Guest guest Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 What a compelling and inspiring post . Thanks for sharing! What a perfect way to start my day and may I keep your words in my heart today as I learn from them. For others on this ACT listserv - what can you learn from this and take with you and bring into your own life? How have you seen ACT serving you? Blessings! Values + Committed Action = JOY!!! The Benefits of ACT Posted by: " " experiential2012@... experiential2012 Wed Feb 8, 2012 12:48 am (PST) My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/ meaning). How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...' Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing. The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection' . I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 ACT has saved my life, what's left of it. Today I'm showing up for myself and others more, and every day a bit more. And it's not about anything to do with being good, looking good. It's really about saying yes to having been born, to being here. I spent most of my life saying no, get me the hell out-- in one way or another. Running, hiding, fighting what is so and not so. (thanks to for keeping the words simple). I still do this but less and the nos are nos from a clean place, no's i can stand in fully and then move on. I have a student I'm tutoring through an adult literacy program. The truth is I don't know what the heck I'm doing a good deal of the time. But she's there, anxious and depressed and wanting her citizenship, wanting to be there with her children speaking English more, wanting to contribute, wanting belong. I can't even imagine the courage it would take to show up for that. She teaches me a lot. That's something I can relate to deeply, that wanting to belong in a meaningful way, not knowing really how to start. I plan to stretch the confines of the quiet library room and our notes and with her willingness take her on a little field trip across the street so we can ask merchants questions and speak in English in real time. She has next to none of this in her world. I'm a bit nervous and that's mostly about being more real and intimate with her. Before ACT this would have never occurred to me, to do what my gut is telling me, even if it's unusual or may look silly and I have no blueprint. And I wouldn't have seen the options before me, which appear to keep multiplying. To keep honed in on my values like my life depends on it, but also from a defused, observing, loving, gentle place. Today I'm more willing to go to any lengths..well, greater lengths anyway. Interesting lengths. Surprising lengths. Loving lengths. Anyway, thanks Lou and thanks for asking. Kind regards to all, terry > > What a compelling and inspiring post . Thanks for sharing! > What a perfect way to start my day and may I keep your words in my heart today as I learn from them. > For others on this ACT listserv - what can you learn from this and take with you and bring into your own life? How have you seen ACT serving you? > > Blessings! > > > Values + Committed Action = JOY!!! > > > > The Benefits of ACT > Posted by: " " experiential2012@... experiential2012 > Wed Feb 8, 2012 12:48 am (PST) > > My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/ meaning). > > How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...' > > Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing. > > The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection' . I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. > > Lou > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 oh, and fwiw, I enjoy music like this Simon love song full on now. I hear the drizzle of the rain Like a memory it falls Soft and warm continuing Tapping on my roof and walls. And from the shelter of my mind Through the window of my eyes I gaze beyond the rain-drenched streets To England where my heart lies. My mind's distracted and diffused My thoughts are many miles away They lie with you when you're asleep And kiss you when you start your day. And a song I was writing is left undone I don't know why I spend my time Writing songs I can't believe With words that tear and strain to rhyme. And so you see I have come to doubt All that I once held as true I stand alone without beliefs The only truth I know is you. And as I watch the drops of rain Weave their weary paths and die I know that I am like the rain There but for the grace of you go I. -- Simon > > > > What a compelling and inspiring post . Thanks for sharing! > > What a perfect way to start my day and may I keep your words in my heart today as I learn from them. > > For others on this ACT listserv - what can you learn from this and take with you and bring into your own life? How have you seen ACT serving you? > > > > Blessings! > > > > > > Values + Committed Action = JOY!!! > > > > > > > > The Benefits of ACT > > Posted by: " " experiential2012@ experiential2012 > > Wed Feb 8, 2012 12:48 am (PST) > > > > My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/ meaning). > > > > How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...' > > > > Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing. > > > > The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection' . I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. > > > > Lou > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2012 Report Share Posted February 8, 2012 They're not all recent arrivals but in any case it's a true gift that I even have the opportunity. I've squandered many opportunities in my life. And given the choice, it's mostly much better to stand there and see what shows up than to fight, hide, run. You don't know until you show up and stay showing up. I haven't done this much in my life. Mostly started a lot of stuff and didn't finish too much. And there's another piece to this..my student isn't really cooperating fully and the ambivalence is palpable..the desire to cut and run --I know it so well. So I've had to look at what part I played in this and come back to the table and see about that, about removing all of whatever I've been putting out there from my side and stand with the ambivalence and fear so at the very least my student can have whatever is there more fully too. So, I really don't know if it's going to " work out " this time..it may not be her time. And that's really okay. There are others for whom perhaps it is. There is a list out there, a damn long one, folks waiting a year or more to learn a bit of English. So I go back tomorrow to see and take it from there. But it's SO friggin good to count on me to show up for us for once in my life. ACT after a while..It's a lot like going with the flow, this getting out of my mind and into my natural way. Don't you agree? I've been spending too much on youtube tonight. This is Simon in a rare clip standing in his voice, finding the song that would be: " Only Living Boy in New York " . He changed the lyric from " Half of my life is gone and I don't know where " to " Half of the time we're gone and we don't know where " . Same difference though. Sorry for the Simon overdose--I'm a sucker for the musician. > > > > What a compelling and inspiring post . Thanks for sharing! > > What a perfect way to start my day and may I keep your words in my heart today as I learn from them. > > For others on this ACT listserv - what can you learn from this and take with you and bring into your own life? How have you seen ACT serving you? > > > > Blessings! > > > > > > Values + Committed Action = JOY!!! > > > > > > > > The Benefits of ACT > > Posted by: " " experiential2012@ experiential2012 > > Wed Feb 8, 2012 12:48 am (PST) > > > > My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/ meaning). > > > > How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...' > > > > Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing. > > > > The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection' . I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. > > > > Lou > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2012 Report Share Posted February 9, 2012 >>I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. Yes, I know that experience. It happened to me while I was chatting with the 89-year-old woman on the street last week. It's great to be able to be present for moments like that. When you think of it, that's all we have: Moments strung together in this thing called life. You are far more articulate than I am, Lou, on the processes of ACT. I don't know that I could lay it out as well as you have here. It's a great reminder for me to not get too lazy and to keep the process in mind at all times, lest I forget and fall back into old ways. It's a balancing act - balancing the study of ACT with the doing of ACT. Helena To: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 3:48:28 AMSubject: The Benefits of ACT My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/meaning). How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...'Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing.The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection'. I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 I don't see any hypocrisy in that, Lou. I see honesty and commitment and a desire for growth and insightful recognition of imperfections. Carry on; you're doing great! Helena To: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2012 10:36:53 PMSubject: Re: The Benefits of ACT Just because I can summarise my experience doesn't mean I live that 24-7. Just because I don't live that experience 24-7 doesn't mean I can't summarise it. I can see the hypocrisy ok. Working with that....I'm going on....> > >> > > > > > > > > My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/meaning). > > > > > > How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...'> > > > > > Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing.> > > > > > The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection'. I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. > > > > > > Lou> > >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 " I can see the hypocrisy... " That's judging. I've believed all along that the 'goal' in the doing ACT is psychological flexibility. But if you're doing something 24/7, how flexible can you be? Thanks for sharing your experience. Van wrote: Just because I can summarise my experience doesn't mean I live that 24-7. Just because I don't live that experience 24-7 doesn't mean I can't summarise it. I can see the hypocrisy ok. Working with that....I'm going on.... > > > > > > > > > > > > My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/meaning). > > > > > > How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...' > > > > > > Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing. > > > > > > The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection'. I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. > > > > > > Lou > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Hi there, This you being honest as to why you posted your summary is now creating an opening for me today to look at what i expect from this forum and where i need to accept more. I wonder what it's like to just say it was about keeping a record for yourself. Now I get to accept that other people use this forum, post things in the manner they choose for all kinds of reasons, purposes that it appears I hadn't been fully accepting till now. There is more around I'll need to sit with and look at. But anyway, thanks. A thousand thanks. I don't know until you say why or for what reasons you're posting here. I don't know why anyone would not say. It seems fundamental to this community IMHO. Best to you on your journey from another who cherishes the still point, terry > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > My practice of ACT has improved over time and recently I have been experiencing a transformation. Thanks to the lessons on `showing up', I can consciously engage with my everyday. All of the lessons have served their purpose; mindfulness (deliciously expanding), meditation (the journey), separating the experience of thoughts, sensations and feelings from one another (expands awareness), being present and living in the now (adds perspective/meaning). > > > > > > > > > > How does all that translate to benefits you may ask. In a mind chronically caught up in belief of the chatter, even shadows become real. It's not easy to drive the bus blindfolded (so to speak). The lessons of `showing up' serve to pull me out of this circle of unquestioned belief of my minds radio by providing the tools to first identify being stuck and where and second, how to `...be with that...' > > > > > > > > > > Of course there is another component of `showing up', namely, the `observing self'. The `chessboard' analogy is simple so it works very well as an introduction. The `younger self' exercise (a personal favourite), moves you through time, providing a window of who you were/have been/am now and have always been. The view of turning the lights up and down on the stage was also useful for developing the distance needed to be conscious of viewing. > > > > > > > > > > The benefits of working with these lessons are best illustrated by example...I stand opposite another person. The expression is one of pain but the eyes are full of grit and determination (we are at the gym :-). I become entranced by the movement and the story I was watching. Within a single moment I sat within the pain and passion inside the eyes and I felt `connection'. I think the word (connection) is too simple, what I experienced was a `joining'. I felt myself there in that moment observing and the essence of what I saw. > > > > > > > > > > Lou > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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