Mindfulness

1. Dr. Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as paying attention on purpose in the present moment judgmentally as if your life depended on it. 

2. According to Dr. Kabat-Zinn, our lives depend on mindfulness because when we pay attention, it allows us to be in control of our own lives Also, it helps us know what is going on in the outside world and with our bodies. When we know what is going on we are able to find ways to be in wiser relationships with the things going on n our lives rather than dealing with our fears and emotions. 

3. It does not matter what thing or things you pay attention to. It is the attending that is most important.  The present is when we can be in our own body fully listen to what is around us. Being in the moment is all that matters, not the thing you are paying attention to. 

4. Mindfulness is not a technique it is just opening your mind to anything and paying attention. It is a way of being in equilibrium with the outer world and the ups and downs of having a body. We have the potential to be aware and we should take advantage of it. The problem is that our in our own head and thinking to where we believe our own thoughts. If we pay attention to the present, we can see the truth clearly in the outside world.

1. Andy suggests that we take 10 minutes a day to do absolutely nothing. Also, to step back and familiarize yourself with the present moment so you can be calm and focused. 

2. According to the Harvard study cited by Andy, 47 percent of the time our minds are lost in thoughts.

3. I think no, because it is like Andy said, it is taking a step back and seeing these thoughts and feelings clearly. You can acknowledge these thoughts and feelings but then get back to what makes your present. I like to think of my thoughts and feelings like clouds passing. I got that from you in class and i really enjoy that mindset. It is like problems are passing me by and i feel relaxed and focus.

4. Andy juggling the balls relates to our balancing the sticks activity because Andy was not focusing on the balls, he was focusing on the audience. At first, when i got the stick i was focused on the stick, but when you told us to focus on something else, it got a lot easier and i was able to walk across the floor while balancing it. Andy focused on something else other than juggling and he easily juggled and when i focused on something else I was able to balance the stick. Being focused allows you to relax.

I found while doing the exercise that i was very relaxed and present. I did it with the TV on to see if it would distract me and once i finally felt relaxed i only heard my breathing. I acknowledged the TV at times, but i was able to get back to center. I find it that some thoughts were hard to just let pass by. Why is that? I guess maybe they were just to meaningful to let pass by during my meditation. It was tough to get rid of a few, but overall i had a really good experience and i felt relaxed and present. 

I also want to talk about the blindfold exercise. I said in class that i felt more alive and present because I had no idea where i was going, but the thought of not knowing was kind of exciting. I feel like we should be thinking this way even when we do not have a blindfold. We need to be present and in a state of readiness because you never know what can happen. i thought this was a great exercise and i had to develop a level of trust with my partner. When i was not blindfolded, I had to pay attention and be present with my partner and the outside world, because i had to make sure they did not get hurt or run into anything. I had to guide my partner and it required being present and in a state of readiness. 

Presence and the three circles of energy

1. Patsy defines presence as being connected with the world around you. It is being engaged with anyone you are with and actually listening to them, in which a level of intimacy is achieved. It is when you are curious and ask questions about something. This means that something grabbed your attention therefore you are engaged.

2. Presence can be lost when the other person is not present with you. A person might try to be the life of the party or they could sit around and not talk to anyone. When present, you could either help move this person into second circle, or they could move you into first or third, which means you lose presence. The challenge is to stay present when an obstacle is thrown in your way. If someone tries to ruin your day, it is tough to ignore it, but i do not think you would be present if you didn't. Like you said in class, you can acknowledge it but then go back to the place that centers you and connects you to the world. All of the sudden, you have regained presence. Sometimes people let this person ruin our day and we lose presence. I have let someone ruin my day before, and it is easier said than done to regain presence, but you learn more about yourself from the experience.

3. First circle is when you are quiet, shy, and disconnected from people. These people are present with themselves and no one else. They put up a wall to protect themselves from other people. There have been many times where i have been that guy at a party or event with friends and i felt a lone, scared, and had no motivation or desire to meet or talk to people. It is unhealthy and you could lose friends due to the constant negative energy being displayed. Digging out of the first circle is tough, but in my case it took someone to be present with me that i started to become present as well. I then saw life from a different perspective and was excited for the opportunities to meet new people. I understand being in first circle because you do not want to leave yourself open to getting hurt. You do get hurt when you open yourself, it happens to everyone, but from there you choose to regain your presence and learn or crawl back into the first circle hole.

4. Third circle is when you are overly energized and not really concerned about other people. It is more of a fake presence just so people hear or see you. I am guilty of being in the third circle at times. I have been the person who is loud and excessive at times, and people definitely saw it as annoying and as if i was trying to be the center of attention. At the times yes I was, i wanted to be noticed and i was in that awkward state in which i did not know how to do that. I quickly figured out that was not the way to go about it, and today i am not an attention seeker. At the time, i was trying to be someone i'm not.

5. Second circle is being fully engaged with another person, listening to them, and caring about what they have to say. For me, it was a specific person that made me feel fully engaged and helped me become present. I wanted to listen to everything she had to say because she made me feel important with her presence. I started to become comfortable and found myself being open with her and other people. It was scary at first, but i felt alive. I remember being in second circle with this person when i was rehearsing with her. Nobody was hiding from the other and it was constant back and forth talking about something and then something else would come up out of that conversation that would start a whole other conversation. Before you know it, we were just laughing about random things and got to know the other. I remember feeling vulnerable, but excited and comfortable at the same time. I feel like this experience has allowed me to be more open with people and has lead me to meet some wonderful people as well.

THTR 1029 Blog Entry 1

1. I am taking this class because It is required for my major, but I also want to learn to use my body more effectively on stage. Also, i want to learn how to focus and be in tune with my breathe

2. I am a double major in kinesiology: sports studies and Theatre with a concentration in Performance

3. I would say i am a little bit of both. I am sometimes outgoing and sometimes very quiet.

4. I am interested in acting and musical theatre. Other than that i coach basketball for a high school and i like that as well.

5. I think presence is being visible in any setting, but you have to make yourself visible and talk to people and listen to what other people have to say. It is tuning in to the other. I think at points i am present and then i get distracted.

6. I feel like i have not utilized my body enough. I want my body to get stronger and flexible to where i feel comfortable moving.

7. Well I have played a lot of sports and i am confident in the fact that i can move fast and that is what i most proud of. I want to slow down my movements though and have clear movements if that makes sense.

8. I am not really self-conscious. I like to be moving all the time. I do not like to sit around for long periods of time.

9. I hope to be more in touch with my breath and my body. I want to be flexible and challenged. For me, i learn when i am given a challenge.

10. To be honest I am not sure. I wanted to be a coach, but now i have a passion and love for theatre. I can't say exactly where i will be in five or ten years, but i know I will be happy and doing what i love.