I1. I like the idea of the Loving – Kindness exercise in our book Integral Health, The Path to Human Flourishing much better than the actual mediation that we listen to. I found this exercise to be much easier without the lady giving the guided tour. This exercise for me was much too long. I think that I might continue with this meditation but in smaller increments. I like the idea of taking what you feel for a loved one and turning it inward because most people seem not to have the same amount of love for themselves that they may for a parent, spouse or child. There was only one part that I am unsure of and that was taking in the suffering of another, only because that could bring negativity into yourself if you are not able to let it go properly. But I totally agree with sending out the healing and the love to someone that is.
2. The mental workouts are important to help us all flourish so that we are healthy, happy and whole. That is why we must practice the activity like loving-kindness which opens the heart and the subtle mind which helps to expand our wisdom. If we are able to have both and open heart and an open mind then we would have the ability to be open to ourselves. We would know ourselves much better and be able to access parts of the mind that are usually under used by most people.
I really like the quote from the Torah that was in the Consciousness and Healing book…
“Happy are those who find wisdom. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Get wisdom. Get insight. Do not forget”
Hi Nena. I feel that I needed the guidance of the woman to direct my thoughts at first. I liked the long pauses in between because it allowed me to really focus on the vision of breathing in suffering and breathing out good to them. This exercise was very emotional for me. I actually had to try the exercise twice in the same day. I really liked how the focus begins with picturing someone you deeply love and carrying those warm feelings to yourself. It really is difficult to give others love without loving yourself. I agree that the exercise was quite long. It is best to start off in small increments several times a day and then build in duration. Eventually it will become part of a normal routine. Reaching deep into our minds can help us open ourselves completely to follow the path to flourishing. The more at peace we are with ourselves, the more open we are to learning on this path. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteCindy Allen
Hi Nena
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you did not like the mp3 exercise as well as I did. I actually liked the exercise of Loving-Kindness better than in the book. Each of us have different ways to do things. Some of us are better visual learners and others do better with our listening skills. Once I got into the exercise, I didn't even realize the time went by so quickly and it was done. I do agree with you in the part that you wrote about taking in the suffering. It does seem like it is bringing in negativity that we don't need. I suggest you do the exercise in small segments to start and then work your way to doing the whole thing eventually twice a day for a week to start. I am sure it will go by quicker than you think by then. I learned from what you wrote that loving yourself is essential before loving others. It lets us open our hearts to others to prime our mind for further development. Great job this week!
Danielle
Hi Nena,
ReplyDeleteBecause I have been studying meditation and spiritual development, a lot of these technique aren't new to me but I still enjoy listening to it. Like we learned in Aesclepian healing,spiritual development is dynamic and I feel there is always room for me to learn more. Take care!
I too felt as if this was a long excersize. I personally had a hard time with taking in the suffering of a loved one. I felt very overwhelmed with this and found the rest of the excersize hard to complete. I could not get back to focus.
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