things to try
In this ongoing series of short talks, Andy suggests some things to try. When playing with these ideas, it is good to keep an open mind: an attitude of not knowing what might happen, as if you are new in the world and want to explore it. Then bring your full awareness to the exercise; become sensitive to any sensations, emotions or unusual thoughts that arise in you.
Most of the things to try are simple and suitable for everyone. Later episodes include, occasionally, more advanced exercises. Even if you are a total beginner, you can also try such advanced exercises but they involve a subtlety which might elude you to begin with. There are also a few suggestions regarding lifestyle, which require a more prolonged discipline to explore – these are shown in red.
Don’t expect all of the methods to do something for you. Each of us is a unique bundle of energies, so some things will be useful for one and not for another. If one of the suggestions seems to bring something unusual, deep or magical, into your consciousness, play with it some more. Feel free to change the rules of the game and always remember, there is no “correct result.” Above all, be playful and enjoy these things to try!
You can try these things at random.
You can watch Andy on a couple of YouTube videos, suggesting we Try taking a walk in the woods
or Try floating in the ocean.
You might also like to try the guided meditations and some of the practices suggested in the series on mindfulness.
Photo by Mia.
2020:
try looking up at a tree
2018:
try lifting water
try making space for stillness
2017:
try being compassionate
with yourself
try lying on a hot rock
try comparing sensations
try visualising
the inside of your head
try bringing your awareness
to your centre point
try going for a long walk
try catharsis in the ocean
2016:
try sensing your heartbeat
try feeling the breeze
on your face
try taking the plunge
try bringing the awareness
to the third eye
try sitting by
a mountain stream
try bringing awareness
to tension in the body
2015:
try micro meditation
2014:
try wearing natural fibres
try not wearing underwear
try walking barefoot
try being a pilgrim
2013:
try swimming in the rain
try watching clouds
try sunbathing
try sunbathing on your sides
2012:
try floating face down
2011:
try watching a wild animal
try tossing a coin
to make decisions
try being alone
try riding a bicycle no hands
try sitting with a problem
try going into the mountains
try simplifying your life
try talking less
try eating less
try being vegetarian
try making more eye contact
try playing in the waves
try watching waves breaking
try spending time
by the ocean
try spending time
in the forests
try going into a desert
try lying down in a meadow
try leaning against
a standing stone
try rewarding your mind
try breathing from the belly
try listening to bamboo
try watching a sunset
try watching a sunrise
try looking at the stars
try making love
with eye contact
try gazing into an open fire
2010:
try looking at a dead leaf
try watching a leaf fall
try standing on a tree stump
try kicking through
some fallen leaves
try touching a tree
try floating in the ocean
try watching a river flow
try floating down a river
try jumping from a cliff
try talking to a tree
try baptising yourself
try being naked
try listening to
a babbling brook
try listening to a bird singing