Soften and Flow Question.

[damask-rose]

Dear Fellow Travellers on the AR path,

I'm having a bit of difficulty with the S and F and thought you might be able to help.

When I start to meditate on the symptoms, I become alarmed and fearful, because of all the meanings I have attached to those symptoms - all the dreadful things which my mind connects to them. This has always stopped me doing the S and F much. But I was thinking - is the idea just to sink into the fear itself, even if it is frightening at first and with persistence the fear will go away? Does anyone have that experience?

I've always found that panic starts to arise, but a la Claire Weekes, I suppose that peace lies in going right through the panic to the other side. Is that right? Does anyone find that then the symptoms really do go away?

Many thanks!

[Sylvia]

[i]When I start to meditate on the symptoms, I become alarmed and fearful, because of all the meanings I have attached to those symptoms [/i]


And that I think is exactly why there is Soften and Flow. It is important to feel/believe the symptoms are not dangerous. That you can have them, feel them but not be afraid of them. That they CAN be there and not resisted. It is Claire Weekes also. Reprograming habitual responses yes?

Do whatever your fear more and more. No harm will come of it---I think you know that with your good responses from Ashok's program.

Kindly,
Sylvia

[kenvj]

You've got it right Damask Rose, just sit there and experience these feeling in full with the knowledge that they cannot harm you.

[Recovery Soon]

S & F is really another name for mindfulness meditation, which has been clinically shown to help pain patients significantly deal with their conditions. It's premise is at the heart of buddhist meditation, namely that avoidance of pain causes suffering. By going straight into it you fundamentally change your relationship to it, which makes it more tolerable. Sometimes elimating it. As Gupta states (and many meditation authors before him)..."Whatever you resist persists."

[*Emerald*]

Damask Rose,

Keep on with the good work...

If you were not questioning these reactions then the AR
would not be working for you in my view. So please try to let
go of these feelings of anxiety. They really cant hurt you or
most of us here would be dead already

Facing our demons is very frightening, as is letting
go of what we know..

I had a really rough time learning to overcome the fear and anxiety
but now after 10 months of AR, i am completely at ease with any
symptoms that may occur.

I kept a diary through out my retraining. Now when i read exerpts
from last year i find it hard to believe i suffered so badly with symptoms.
Its almost as if it happened to someone else..

Stay on the right path D.R and let go of your fears..

I promise you, it is worth it..