Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The real vacation is from the mind.

19 comments:

  1. Right now, my real vacation is IN my mind! All I can think about lately is warm, white sand, azure water, and a gentle breeze.

    You are right, though. We can often use a vacation from our minds.

    ReplyDelete
  2. as i told one of my friends who felt sorry for my limited capability to travel: i am ok with it, because i am more interested in landscape of soul. yes, i do feel that the most exciting views is from inside, not outside.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i couldn't agree more. i often lose sleep at night because i just cant stop thinking... about everything... and i end up letting my mind get out of control and making my life seem a lot worse than it actually is. the perfect vacation from your mind is available by taking xanex. i swear, once you take it, you have absolutely no thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. exactly. shutting down the brain from the constant stream of thought is very, very peaceful

    ReplyDelete
  5. The monkey mind goes on and on day and night receiving, analyzing, comparing information from our senses with our memories from the past, even while we sleep.

    The only escape is to learn how to become an observer of your own mind, who can let the thoughts, sounds, visuals, etc. generated by the busy monkey mind that never rests pass through you without "grabbing" on to them. When you grab onto the visuals, thoughts, feelings, etc. being generated your ego tries to manipulate the information to create scenarios that produce specific outcomes, and prevent other outcomes. When it does that it engages the monkey mind to do its will.

    Once you have shifted into planning how to achieve or avoid a specific outcome you shift the monkey mind into high gear because you have selected in advance what your emotional responses will be to the specific outcomes you imagine.

    Learning deep breathing and learning how to meditate will provide the only means of taking an emotional and mental vacation from the machinations of the monkey mind. No other technique will do that for you. And, no matter how far you travel physically your monkey mind will not be vacationing. Traveling provokes more sensory input - new sensory input that the monkey mind will begin to analyze. This is the human reality.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hmnmnn, I just left this comment and lost it! Marty, this one really hits home as my mind often keeps me awake when it goes into overdrive. However, the happy news is that I find meditation to be an excellent 'vacation guide.' (smile).

    ReplyDelete
  7. Or . . . FOR the mind. Mine could use a break right about now!
    in medias res

    ReplyDelete
  8. What "comes and goes," eventually "goes..." (But will it be back for, "tea tomorrow?")

    ReplyDelete
  9. Not having had a lot of funds available throughout our family life for travel, the importance of finding escape through alternate modes was (and is still) very important. Engaging the mind in something completely different than what it normally is attentive to will often provide a re-born or renewed spirit. I escape into photography and poetry, and leave the daily stresses behind.

    ReplyDelete
  10. With a stable mind and a good imagination, you can travel to many magical places! It's a great way to escape but without hurting yourself or others!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can totally attest to the truth of this. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. OH MY GOD.....that is so true, you cant imagine how much that aphorism came at the perfect time.....i would love to take a break from my mind...

    ReplyDelete
  13. This insight made me grin. The monkeys of the mind don't like to take their naps now do they? :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is my favorite of all your aphorisms I missed during my travels. Where's that on/off switch for the mind?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mine will finally be able to rest in a week for 50 days!!! Imagine the places my mind can travel!? Can I make a visit!??

    Kisses!

    ReplyDelete
  16. For me to achieve serenity, I have to leave 'self' well alone. me and the 'crows' don't make for a good party!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh very true, you may be in Boracay and can't appreciate the place because in your mind is a deadline that should be done.
    It is better to be in your office finishing a deadline and thinking of a vacation after.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm dreaming about going away on vacation and came across one of my all time favorite aphorisms of yours and of course blink, blink, whir, whir, the brain goes off in a creative explosion. I hope you like what it inspired at my blog tomorrow, Jan 19.

    ReplyDelete