Ok, so I had a hard time with the Loving-Kindness exercise. Picturing that loved one was easy as well as allowing myself to become overwhelmed with love thinking about that person but I wasnt sure what 'sensations' my body was feeling or how to give them my 'love'. I mean, are they talking about hunger pangs? I was hungry during this exercise. I dont think I was prepared to calm my mind and do this exercise. I guess I was being too practical and the requests of the exercise to shift thinking to encompass all people's suffering and bring it into my heart and then breathe out health and joy...that was difficult because in my mind, I dont want everyone elses suffering. To take on on everyone elses problems is stressful. Granted it was supposed to 'dissolve' in our hearts and then we breathe out the good health but it felt as though I was suppose to take on everyones stresses and then fix it for them. Maybe that's the whole point of loving-kindness and really, that makes me feel cruel. Many people bring on their own suffering so it's hard fro me to be sympathetic and want to help them. I guess this is where my mind was analyzing it too much so I couldnt actually participate in the exercise with an open mind and relax. How do I get over that hump? If I am to do this exercise twice a day, I think Id feel frustrated twice a day.
The concept of a "Mental Workout" is much the same as a physical workout. We train our mind and with practice, we get better. Consistency is key in order to achieve the results we want. Implementing mental exercises, we learn to focus and control our thoughts instead of our thoughts controlling us.
Jess,
ReplyDeleteYour experience of this exercise is real and valid. I thin to not try it again would only be a disadvantage to your spiritual growth. I feel if you alter the approach to more of your comfort state such as the state of your mind and body when you have finished a yoga session, you may then have a different experience. They exercise was not meant for you to feel the stress and worries of the world it was meant for you to gather your love and send it out to those in need. it is not our place to understand, fix, or even carry the burden of the world; we are here to send them the unconditional love and strength too left them up to a place that they can change their predicament. Sometime we have to left others so that they can see over the horizon and see something different for themselves. Light & Love on your journey!
April
Jess, I totally understand your point of view, the exercise was a little difficult for me as well. I certainly have to work on my focusing techniques in order to get the benefits of these exercises. I am confident that in time and doing these relaxation exercises more often will produce the results I desire.
ReplyDeleteJess,
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time focusing during this exercise. I didn't have hunger pains, I had head pains! The second time I tried the exercise, I did a little better but still found it hard to concentrate. In the end, I just focused on listening to the ocean sounds.
I agree with your point about taking everyone's stress on and trying to fix it. Hopefully we will all be able to find an exercise that we can focus on that will work for us.
Hi Jess, great post, I think you have a serious point of concern. I think with practice you will get much better at letting go and try and understand that you are not breathing in the person pain and suffering but through intentions you are relieving them of it and sending out your own healing energy to them. During the exercise I became concerned when I felt like I was breathing in a dark cloud of their pain and suffering. As I continued the exercise and just released the love and kindness to them then the dark cloud became much more clear and light. I did not feel like anything stayed with me in fact I felt more at peace because I was able to feel more forgiveness and compassion for that person. I hope this helps. I know we all have different experiences but for you to not try it again I think would be a tragedy because you are such an amazing women and strength to your family.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed day!
Brandy