Saturday 23 February 2013

Wandering aimlessly.



Being out alone with the dogs, deep in the woods, is just about my favourite part of the day. The silence is stunning, the surroundings spectacular, and just watching the boys running around is heart-warming.

But as I walk, there is always something or other going on inside my head; usually it's trying to work-out how  something should be done. What would be the best route for some electrical wiring, what timber should I use for some little project, or have I got enough sand for something or other?

Occasionally other less innocent subjects get tossed about up there. I still worry about the horrendous orange wall, I worry about the state of the world (especially the UK), and I worry about relatively unimportant health issues.

Walking in deserted woodland must be the closest thing to meditation without actually having to sit on a mat in the lotus position; but clearing my mind of unwanted thoughts seems impossible.

I need to learn some method of 'brainwashing' myself. To be able to have NOTHING going through my head; to be void of all thoughts, problems, or emotions.

Maybe no such method exists, but occasionally it would be very welcome.


21 comments:

  1. I adore my husband but he irritates me so when he can just clear his head, lay down and instantly SLEEP while my head never shuts up. Do you think Cro, if we're in the woods all alone with just our heads going non-stop that we can still be called crazy? What? Who said that?

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    1. It's the same with Lady M; two seconds after her head hits the pillow, she's snoring. But what's going on in her head, I wouldn't like to guess!

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  2. I like to let my mind drift it is the best time to have 'light bulb' moments.

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  3. Sometimes Cro it would be good to have an 'off switch' inside our head wouldn't it?....my answer is very odd I know, but OCD can be useful......counting very slowly is very restful.

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  4. One technique you can try is to allow the thoughts that come into your mind to slow right down, rather like a record played on the wrong speed.
    I miss the beach woods of Bucks, your walk looks heavenly.

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  5. I think the walk sounds as good a way to get your brain clean as any.... you could try chanting a little mantra to yourself as you stroll about....it usually lasts about 2 minures with me and then I'm back in my head.....I was once told by some shamen or other that my brain was like a lightbulb you couldn't turn off.....even when I sleep the dreams can be so vivid they're exhausting!!

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  6. Hi Cro
    If you find a method that works, please let me know. I have the same problem. Maybe this is something creative people suffer from, over active minds.
    As for the state of the uk, we are so lucky at our age to have lived through the best times and I feel for my children and grandchildren who are going to have to change many things in the future.
    Only this morning we were talking about the community in our area. There used to be many small shops where you could meet and chat with neighbours but they are all gone and times really have changed.
    Briony
    x

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  7. I think solitary walks are great opportunities for ‘thinking’ and solving the problems of the world. I am fortunate in that I can fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow but if I happen to wake up in the early hours my mind immediately switches into overdrive and I cogitate over the most ridiculous worries - from what name to christen the dog (I don’t even have a dog)to whether I would be able to change the gas bottle by myself if my husband got abducted by aliens.

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  8. I try not to worry about things that I can do nothing about. It's not my fault that the UK is full up.

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  9. Careful what you wish for when asking for a thoughtless head! For me, negative thoughts are usually inspired by a hang-over.

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  10. I know exactly what you are talking about! Sometimes I can stop it, but most times no. Walking in the woods does help. Getting "caught up" in Nature is one of my cures for that.

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  11. the dogs look happy...wonder what they are thinking?....thinking Cro thanks for taking us out into this super wood....oh did you smell that?....exciting!!!!

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  12. Hmmmm...I believe yesterday Pearl was espousing hot yoga as a way of turning off the mind.

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  13. your goal is an impossible one...thoughts are always intruding. the best we can do is be fully engaged in something (like your walks). I remember how the hours flew by when I was processing photos in the darkroom -- 8 hours? Where'd they go? I was fully concentrating and invigorated by the task at hand. "In the flow," you might say.

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  14. Like you, my mind is full of thoughts when I walk. I think the rhythm of walking is conducive to reflection. A bit of oriental exercise is the best way to ATTEMPT to clear my mind, along with actions such as eyebrow tapping and stretches to relax the body.

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  15. I have to agree with Taradharma...it's an impossible goal but I read this earlier. Perhaps it's totally off-topic but it made me stop short. "The truth is, I do indulge myself a little the more in pleasure, knowing that this is the proper age of my life to do it; and, out of my observation that most men that do thrive in the world do forget to take pleasure during the time that they are getting their estate, but reserve that till they have got one, and then it is too late for them to enjoy it." ~Pepys

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  16. I so enjoy my long walks as it clears the cobwebs from my mind and enables me to get a clearer perspective on my life. Being alone with my thoughts and being surrounded by nature (my walks usually involve wooded parks)is a wonderful gift that I give to myself.

    I often see a younger person walking or running by me, busily engrossed in a phone conversation and I think how sad that is. Alone time is so precious - unless, of course, you are always alone.

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  17. As soon as I start walking, I start thinking. I don't know how to stop it. I do better at blanking out in yoga class.

    Then again, I have some of my best creative thoughts while walking outdoors..

    Love your doggy!

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  18. Dear Mr Cro, I love your blog, I am a very partial to the way you write and would have loved to have met you in real life I really think we would have hit it off. I am very happy that I found you sad that I never knew you. Oh well, I will still follow.....happily

    Regards Jo

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