Just One Thing - change your brain by the way you use it

[Steve]

Sounds good. 29dec better for me than 5 Jan
Steve

[Steve]

Don't forget to put this book on your Xmas list (or find some other way of getting your hands on one by 29 Dec). I've just downloaded it onto my Kobo (they offered me a 90% discount to entice me back so it cos me 74p! Probably the best value book this year (and next)) I've read the intro but am resisting reading the first chapter until 29 Dec.

As I'm also subscribed to the Just One Thing (JOT) newsletter, I 've just been sent lots of useful links by Rick Hanson. One of these is a link to videos on each chapter http://justoneminute.net/archive/ so we're not going to be short of material!

Several people have already expressed interest in this topic so we should have lots of input/viewpoints/experiences to share.

Steve

[FeeHutch]

Wow so we can fill in a daily sheet and access weekly videos too if we want, brilliant!

I am feeling very excited about this coming year

[Metaphysical Me]

Hmm, so my copy of "JOT" finally arrived in the mail yesterday, yay!

Reading the first week's topic, it strikes me as a bit "much" stuff, given the title (Just One Thing). The amount of instructions and things to look out for and do, I mean.

I would have hoped that it was more "focused" (for want of a better word). Not like a list of do a), b), c), d) and e)...

Hmm, dunno. Maybe that's just my personal first impression.

I suppose it's good that he's written some stuff for the topic - else it'd be too little, haha but still... Not quite the concise, focused pointers that I would have hoped for.

[betty.etal]

I'm new here and keen to join in with this. Thanks for the opportunity. :0)

[Steve]

Hi Betty

You're very welcome to join us. I really find it useful hearing other people's experiences and thoughts on the weekly 'tasks' (and everyone's input whether they are new to mindfulness or have practiced for some time, is equally helpful).

I'm looking forward to starting the book.

Steve

[Steve]

Janey

I think you're right, the JOT book may include a bit more discussion in the chapters than 'How to train an Elephant' and, of course, it looks like we can also access other resources on each chapter on Rick Hanson's website. From what I have seen of Rick Hanson's other books (which I think you said you have too), I expect he may also refer to the 3 or 4 steps he recommends to maximise the use of our positive thoughts to re-enforce the effect of this on the brain. His other books refer to the HEAL steps: Have a good experience, Enrich it, Absorb it and (optionally) Link it.

It will be interesting to see how our weekly practice develops. Although there is more material, everyone can, of course, choose how to use this in a manner that best suits them. Some may just use the weekly topic as the focus of their 'everyday' mindfuless practice (much as we have with 'How to train an elephant'), others may enjoy following Rick Hanson's further guidance and using the other material. Some may enjoy using the HEAL steps with each topic, others may decide not to.

I'm not sure what approach I will take. I enjoy being curious and more and more I am learning from the experiences of others or just find adding their thoughts to the mix beneficial. I am resisting reading the first chapter until 29 Dec so I can take the journey as it comes and as it develops with those sharing the journey.

Steve

[Metaphysical Me]

Hi Steve,

Yeah, I've gotten over my initial disappointment

I guess I'd have preferred there to be a more elegant way for Hanson to a) focus on the week's central task while b) adding some variations and pointers, in case they are needed. That would have resonated more nicely - especially with the book's title!

But, it is what it is. And I've decided to just treat the weekly instructions as "notes" that I'll just skim and pick out what seems helpful and ignore the rest.

Yeah, I assume that there will be some of his H.E.A.L. work in the book too.

I'm certainly already mulling over what it means to "be on my side" / "be for myself", which is the task for week 1.

I've certainly been taught that that equates to "selfishness" (which is obviously not true). Also, as a girl I received the typical female conditioning that you are meant to "put yourself last" and "put everyone else's needs first". Ugh!!

I love what Gloria Steinem says about this: "Especially women need to learn that the Golden Rule works only if it's reversible: We must learn to treat ourselves as well as we wish to treat others."

A big task!

I think it's great to be "for yourself" without becoming selfish. I admire that in others, when they are able to do it, and hope that I will be able to do more and better in this too.

XXX Janey

[betty.etal]

Steve - thank you! I'm looking forward to being a part of this. It's always nice to be able to share learnings, observations and challenges when working with a new practice.

Janey - loved that quotation you shared. I need to remember that!

Betty

[FeeHutch]

I'm looking forward to getting started two.

We realised that we have another week after this week of elephant training left and as it is a busy time of year for many, my suggestion is waiting until Sunday January 5th to start week one rather than try and finish off one book and start the next together.

Any thoughts?