Looking for a way

[Deborah1]

Hi

I have recently completed a mindfulness course. Because of the up and down of anxiety I can't say I feel a great benefit but I think it's worth my continuing. The course was very good and used the book, Finding peace in a frantic world. However I used the headspace meditation app which I think is very limited for my needs. I've ordered the book and intend to meditate as suggested.

I feel I have little choice. I take appropriate medication and live a balanced life but in recent month my anxiety has become worse.

I don't know if this will help but I don't think it can have a negative effect.

Deb

[alexcr87]

Hi Deborah,

As we wait for the contribution of the more skillful meditators of the forum, here is my two cents : with meditation you have to aim for the long term. You probably won't notice but small changes at first, but if you continue to meditate some day you'll look back and realize that all the little changes have added up, up to a point where your life has taken another turn. In managing anxiety, in think it's a wise thing to "live a balanced life" as you mention, and not focus on meditation alone especially if your anxiety is severe. I recall from a recent discussion in this forum that starting to meditate while in a depressed mood is more difficult, and I assume that applies as well to anxiety. But certainly not impossible, nor useless.

That being said, congratulation for your commitment to meditation and don't hesitate if you have any particular question.

Alex

PS. When you say "I feel I have little choice", are you talking about books or ressources about meditation? If so, allow me a suggestion in the form of a book (and I think other members of this forum would agree) : Jon Kabat-Zinn - Wherever You Go, There You Are. This book moved me a lot last summer when I read it. It's one of those books, in my humble opinion, that you put on your "to read again later" list as soon as you finish it. Oh and also, at about the same time I discovered yoga and I found it a wonderful complementary practice to meditation. And I also run, it helps a lot for anxiety!

[JonW]

Great post, alexcr87. Excellent advice.
Please feel free to stick around the forum, Deborah1, and ask any questions that arise.
All good things,
Jon

[Deborah1]

Thank you both for your answers. By no other choice I mean that I take medication, live a balanced life and do what I can to help myself. Unfortunately though for some months I've been struggling with anxiety. I believe that I have to work at mindfulness in the hope it helps I am aware it might not make a difference but given the whole idea is that it's non striving I have nothing to lose.

[JonW]

Hi Deborah1.
What does your weekly practice consist of?
Best,
Jon

[Deborah1]

Hi Jon

Over the 8 week course I have been using the headspace app which built up to 10. mins a day. However I have realised that it is inappropriate for me. At day 11 of the anxiety course I was supposed to be well on the way to embracing my anxiety. Also. as is typical in chronic anxiety it varies in intensity fairly regularly.

I ordered MFPIAFW and am collecting it today. I plan to meditate later in the day as mornings are my worst time. Having done this course, albeit not using the right materials, I think it's what I need. I want to do it without looking for an end result. That would put pressure on me.

I also carried out mindful activities and that was going well. However due to an upset in life I found it too hard.

This won't be easy for me but given mindfulness is non striving I can't fail. Is that right?

Deb

[JonW]

'This won't be easy for me but given mindfulness is non striving I can't fail. Is that right?'

That is right.
I'm not a fan of Headspace. Finding Peace In A Frantic World is how I started though I was lucky enough to find a local teacher when I was a few weeks into the FWIAFW course. It was the experience of a 'live' group course that gave me the grounding in the practice that I sorely needed.
I like Finding Peace as a course but I feel it does skimp on the body scans which, in my opinion, are as essential as the sitting/breathing meditations. Body awareness is just as important here as awareness of thoughts.
Pretty much my whole life was lived anxiously (with long periods of crushing depression) until I found mindfulness. Six years on from my first meditation, I can barely recognise the old me.
Practice. Patience. Self-compassion. Those are the three vital ingredients.
Again, please don't hesitate to ask any questions that arise. We'll do our best to answer them here on the forum.
All good things,
Jon

[Deborah1]

A few years ago I did an 8 week mindfulness course but like many people with depression or anxiety I was looking for a cure and so quickly gave it up. My outlook now is radically different and the three requirements you mention make absolute sense, thank you
Deb

[Deborah1]

My mind would love to trip me up and that's where I need to use my rational mind.

I've started on the meditation from just last Thursday when I got the book. Because I know someone from my course who is already seeing benefits, and I'm aware a small percentage of people do benefit quickly, I. am suddenly obsessing over it - looking for results. As I write this I know that's not how it tends to go. When I first woke up I actually thought it would be less upsetting if I simply didn't try it. Of course this isn't the way

Last week I was very able to tell myself that mindful meditation was a way of life not a cure. So I must stick with it and tel myself it's. ok to feel this way.

Actually this thinking is totally in keeping with my anxiety. It's job is to sabotage positives.

Any helpful comments would be most welcome

Deb

[Gareth]

Like you say - a way of life, not a cure.

Make friends with your anxiety. Check out this blog:

https://www.everyday-mindfulness.org/ma ... y-anxiety/