Braxton Adams

The Heart of the Practice

My Try Activities

Pg. 105 I found this try activity harder than the others. Keeping my mind still at times can be a
challenge. But, I was able to achieve after a couple trys a very aware 5 mins. My being moment was
accomplished at the park. I watched as the wind and the earth went as it would without me there.
Watching the people who were present in that moment go about their day was an interesting view
point. I was aware of my state of being.

Pg. 108 Walk with dignity? I pondered on what this meant. Coming to a conclusion that walking with
dignity was similar to confidence. I walked with my shoulders back and my head straight. I was aware of
my surroundings and felt proud and very confident.

Pg. 116 This try session involved being aware of my hands positon. Actually paying attention to the
way my hand moved after mentally commanding it to perform a task. Being aware and watching its
movements I noticed especially during meditation that different hand positions altered the internal
feeling my body was experiencing. This was a fantastic try session.

Pg. 120 During my meditation sessions I listen to a very specific song. Its length has become familiar.
When going thru the meditation my mind leaves and then returns automatically. It seems at the given
point when the song is coming to an end my body comes back to the now. The transition is flawless and
automatic.

Pg. 125 I definitely prefer lying down for my meditations for a couple reasons. Sitting I have found to
be strenuous on my lower back. Laying down feels natural and comfortable for my body preferred to a
sitting meditation.

Pg. 129 Im still very new to meditation but, Ive never asked or thought to myself if Im doing this
right.

Pg. 140 This meditation was hard to grasp. I tried visualizing this mountain but the try me questions to
visualize the mountain in others was a concept I couldnt visualize.

Pg. 144 A great try me session. I visualized and was able to interpret the stillness of the lake image.
The calmness of the water seen helped me realize the calmness I can learn from. I was able to decipher
that message into being more calm in future situations.

Pg. 147 My conscious walking meditation took place when I went for a walk with my dog. After
learning how to walk with dignity from the try me session on pg 108 Ive embodied that mindful
awareness of walking. So ive essentially already have been doing this mindful walking. Its empowering
to walk with dignity and being aware of it.
Pg. 150 I call this the Who Rahh moment. As reaching out palm open I felt like a was releasing
negative energy and palms open for positive energy. I felt like I was receiving and releasing energy.

Pg. 155 I loved this session. As you know I prefer my sessions of meditation lying down. We did this
once before in class so this practice was familiar to me. Feeling my breath for various parts of my body
was relieving. My feet felt lighter, my lungs fuller, my mind clearer, and my body felt lighter. Its a great
meditation to breath for all parts of the body. Even going breathing for each finger and toe is a great
experience. Ultimate relax state of mind.

Pg. 159 Stretching and being aware of the parts and sections of your body that need to be worked with
is fantastic. Your lower back if you pay attention gives you signs of when it needs that attention. Feeling
what positon gives the best release of strain. Moving around to different positions and feeling the
response your body gives.

Pg. 168 This was a confusing try me. Ive never felt unlovable or that Im unacceptable. Ive had
negatives self thoughts but these have never crossed my mind. There are millions of people in the world
of which I know many love me. Some who Ive met and some who I have yet to meet.

Why do I Meditate?

After thinking about this question I came to the conclusion of three answers which are Awareness,
Calmness, and Insight.

Awareness, what I mean by this is to give myself the opportunity to be more aware. After each
meditation I have a better insight on the situations around me. I ask myself questions during my
meditations to ponder and wonder on what the conclusion or answer might be. I can assess situations
with a more mindful approach. I can see things happening that normally I would have over looked. This
awareness gained is from my meditations.

Calmness, this has been a larger reason as to why I choose this class and why I continue my meditations.
Ive had more situations arise that cause chaos or stress and meditation has brought a way to quickly fix
these moments. Being able to take only a few moments to calm myself with meditation has been
fantastic. I find myself quickly being able to deescalate my frustration with a meditation session.

Insight, is exactly what it means to find answers or to think more in depth on certain scenarios. That
time set aside in the beginning of a meditation to ask questions to myself or just let things happen and
assess the situation. Im able to analyze more in depth on it, to find a solution. The insight gained from
my past mediations have greatly affected my current life style and how I assert myself in given
situations.
 My Meditation Practice

Do I relax when I meditate, instead of tensing up?

I definitely relax when I meditate, thats one of the reasons to add to why I do it.

Is my mind alert and aware, yet open and receptive?

I keep my mind open so I can obtain answers for thoughts that come up during my meditation.

Do I remember to come back to the focus of my meditation when my mind wanders off?

Yes I recenter myself in the moment. I analyze where my thoughts are going but dont necessarily stop
them from going to other questions. .

Do I remain relatively still, instead of fidgeting or shifting constantly?

As said previously I lay down for my meditations I dont fidget, I dont move much unless I have an
itch, so yes I remain relatively still.

Do I take one moment at a time, rather than trying to achieve some goal like quieting my mind?

I do take one moment at a time I assess feelings and questions my mind has been pondering. Unless I
meditate with the intent to find a stillness and quiet mind then I would focus on achieving that state of
mind.

Am I enjoying my breath (or mantra or other focus) instead of working hard to get it right?

I am enjoying my breath. Being aware of my body and mind has been a wonderful and liberating
experience.

Comparing the first lying on the floor exercise and then doing it again.

Like the try me session on page 155 I do this mediation quite frequently. The experience is different
everytime but the experience continues to get better and better. My body goes thru the motions and
relaxes deeper after each time. This is one of my favorite meditations. I think lying down is a natural
position for your body. Everyone can do it and the feeling is sensational.

Can loving kindness meditation enhance self-care?

Yes! Absolutely, you become more aware of your body and the loving kindness mediation helps
reinforce that feeling of self care. You want to care for your self and love your body. This meditation
helps build that bond if its not there between body and mind.

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 Self-Care Activity

1. Take yourself out

2. Go hiking
3. Exercise
4. Eat one of your favorite foods
5. Have sex
6. Buy yourself something youve wanted
7. Bake your favorite meal
8. Look at yourself and tell yourself your beautiful
9. Help someone in need
10. Take a vacation
11. Go out on the town
12. Try something new
13. Listen to your favorite music
14. Enjoy a day to yourself
15. Do something you know makes you happy

I baked my favorite meal. I made a cheesecake, not quite a meal but it is a dish I love to eat and so
happen it is something I love to bake. I bake when I want to get my mind off things or when I want time
to myself I love every minute of it.