Beth, in answer to your questions, I deal with seasonal affective disorder to varying degrees every winter. I find that meditation does help — it's not the sole answer for me, but in combination and balance with other things, it has proved helpful. My sense is that, in addition to helping to alleviate stress, it exercises a mental "muscle" for me that enables me to stop and step away from a thought. It helps me to see my thoughts as separate from my self, as something I can move away from, as something that may not be helping me at the moment. And it strengthens at least one skill in being able to do something about that. I hope that all makes sense.
Through the philosophy and the practice associated with the type of meditation I do, I have learned to notice when I begin to ruminate and to guide my mind away from that path. This has been liberating, to say the least.
The winter months, however, remain a challenge. It's gotten better for me lately as various family health crises have diminished. I remain very grateful that my sangha is an incredible source of support.
Best to all...I am embarking on a pilgrimage of my own to spend a week hiking in the canyon country of northern Arizona.
I can't post the day so I'm tagging this onto Friday's post, but on Saturday. We all owe Jean thanks for being so faithful here...
Thanks for the responses to my question, mb and bitterroot. I find I do much better when the winter weather is bright, like today - it doesn't seem to be the length of the days for me, but the less-strong light. The best thing for me is to get outside anyway and get moving - I really think walking meditation, whether intentional or not, is one of the best things I can do for myself. And part of that is what you both mention - I know I'm doing something positive for myself that stops the mental looping.
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Beth, in answer to your questions, I deal with seasonal affective disorder to varying degrees every winter. I find that meditation does help — it's not the sole answer for me, but in combination and balance with other things, it has proved helpful. My sense is that, in addition to helping to alleviate stress, it exercises a mental "muscle" for me that enables me to stop and step away from a thought. It helps me to see my thoughts as separate from my self, as something I can move away from, as something that may not be helping me at the moment. And it strengthens at least one skill in being able to do something about that. I hope that all makes sense.
Beth, my experience echoes MB's very closely.
Through the philosophy and the practice associated with the type of meditation I do, I have learned to notice when I begin to ruminate and to guide my mind away from that path. This has been liberating, to say the least.
The winter months, however, remain a challenge. It's gotten better for me lately as various family health crises have diminished. I remain very grateful that my sangha is an incredible source of support.
Best to all...I am embarking on a pilgrimage of my own to spend a week hiking in the canyon country of northern Arizona.
I can't post the day so I'm tagging this onto Friday's post, but on Saturday. We all owe Jean thanks for being so faithful here...
Thanks for the responses to my question, mb and bitterroot. I find I do much better when the winter weather is bright, like today - it doesn't seem to be the length of the days for me, but the less-strong light. The best thing for me is to get outside anyway and get moving - I really think walking meditation, whether intentional or not, is one of the best things I can do for myself. And part of that is what you both mention - I know I'm doing something positive for myself that stops the mental looping.
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