[Herb]

This Exercise really did open me up. I feel like it also took a different energy level to process more information and keep my eyes still. I was also breathing more deeply. The integration with surround sound also became clear because it felt like I was listening peripherally too. even the view in front of me took on a clearer focus. I tried it while walking and I saw how much my head in a way that I don’t notice wirh narrower vision.

I was walking in the woods with some coworkers and switched to open vision. I saw something move quickly some 50 yards away. judging from the height of the flash i saw and hearing the speed, I knew it wasn’t a bear, which are common in the area. I assessed that it was likely a deer but possibly a coyote or bobcat. I told a colleague and we swiftly proceeded in the other direction.

[Herb]

My experience with surround sound started with focus of choosing the area. It’s a decision in more urban areas to take time and decide where this can be done. The space I chose is actually the land where the supposed “Manahatta Purchase” took place so I approached it with great respect, drawing on some of the indigenous energy.

I sat on the rocks at the rivers edge. I reached out to the left past the train and traffic to the birds, wind, and leaves blowing on the ground. I somehow internalized the sound of the river on a cloudy day. from the other sides, I could differentiate the birds on the water from birds in the trees or on the ground. I felt the wind carrying the sounds to me. As I changed focus, the sounds started to layer, one direction on top of the otherwhile still being able to distinguish them. At one point I felt like I could hear all the way to Jersey. I heard the water lapping at the shore beneath me and at another point, felt the bird calls vibrate in the water.

Some observations I had in my body were that my eyes, even while closed, moved toward the direction I was focusing on. I was still using the other senses to listen. I also noticed that the awareness behind me was already heightened and ready for defense since metropolitan dwellers are trained to “always watch your back”. I focused on dialing back the hyper-defensive systems to simple awareness that garnered more calm.

I have started using this during my morning Tai Chi practice, listening into the direction I am moving into. I notice the differences in my surroundings day by day.

[Herb]

Thank you Mike. I used it the other day on a path frequented by bikes. Sometimes I was just aware and listening. Other times the awareness let me know a something was coming. I always managed to turn around before the bike was close.