Posted by rabble_rouser on July 1, 2005, at 11:00:43
In reply to Re: Anger - from withdrawal? » rabble_rouser, posted by Shortelise on June 30, 2005, at 13:26:38
Hello shortE,
I can well understand where you are coming from on the crankiness - its a major pain in the a*s! Just when you wanna reach out and let someone help you, instead you feel like punching them on the nose ... :( My mum has bought the t-shirt on that one ...
Re the meditation. Are you having real trouble relaxing? I found that at first - its really tough to stop all the thoughts flying round your head. The moment you close your eyes, BANG there they are.
I find that, to relax, you begin by 'becoming aware' of your body. Its difficult to put into words so try an exercise.
Try this right now - think about your right hand. Be aware of how it feels. Feel its weight. Let it go limp. Now try the fingers. The index. The middle. The pinkie. Maybe they will begin to feel warm. Now try your forearm - just let it go limp, just be aware of how it feels.
Try sitting in a chair, with open body posture (no crossed legs or arms). Now, start to apply this awareness / relaxation to your whole body. Your arms. Your shoulders. Let it flow all over, and as you do become aware of any tension in your body (usually shoulders or hands/fingers). Let it all go loose, and move on.
Once you feel relaxed, become aware of your breathing. Its an unusual sensation - its all so automatic, but now it seems like you are more connected to it. Count your in and out breaths up to 4 each time. Do this for a few minutes and notice how relaxed you are becoming. If a thought pops into your head and makes you tense, just let it ride through your mind like a train through a station. Feel the emotion, dont try to control it - just let it roll on by. Maybe there's someone you really dislike in the window. Wave em on by. Flip em the bird with a could-care-less smile. If it comes, let the anger or the frustration rise in you. It will reach a peak - but then it will begin to subside. It will pass.
You may want to imagine a relaxing scene like a beach, or a forest, or perhaps a waterfall. See all the shades of light on the water. Hear the birds and surroundings. Smell the grass - completely immerse yourself in the surroundings.
Let yourself stay here in this wonderfully relaxing place for as long as you wish. If a thought pops into your head and makes you tense or angry, just let it ride through your mind like that train through a station. Feel it, let it rise, and let it pass. You can once again become aware of your breathing. Enjoy this place for as long as you want to.If and when you want to come around, you can jtake a few deeper breaths. Open your eyes and take a stretch. Breathe out one big breath, and become aware of your surroundings. Notice how much better you feel?
I like to do this 3 or 4 times a day, using different visualisations, especially when I am angry or upset. Suddenly the world just seems a different place.
Yes I'm a hippy!
Hope it helps.
Blue skies
Ross
poster:rabble_rouser
thread:521384
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050611/msgs/521918.html