| | Not sure if this would be approved advice. But I've noticed...
There are times where you can still be in the "observer" mode without being engaged in active noting, where you're still doing a lot of good work, but maybe more able to interact in normal life type situations.
It's sort of like the old cartoons with the angel/devil on the shoulder...you're sort of watching your reactions, compulsions, etc...while your body/mind do their thing, but since you are sub-vocalizing through noting, then you're a little more ready to respond or jump into the body if needed. Hard to explain, but to me it's sort of an in between ground: not normal life reactivity, but not full on noting.
Another option, almost the opposite, would be to use interactions as a concentration practice, similar to being in a state of "flow". See if while talking to someone you can be wholly engaged with them...or while doing a task, or whatever. It's more of a Zen approach (loosely), but for me, it beats just floating back into normal dualistic, reactive thinking. When you're driving, just drive. No phones, no music, no thoughts, just scanning mirrors, maintaining safe following distance, etc.
All of it is just sort of playing with your experience; using yourself and every interaction as an experiment to bring more understanding...or a way to develop more concentration for future use... |