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Today I started my day with doing cardio. I am old school and cannot really enjoy the benefits of HIIT as I tend to have problems with tendons and joints. Sprinting is the only way to get my heart rate up for HIIT but it sort of screws me up.

So I typically do the recumbent bicycle for about thirty minutes. My building has a gym downstairs with two of them side by side. As I entered I noticed that a woman was using one of them. So I sat next to her on the other one and began to peddle away.

Within minutes, I noticed she was wearing a lot of perfume and it was starting to give me a headache. I got really irritated with her but did not express my discontent, I simply hopped off and found a treadmill in the corner with no one around. I cannot stand colognes, hair sprays or any of that perfumy garbage, it gets in my nasal passages and lungs and irritates me physically.

Once I got myself established and working at 65% of my maximum target heart rate I was coasting and sort of slipped into a meditative state. For those that do not know much about my spiritual exploits I meditate seriously everyday and it is very important to me. Anyway, as I was walking in place it was like I got a clairvoyant image of my own body and could see blockages that I have not had or seen in a long time. Something about 'walking' helped me see this more than riding a stationary bicycle.

So I started doing techniques to address the blockages and focused my entire time on this while working at a fat burning pace (65% of MHR). I have to say that I can feel a difference in how I feel and my energy feels more balanced. Like I had a very thorough and healing meditation.

As I noticed the benefits I chuckled at myself for being so irritated at a woman whose perfume really irritated me. But in actuality I am now grateful for the course of events that have helped me sort of reach a new level of awareness within myself. So in a way I consider myself very fortunate for the experience.

I just had to share my story.

That was a very cool story, that I can relate to. In fact I might have written most of what you posted verbatim...including a generous expression of love for the irritant that nudged you toward this experience.

I've never been able to formally meditate in a stationary position. My autonomic nervous system kicks in and I get a panicky jolt of cortisol, which ruins the whole mind state.
But breathing rhythmically for an extended period on treadmill or hiking a familiar trail where I don't have to pay attention to where I'm going, will put me in a similar trance state.

It's ecstatic beyond endorphins. I truly feel like it's a window to the soul and the universe. There is a remote viewing aspect as well; that would admittedly sound hokey if it didn't happen like clockwork. If my subconscious takes me to a person I know; they'll contact me within a day; often there's a voicemail when I get to my locker.

So cool that you shared this story, and that I came across it. I try to entice lazy friends with my experience but they choose to hate every minute on a treadmill.

I think the treadmill vs the bike is a critical note. Walking is primal muscle memory, unlike a bike or elliptical. And a nice steady pace is key. I don't do it for cardio per se. Building stamina perhaps, at 60-90 minutes, but mostly for the mind walk. I'd much rather be switchbacking up a mountain logging road, but the treadmill does the trick too.

I get the benefits of HIIT by not resting between sets lifting. I alternate between complementary stations to keep heart rate up.

peace A.

Hooray! Someone finally posted to my thread (nearly two weeks later).


Yeah, there is something about walking that makes for a more effective experience. I walked a pilgrimage across Spain and walked across the entire Iberian Peninsula. It was tremendously healing and a mystical experience.

Sorry I missed this when it was first posted. Last Summer when I was desperate to rev up my metabolism I was doing a lot of cardio -which I hate more than anything I can think of. The ONLY way I could get thru it was to go into a meditative state. It was the only way I could cope with the tedium.

Although I no longer do that kind of cardio I still will do the same thing with core routine, or anything where there is time required but I don't have to concentrate on heavy weights over my face. I often go over scripts (I am an actor) and memorize lines during this time. It actually works better for some reason.

On a side note, I do a HIIT routine that LostBoy posted on here a while ago. 8 reps. 20 seconds active, 10 seconds rest. 4 minutes total. I do this with Burpees. Super intense and done in 4 minutes. It really works and there is not enough time to really stress joints tendons etc. if you are using proper form. I get in 4 minutes better results than an hour of anything else.

MuchMoreThanMuscle said I walked a pilgrimage across Spain and walked across the entire Iberian Peninsula. It was tremendously healing and a mystical experience.

Did you do that solo, or with a like minded group? It wouldn't work for me with a lot of conversing all around..at least not what you described in the first post.

Cash saidThe ONLY way I could get thru it was to go into a meditative state. It was the only way I could cope with the tedium.

I think it's the the tedium...or repetitive movement that induces the meditative state for me.
Cash, are you saying you can switch that on at will, even while performing complex moves...as long as it is a familiar routine?

The treadmill and hiking familiar trails is the only way I've ever experienced what MMTM has described. I know it's not the best use of my time in the gym, but it's like candy for me. Love taking that trip...enough so, that I'd like to pilgrimage to Peru and do an ayahuasca ceremony with a reputable shaman. Now that sounds like a trip. I met a guy in Chicago that organizes these ventures.

What appeals to me is gleaning some of the knowledge of our parallel universe, which quantum physics says exists. Those who participate in the ritual have an almost universal experience with the same beings and creatures and environments. They return with useful insights into their lives and their futures.

Am I getting too freaky here for this thread guys?

wild_sky360 said

MuchMoreThanMuscle said I walked a pilgrimage across Spain and walked across the entire Iberian Peninsula. It was tremendously healing and a mystical experience.

Did you do that solo, or with a like minded group? It wouldn't work for me with a lot of conversing all around..at least not what you described in the first post.

I went alone but the nice thing is at night when you stay at the hostels you have time to converse with people and you can walk with others if you choose to. I met people from all over the world and people walk at their own pace.

wild_sky360 said

Am I getting too freaky here for this thread guys?

What do you mean by freaky?

MuchMoreThanMuscle said

wild_sky360 said

Am I getting too freaky here for this thread guys?

What do you mean by freaky?

"freaky?"
I guess I'm still a bit self conscious about my posts.

I totally get what you were saying in your OP. And I thought it was cool that we shared what sounds like a similar experience. But then I took it off the track with the ayahuasca subject and it seemed, the thread hit a wall.

At first glance it may appear to simply be a psychadelic trip; which I don't dabble in. I admit the subject is "out there".

MuchMoreThanMuscle said

wild_sky360 said

MuchMoreThanMuscle said I walked a pilgrimage across Spain and walked across the entire Iberian Peninsula. It was tremendously healing and a mystical experience.

Did you do that solo, or with a like minded group? It wouldn't work for me with a lot of conversing all around..at least not what you described in the first post.

I went alone but the nice thing is at night when you stay at the hostels you have time to converse with people and you can walk with others if you choose to. I met people from all over the world and people walk at their own pace.

This sounds cool also. More of a contemplative state of mind; surrounded by others on the same path? I realized that after posting, but originally thought you were describing another example of the cardio/deep meditation state.

Hey, feel free to post whatever. I am very open.

As far as the pilgrimage, yes others are walking either around you or there are plenty of times that you might not see anyone.

I am planning on doing the walk again this fall. Since it is later in the year it may be more desolate than spring or summer (which are more popular times to go).

MuchMoreThanMuscle saidMeditation/Visualization During Cardio. Why Not?

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/03/16/90472/runner-on-beach-killed-as-plane.html

I remember that incident like it was yesterday. It really shook me up. I'm still walking the beach every day; but I do it backwards now, so they don't sneak up on me

paulflexes said

MuchMoreThanMuscle saidMeditation/Visualization During Cardio. Why Not?

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/03/16/90472/runner-on-beach-killed-as-plane.html

That's horrible!

But how is this related to the topic?

MuchMoreThanMuscle said

But how is this related to the topic?

I think it's pretty obvious. Deep contemplation and meditation are dangerous pursuits. Letting your guard down for an hour or so is like painting a target on your back. You could get hit by low flying aircraft, or worse; ravaged by a pack of wolves.

Glad for the bump. I like this thread and want to hear other stories. Surely it is not just the three of us experiencing this.

For me it's been well over a year and I'm missing it...though I've started back on the treadmill after posting here. Mostly it would occur on long walks with the dogs, in beautiful, familiar surroundings. We walked a wild place near home, with hundreds of miles of gated logging roads; walked hundreds of times. I didn't have to worry about the dogs and often just followed them, deep in thought.

http://www.realjock.com/fullphoto/833016

wild_sky360 said

MuchMoreThanMuscle said

But how is this related to the topic?

I think it's pretty obvious. Deep contemplation and meditation are dangerous pursuits. Letting your guard down for an hour or so is like painting a target on your back. You could get hit by low flying aircraft, or worse; ravaged by a pack of wolves.

I think it happened due to the fact that he was wearing his iPod player and was probably blaring music. People who blare their music devices while in public are not aware of their surroundings.

I am not suggesting to be in this meditative state with ear buds in place with blaring music.

Waaay too many drugs have been taken by people in this thread

hazardous saidWaaay too many drugs have been taken by people in this thread

Not.saying.anything...must.not.say.anything...

That is really really cool that you achieved that. I find it very intriguing that you were able to tap this while in such a rapid motion. Normally that's distracting. Then again, it is repetitive so it isn't like you are playing football or something where you need to focus.

I have noticed though, it seems like insignificant events at what appear to be the most random times tend to have the strongest impact. The fact that your caught off guard, have absolutely no preconceived notions about what you are tapping into, allows one to have a truly clear mind. It's unexpected, so you can't put up any walls with emotions, nor intellectualize it, you will feel it in a raw state (which has the most power). It's almost counter intuitive to imagine that a pathless insight such as this leads to the most clear answers, and it all makes total sense in hindsight.

It's wonderful that you gathered a good level of understanding from this, and I hope you manage to access it again!

hazardous saidWaaay too many drugs have been taken by people in this thread

Honestly I don't do any recreational drugs. I never have. Well there was that one pot brownie ten years ago, but honestly it was just one time.

No drugs here either...unless you count vicodin: I would be down for ayahuasca if the opportunity arose. No trip to Peru on the calendar. But seriously; we're not describing drug trips. It's just a transcendental state, achieved in a non traditional setting.

I no longer have a place to truly let my guard down, without distraction, so I'm trying the treadmill again. I miss those mind trips. Have to wear headphones though. But the tracks are in folders I've heard a hundred times....instrumental stuff. Have to turn off those annoying personal tv's too. I really hope I can get it back.

Try wearing ear plugs if you want quiet. It does not drown out all the noise 100% but it does significantly reduce the noise. I have exceptional hearing which can be annoying. I wear ear plugs to the gym every time. People probably think I am weird.

Guess what?

I don't give a shit.

wild_sky360 said

MuchMoreThanMuscle said

But how is this related to the topic?

I think it's pretty obvious. Deep contemplation and meditation are dangerous pursuits. Letting your guard down for an hour or so is like painting a target on your back. You could get hit by low flying aircraft, or worse; ravaged by a pack of wolves.

http://www.realjock.com/fullphoto/833016

This is why I prefer meditation for annihilation of the separation of self and other, rather than meditation to go inward, seeing only the self and blocking out the other... when in such a public situation.... meditation inward should only be done in a safe and secure surroundings...

http://www.joehenderson.com/longrunsolution/home.php?article=2191

a primer on meditative running. I looked for the link to the transcendental meditation group that runs around the same block in (Bronx? Brooklyn) but couldn't find it. They are a religious order and run around the block for days at a time no sleep trying to achieve enlightenment.