Recently, in class we were asked to participate in a meditation called Loving Kindness. This exercise is beneficial to helping one to evolve to full psychospiritual flourishing. Having loving kindness for our loved ones, ourselves, all others in the universe including our ememies helps us to gain perspective in the higher conscious states. These states include: wisdom, peace, compassion, happiness, and wholeness. When we can quiet our minds and allow love and kindness to flow freely in our hearts and to other ouside our relm of being we are generating a greater vibration to the world and this vibration will come back to use...an ebb and flow of conscious love, wholeness, and healing. Although our minds are difficult to shut off sometimes (most of the time) it is nice to use this video to help guide this process because with encouragement and guidance quieting the mind becomes less difficult.
It is suggested in our text that this proces becomes a daily venture which will become our mental workout. A mental workout is a daily committment that we make to ourselvesto achieve and evolve our psychospiritual life. this process will allow us to access its capabilities and resources. This mental workout involves a contemplative practices each day that is a progressive development of an expanded consciousness and healing practices that also involves rest and relaxation. This mental workout is made up of two parts: loving kindness and the subtle mind (witnessing, calm-abaiding, and unity consciousness). These two components heal at the source and drive human flourishing. One can implement a workable and successful mental workout through dedication, and practice. However, it is helpful to practice each day at a specific time in a specific location and this meditatio will make a difference in how you feel and how you relate to others.
Hi Danielle, sounds like you had much more success with this exercise than I did.I also liked the CD with the sounds in the background and the concept behind the exercise. I guess this just shows that everyone is on their own path and needs to find what works best for them. Really nice blog entry!
ReplyDeleteAdrienne,
ReplyDeleteSuccess is relative to the individual, I did not feel super successful because I do not have the time right now to actually do this meditation everyday. Working full time, and school really tie things up around the house. I can't see myself compromising my sleep to maintain this aspect of development in this present moment. I do however, feel the effects of a relaxed mind and appreciate the outcome. All we can do is try.... :)
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteWe had a similar experience with this exercise. I too have an issue with making time each day to have a "Mental Workout". I ask you at what point do we realize that this is just as important as staying caught up in our class work? This type of mental work can only propel us forward in the healing art of massage. Through healing of oneself we can heal the world.
April
I had a hard time with this exercise. I can get into thinking about a loved one but I got a little lost and aggrevated with thinking about enemies and having unconditional love for them. I hear all the time about forgiveness and not forgiving for the other person but for ourselves...I have a very difficult time with this. Im a grudge holder but I usually just forget about the person and it doesnt bother me. I dont stress about it. I just learn what type of person they are and then realize I dont care for those types and move on. I dont dwell on them but I dont have love for them. I dont wish them any harm...maybe that's the compassion part but I dont feel anything beyond that nor do I want to. I cant imagine that because I feel that way, I cant have loving-kindness or reach flourishing.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I felt this was too long. My mind wandered quite a bit about all the schoolwork I have to do. If I take an hour for this everyday, that's an hour of schoolwork I dont get done or an hour of time with my son. Maybe I could try this while Im getting ready for work...eh, I doubt that's very mind-quieting.
Jess
Danielle you gave a good description about the exercise. You need loving and kindness in your heart for yourself and for others it makes you a better person with more character and personality. I think that you are supposed to meditate daily at the same time it helps you keep focus.
ReplyDelete