“Learn to slow down. Get lost intentionally. Observe how you judge both yourself and those around you.” – Tim Ferriss, American entrepreneur
Day 171 AF.
Hello again. Here I am, working on the 22nd of the intended 52 weekly blog posts for my Recovery journey photography project. I have been uncertain as to a topic that most resonates with me this week, with many ideas that deserve wider and deeper consideration than can be served in a single-page post. The ideas of "self and ego", of a "higher power", or "addiction and neuroscience", have been on my mind, but are all above my level of expertise and I am a constant student in these areas with no intent to teach or preach.
After some contemplation, a session with my counselor, and some incidents triggering "judgment" about myself and others, I've decided to return to the practice of meditation. Some of my readings this week have mentioned meditation, and conversations with others have involved the idea of meditation, reminding me of my positive past experience with meditation.
I began a practice of daily meditation back in the summer of 2020, perhaps spurred by lockdown anxieties, and found it to be a calming activity that worked well with other healthy habits I was maintaining at that time (exercise, mindfulness, healthy eating, sobriety). Just like I let a dedicated physical fitness routine fall to the wayside, I also let the meditation routine drop. A chicken and egg concept here: did my lack of healthy habits leave me vulnerable to alcohol relapses, or did my repeated relapses make it difficult to return to my healthy habits? Whatever the reason, insobriety is a dead end!
I have referred to the act of mindfulness, the awareness of my thoughts and feelings at the moment, as being a basis for my success in resolving triggers and moods that have been points of failure in my past relapses. I believe that going beyond mindfulness and engaging in meditation with intention will provide another solid pillar of support for my sobriety. I have the time and I have the will. I am going to examine my daily structure of healthy routines and make meditation a daily priority. Likely, I will perform it first thing in the morning, before caffeine and activities spin me up. This means replacing and postponing my usual morning activities to another time, but a change in my routine, and a willingness and acceptance of change will be refreshing.
The intention for my meditation will likely be based on a gratitude or a concern, or even just nothing at all, letting the stream flow, letting peace reign for a time. My meditation will be short, with five minutes to start, using my phone as a timer, and extending the time as I desire. My meditation will be silent, perhaps simply breathing or a body scan, calling myself back to my center when I catch my mind wandering, distracted by thoughts beyond my intention. I do not do well with guided meditations as I find myself anticipating the "guiding" voice, wondering when the next instruction will come and what it will be. Even soft music tends to distract me.
Intentional meditation will now be part of my "inventory". I'll let you know how it goes.
If my writings in this photography project can benefit anyone in their recovery, I am proud to be of service!
Staying mindful and strong!
instagram.com/bobd.photography
#Recovery52 #recovery #sobriety #soberphotography #addictionrecovery #smartrecovery #photography #photographyproject #photoproject
A resource I liked on this topic. An internet search on "intentional meditation" provided numerous links, but too many of them were clearly selling a program, displaying "offers" in return for your email name, before showing you any substance. I won't steer anyone to a sales pitch.
https://melliobrien.com/morning-intention-setting-meditation/