in the nostrils, abdomen or whole body experience). The only point of difference from the video is that Homer is making the bed go up and down, where as I am just noticing when the action of breath takes place.
If you're like me (first contact your doctor and ask to see their psychiatrist), and struggling to breath properly, let Homer help you. He is a man of great wisdom.
Mmmmm forbidden happiness.
A key component of Mindfulness is to pay attention to the breath to help develop attention training.
I have been finding this very difficult. I am still finding it quite challenging, but hey I am in the process of learning. I have just embarked upon this practice. I would not expect myself to become fluent in a language I cannot speak instantly. I would need to spend time on my verbs, or trying to figure out why if I only want to thank one person I still say thanks when I think it should be just "thank". Anyway, I digress.
Yes, so focusing my attention on the breath. What I found has been happening, is that as soon as I turn my attention to my breath, it feels awkward, unnatural and forced. I think what is happening here in part is that I am making a judgement on what it should/shouldn't feel like and trying to force my breathing to fit that idea, instead of just letting the breath be.
Enter Homer Simpson. What I've been practicing is to pretend that I am Homer Simpson. One of the scenes that Homer is often shown in is repeating the simple action of something. In this case below, you'll see him activating a hospital bed. "Bed goes up, bed goes down, bed goes up, bed goes down", and so on. I am trying to just have that notion of "notice the breath goes in, notice the breath goes out" (whether that be noticed in the nostrils, abdomen or whole body experience). The only point of difference from the video is that Homer is making the bed go up and down, where as I am just noticing when the action of breath takes place.
If you're like me (first contact your doctor and ask to see their psychiatrist), and struggling to breath properly, let Homer help you. He is a man of great wisdom.
Mmmmm forbidden happiness.
