MYERS-BRIGGS PERSONALITY TYPE

Type and Meditation

How to Build the Ballast of your Ship: Feeding the Fourth Function

       Any of the activities in the book Ice Cream for the Soul can be done as a form of meditation -- focusing on the activity and gently dismissing any other thoughts or concerns that come into your mind while you are doing the activity. The key is to stay centered and focused. Breathe slowly, deeply and evenly. Play relaxing music, preferably something designed to create an alpha brain wave state.

       Classes or groups have advantages and disadvantages. Extroverts are naturally distracted by the external world. The opportunity to socialize can be motivating; however, it can be difficult to stay in a meditative state in a room with windows or with others around for distraction. Introverts are better with tuning things out; however, they rarely get enough "I" time in our busy culture, so the socialization that happens before and after class sometimes outweighs the benefits of the activity itself.

        If you want to try a group setting, I suggest making a circle, each person facing outward rather inward. If you are an Extrovert, consider staying close to the instructor so you have fewer things in your line of focus to distract you.

       Creative visualization uses iNtuition (imagining the big picture and future possibilities) and Sensing (vividly imaging using representation for all five senses). It can be done either Feeling (focusing on what you value and your emotions) or Thinking (staying observational and objective about what you see). Therefore, each type can find a comfortable way to use their dominant function in creative visualization activities.

       When first learning to use creative visualization, I suggest using your dominant function ( Table 1). In other words, start by doing the activities in a way that is easiest for you, because it fits the dominant function of your natural type. Some meditative activities are easy for most types, such as massage and aromatherapy.

 

E
prefers touching on a lot of different things within an activity
I
prefers going into greater depth on one thing
N
finds it easiest to use their imagination
S
often enjoys practical detailed activities like yoga
F
enjoys activities that allow for emotional expression
T
leans towards activities requiring competence and objective awareness
J
prefers structured activities and structuring their play time
P
often does best with moving meditations

 

        After you develop skill with this technique, trying doing it with your least preferred (fourth) function. Since creative visualization uses varying degrees of iNtuition and Sensing as well as Feeling and Thinking, it is relatively easy to turn creative visualization into a feeding the fourth activity.

       First, identify what your fourth function is by using Table 1. Read how someone would approach the activity using that function if it were their dominant function. Then go to Table 2 for additional guidance on how to do the activity using your fourth function.

       For example, I am an ENFP so my fourth function is introverted Sensing (Si). After reading the instructions for Si, I go down the page to Si in Table 2, and read the additional information on how to create the Si mindset.

       Here's an example of how to do an activity based on your personality type: Personal Playground

 

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