FPIAFW - Week 1: Waking Up to the Autopilot

[Kukurijek]

I just finished week one - but have not read the next chapter and have a full day of work tomorrow so I'll just redo week one next week instead of missing a step. I found flossing and shaving to be easier mindful activities than brushing, for what its worth. My biggest issue with meditations is making judgements too quickly about how things are going.

Mind is a scary machine - I understand ruminating about important things but half the time I am thinking about pure nonsense or about extremely trivial things (friend's recent Instagram post, for example).

[Gareth]

making judgements too quickly about how things are going.

Judging is one of the things that the mind does. It's job if you like. Mindfulness asks nothing more than noticing that you are judging.

[JonW]

'Mindfulness asks nothing more than noticing that you are judging.'

Exactly this.

[Oldmanskateclub]

Hi all,

Just started the book and just wanted to see if I’m doing what is recommended with regards to the meditations. Am I supposed to be following along with the guided meditation twice a day, or should I do the guided meditation once and then do it in my head after that?

Asking for a friend

Douglas

[JonW]

Hi Douglas,
Welcome to the forum.
My answer to that would be: whatever you are comfortable with.
There is no strict obligation to use the guided meditations at all but they can be very useful in terms of grounding you in the practice. In the longer body scans especially, most people find it challenging without guidance. After years of meditation practice, I still use guidance for body scans and for a few other meditations.
Generally speaking, and speaking as a teacher, I'd advise people to stick with the guidance as much as possible for the duration of the course and, once the eight weeks are over, decide which meditations you need some guidance with.
Best wishes,
Jon

[Oldmanskateclub]

Hi Jon,

Thanks very much for your advice. We've been listening along as you suggested. Up to week four now!

Thanks,
Douglas.