I found the experience of the Loving Kindness exercise difficult at first. I was able to comfortably rest and was also able to bring to my mind someone close to me that I had great love and tenderness for. I was able to turn that towards myself and experience a sense of peace. I was also able to accept all the thoughts and feelings that crept into my mind and let them go. I do have a close friend who is experiencing a major health issue and was able to take in his suffering through my breath and release it. The difficult part was the circle of strangers, even though I am an open and caring person, I have great difficulty allowing people to get close to me. I have a tight circle of friends and family, but seem to be a little distant when it comes to other people. This is why I believe I had a hard time with this part as well as the last part of embracing all living things. I have a sincere fondness for animals and things that grow from the earth, it is sometimes people that make me wary. While working on this for the week, I found it did come a little easier, however, I believe with more practice it will become second nature.
I would recommend this exercise to others as I believe it has started to work on my heart becoming open and if that is the case than it can work for others. I also think this exercise has given me some self awareness which can also help others become aware of their own self and what it is that holds them back.
I think the concept of a mental work out is to stimulate the mind, to train it to move beyond the everyday thoughts and feelings and being able to control what we put into it and what comes out of it. To me it is the same as the food you but in your body, what you fuel your body with, will ultimately become how well your body functions. The same with the mind, what you feed it, positive, peaceful, and kind thoughts, and eliminating negativity will ultimately produce a stronger trained mind, where we are in control of our thoughts and feelings. We are better able to embrace all that is good, and live within a peaceful, loving environment that is concentrated on the present moment.
We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.
~ Buddha ~
Peace - Robin
Hi Robin,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog.
I can really relate to your experiences with this week's Loving kindness practice. I understand how the part about the circle of strangers was difficult for you as I struggled with it as well. I am also a private person who feels most comfortable with a very select few in my life, and opening myself up to strangers terrifies me! I also agree that it became easier the more times I practiced.
Robin, I wonder what time of day did you practice this exercise? I tried it in the evening several times, and then I tried it yesterday just after I woke up. For me, the morning was most effective; honestly, it felt like a different experience. As I mentioned in my blog, I think it felt different as the morning is when I am most at peace, before my mind starts flooding with all the day's responsibilities.
Thoughts?
Thanks, Laura
Hi Laura,
DeleteThanks for your comments. I have been doing this exercise in the mornings when I first get up as well as at night. As I have usually meditated at these two times I just incorporated this instead of my usual meditation (which can vary, depending on what I am going through). I do agree I seem to do better in the morning too, but I know in the evening it helps me to sleep, as I have rested my mind. When I do this at night I lay outside and stare into the sky as I have beautiful starry nights and that helps me to relax.
Again, thanks for your thoughts and sharing your experiences.
Peace ~ Robin
Hello Robin- I can relate to some of what you mentioned. It was easy for me to think of someone that is close to me. I also had ease when it came to thinking of strangers; I am concerned with everyone's well-being and even sometimes care too much about others. This may be a part of why I feel so deeply for people that I love and care about. I did this exercise after work so it was more difficult for me to focus since I was "wound up." I believe, however, this is a great way to relax, and I plan on trying it at the beginning of the day to see the differences.
ReplyDeleteYou also mentioned the relationship between mental training and food. It is accurate that what you described will occur; what you put in you will get out- in either instance. It is imperative we train our minds so our bodies can follow!
Amy