What immediately struck my senses with the photo is that they are children of God. Confirming to me that no matter how old we are in age and in appearance the realization is to not hurry growing up. We must flashback and dig up that lost sense of peace and joy that we took for granted as little children no matter how temporary it may have been. God bless.
Well, there are two things I find fun and restorative on long subway commutes.
First, a good book. One year, I plowed through the whole LBJ set; now I'm waiting for Robert Caro to finish up already. Another year, some good biographies of Charles Darwin, John D. Rockefeller, and so on. Interesting stuff.
Second, a word game. I don't know what it's called, but over half a century ago, my mother taught me to take a word from a subway sign -- say, "education," from some community college advertisement -- and see how many words you can make from it. Has to be three or more letters, no proper nouns, no slang, and no repeating of letters you've used already. Depending on the word, you can find thirty and forty words: cat, cut, cute, nit, net, not, note, dot, dote, date, cad, tad, toad, duct, din, dine dint, den, dent, tan, ten, tin, tine, ton, tone, don, done, cone, can, cane . . . .
First, a good book. One year, I plowed through the whole LBJ set; now I'm waiting for Robert Caro to finish up already. Another year, some good biographies of Charles Darwin, John D. Rockefeller, and so on. Interesting stuff.
Second, a word game. I don't know what it's called, but over half a century ago, my mother taught me to take a word from a subway sign -- say, "education," from some community college advertisement -- and see how many words you can make from it. Has to be three or more letters, no proper nouns, no slang, and no repeating of letters you've used already. Depending on the word, you can find thirty and forty words: cat, cut, cute, nit, net, not, note, dot, dote, date, cad, tad, toad, duct, din, dine dint, den, dent, tan, ten, tin, tine, ton, tone, don, done, cone, can, cane . . . .
2
The commute doesn't have to be so stressful??? ... Well then, take another look at that photo. See anything different???
Yes! They're all sitting down!! --- and it's not even a subway!!!
But thanks for the tips.
Nice try anyway.
Yes! They're all sitting down!! --- and it's not even a subway!!!
But thanks for the tips.
Nice try anyway.
6
I totally engage in people watching, first by trying to guess the age of the people around me (I excel at this carnival trick). Then, I try to create their back story by guessing where they live, what they do for a living and what they're like to work with. Certainly, a lot of stereotypes come into play, but it occupies the mind. Also, because of random attacks that can take place on the subway, these assessments make me hyper aware of who is around me and whether they appear to be "stable."
3
DAYS OF OUR LIES
You're as old as you feel,
I am frequently told,
Which declines to convince
When I'm feeling quite old.
You're as old as you feel,
I am frequently told,
Which declines to convince
When I'm feeling quite old.
2
Subway meditation was a daily practice of mine until I moved out of New York. I practice another form of commuting meditation now. Using the Insight Timer app on my iPhone, I set it for 20 minutes as I start the car. As I drive I recite the Metta Sutta and Heart Sutra from memory and then chant the mantra of the Heart Sutra as I drive for the remainder of the time. It takes less time than that to repeat the mantra 108 times, the number that is said to bless all beings everywhere. My mind is sharp and unencumbered by mental chatter. I see the traffic, the changing leaves on the trees, the landscape, and I miss nothing I need for safe driving. It's safer than listening to the news on the radio, or talking on the phone. And the monkey mind is occupied positively, and for the good of all beings. I arrive at work refreshed and positive.
4
IDIOMATIC DIET
I'm on a wordy diet
And you're invited to try it.
It isn't based on carbo-
hydrates, though good for Garbo,
Or grapefruit or water or yogurt,
All favored by Humphrey Bogurt.
No, this regimen leans on idioms
(You may have seen the videoms)
Which were cultivated at Bellevue,
Where patients with a swell view
Came up with the three-pronged scheme
That works like a charm, like a dream.
The diet--loony hosannas!--
Is nuts & crackers & bananas,
Which you sprinkle on each bite
With low-calorie might.
Nuts--crackers--bananas,
Related to desert mannas;
Crackers--bananas--nuts,
Nutritional kick in the butts;
Bananas--nuts--crackers,
All worth their weight in smackers,
Plus a bonus, the Christmas cute cake
We all avoid, the fruitcake.
Yet our language is quick to ordain.
All four of them as insane!
I'm on a wordy diet
And you're invited to try it.
It isn't based on carbo-
hydrates, though good for Garbo,
Or grapefruit or water or yogurt,
All favored by Humphrey Bogurt.
No, this regimen leans on idioms
(You may have seen the videoms)
Which were cultivated at Bellevue,
Where patients with a swell view
Came up with the three-pronged scheme
That works like a charm, like a dream.
The diet--loony hosannas!--
Is nuts & crackers & bananas,
Which you sprinkle on each bite
With low-calorie might.
Nuts--crackers--bananas,
Related to desert mannas;
Crackers--bananas--nuts,
Nutritional kick in the butts;
Bananas--nuts--crackers,
All worth their weight in smackers,
Plus a bonus, the Christmas cute cake
We all avoid, the fruitcake.
Yet our language is quick to ordain.
All four of them as insane!
1
Meditation is such a wonderful idea. Very essential in our stress laden world. Meditating and silently wishing well the people around you. If this practice is widely applied the results will be astounding.
2
I like that mindfulness and meditation is becoming more mainstream in business. The rise of open minded tech cultures deserves credit for making this socially acceptable in other verticals.
It doesn't take more than 3 - 5 minutes feeling the energy climb up a straight spine to see a benefit for hours. Once the focus is on the same forehead centered pressure point you find yourself rubbing three finger style at the end of a work day .. You've done your job.
It doesn't take more than 3 - 5 minutes feeling the energy climb up a straight spine to see a benefit for hours. Once the focus is on the same forehead centered pressure point you find yourself rubbing three finger style at the end of a work day .. You've done your job.
3
And mind the mirats!!
Great concept if you can keep your eyes closed during your commute to work. Reality speaking, there are subway lines that are too dangerous to shut your eyes for even a moment. Ever try riding the A line in New York. The number of deranged individuals and pole performers make it impossible to shut your eyes for fear of bodily harm. This article may apply to some venues in the United States but not in all of New York's subway trains.
5
It's not that bad, lol. I take the A train every day and meditate with my eyes closed often. It's a great way to distance yourself mentally from "showtime."
4
"Showtime".. Hilarious
Regarding meditation, as you allude to closing eyes is usually required.
Do that on the subway and you'll be lucky if you walk out with only your underwear on.
Do that on the subway and you'll be lucky if you walk out with only your underwear on.
4
Do you ever daydream? The suggestions made here--silently send well wishes to those around you; assess your posture and how you're breathing--can all be done with eyes wide open. It is NOT necessary to close your eyes.
6
I take the subways every day, and my ride is long. I always managed to take a nap(yes!) and de-stress for a awhile. The subways are much safer these days. The only thing that I can't do anything about is the stench from some of the homeless people in the cars (and there are more and more of them everyday.)
1
Sometimes closing your eyes is the only way to avoid meeting other, crazier, people's eyes. As long as you keep your ears open . . . .
1
Meditation is like any other practice. The more you sit with your self you understand how the mind and heart work. The practice can open your heart to the suffering of yourself and others. Regular meditation is the most generous and loving gift to all beings. Just sit.
1
My meditation on trains is just people watching. No training, it's free, no rules.
An addition might be letting your mind wander as you make up fantasy stories of their lives......comedy, serious, far out, etc. One person's meditation is another's creativity.
An addition might be letting your mind wander as you make up fantasy stories of their lives......comedy, serious, far out, etc. One person's meditation is another's creativity.
6
The key for meditation and all peaceful wanderings in NYC can be summed up in ine word--earplugs. Do it. You'll feel like a yogi master. ;)
2
Have you ever ridden the 4/5/6 trains? How do I meditate on those trains? Please explain.
4
Yes, meditating on the subway while some thug picks your pocket... Just sayin'
5
Tune of "The Trolley Song"
With my battered briefcase and my well-pressed suit
I walked toward the station for the train
I heard some indication, that trying meditation
Could be good for my brain
As I ambled quickly down the filthy stairs
I was set to make it all feel zen
So I counted to ten, then I did it again
As I climbed on the crowded N
Chug, chug, chug went the subway
Shove, shove, shove went the crowd
Up, up, up went my pressure
As I tried not to holler out loud
“Ohm, ohm, ohm” went my mantra
Chill, Chill, chill went my id
Down, down, down went my pulse rate
And it kept me from flipping my lid
I looked around, and there’s a seat
If I could get to it, I thought, that would be neat
But someone else got to it first
I felt the vessels in my heart all set to burst
But “Calm, calm, calm” said the voices
Drop, drop, drop went the strain
Stop, stop, stop went the pounding
As I blocked out the rest of the train
As I blocked out the rest of the train
With my battered briefcase and my well-pressed suit
I walked toward the station for the train
I heard some indication, that trying meditation
Could be good for my brain
As I ambled quickly down the filthy stairs
I was set to make it all feel zen
So I counted to ten, then I did it again
As I climbed on the crowded N
Chug, chug, chug went the subway
Shove, shove, shove went the crowd
Up, up, up went my pressure
As I tried not to holler out loud
“Ohm, ohm, ohm” went my mantra
Chill, Chill, chill went my id
Down, down, down went my pulse rate
And it kept me from flipping my lid
I looked around, and there’s a seat
If I could get to it, I thought, that would be neat
But someone else got to it first
I felt the vessels in my heart all set to burst
But “Calm, calm, calm” said the voices
Drop, drop, drop went the strain
Stop, stop, stop went the pounding
As I blocked out the rest of the train
As I blocked out the rest of the train
48
Perfect! I feel less stressed already. Thank you, Freddie!
6
oh my gosh, this was a favorite when my oldest was a tiny girl ... now they're both all grown. but, just last night the 'baby' sister & I were in the city, on the trains & saw 'La Boheme.'
you're keeping the fun going :)
thanks, freddie!
you're keeping the fun going :)
thanks, freddie!
4