Re: Got the book. On the path.

February 20, 2006

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> I've got the book! My therapist gave me a copy of the article in

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> I am on the pain diary assignment – so I'll try and cut myself a

Hey Coolkarma,

I too have been doing therapy, self help, CBT, and more for many

years. I also started doing the pain diary assignment over the

weekend. Part of what moves me to put effort into ACT is the Zen

connection. In the short time I have been working with the book and

following this group I have gone back to meditating every day

sometimes twice. That alone makes a difference that I am not able to

quantify but it's there and I want more of it.

Back to the pain diary. I just started with it so I haven't read the

questions that come after doing the diary for a week but I can see

where just doing the exercise itself is leading me to focus on the

present moment and not keep running away with my thoughts.

Towards the back of the book I read the line, " Building patterns of

effective action. " That sounds like a place I have been wanting to be

for a million years.

Bob

February 21, 2006

<<In the short time I have been working with the book and following

this group I have gone back to meditating every day sometimes twice.

That alone makes a difference that I am not able toquantify but it's

there and I want more of it.>>

's description of Zazen (I peaked at later chapter) is

terrific. Some people think that meditation is about peace and

serenity. Which is cool if that happens to occur, but what's really

powerful is the experience of impermeance that you get first hand.

You just notice the thoughts, body sensations and emotions come and

go like clouds passing in the sky and then you always come back to

THIS present moment.

If I could take that concept of impermeance off of the cushion and

into " life " I'd be in good shape. But you know how it goes ... when

you have a trigger it seems like it's huge and never ending.

<<Back to the pain diary. I just started with it so I haven't read

the questions that come after doing the diary for a week but I can

see where just doing the exercise itself is leading me to focus on

the present moment and not keep running away with my thoughts.>>

The mind-train metaphore on the next page or so is AMAZING. Each

exercise is such a cool way to validate how we are processing

information ... or driving off the road into the ditch!

Good luck on your healing journey.

EarthMother

February 21, 2006