I did the universal loving-kindness exercise, and found it to be good once I could remember the words I was trying to repeat for 10 minutes. I pictured people that are suffering in the world, and then I saw myself helping by handing out food and clothing. This was not my favorite exercise, but I will do it again over the weekend to see if it gets easier to do...remembering the phrases is hard!
I did the integral assessment, and find that I need to focus on all areas. I chose the psychospiritual area to focus on this week, because I would like to really use the meditation exercises that I have found. Meditation can help me to relieve stress look at life more positively. I want to be able to still my mind for a while, and I know this will take some time. I also want to practice mindfulness, just being in the present moment. I want to stop and smell the roses :)
My strategy is to start with this area, and then move to another aspect, like biological. I would like to start working out more, and eat better. I cannot change everything at once, so I am going to take little steps until I get where I want to be.
Hi Selena!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear that you liked this exercise. I need more practice remembering the mantra too, but that will come --no worries. :) It seems like many folks are choosing to work on their psychospiritual aspect of wellness, according to these blogs. This is probably because of all we have learned through the exercises we have been practicing in this class. I loved how you said you wanted to stop and smell the roses. How simple and yet how enlightening is it to just stop, be mindful, and appreciate the present moment. I hope you get to where you want to be and discover a lot about yourself along the way!
Blessings to you!
Hi Selena,
ReplyDeleteAt first I too had problems with remembering the words for the exercise but once I was able to do that it became much easier. I feel like the repetition of this exercise allows the concepts to linger in our minds longer. Perhaps with the mediation exercises creating your own mantra that is easy to remember that promotes feelings of loving kindness can be beneficial. Good luck to you!
Selena,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a nice job working with the exercise. I have to admit; I don't feel like I am getting the most out of the class as I would like, because of time. I never seem to have the time to slow down and fit in these exercises more than the one time we do them each week. I would really like to have a remote control so I can just push pause to pause life for ten minutes sometimes and take a time out. :)
I keep these exercises at arms length and in the back of my mind, so whenever I have even a few seconds I close my eyes and try to remember some of them even if it's just bits and pieces of the practice. I need exercises that will linger in my mind, so I can reflect on them easily at any spare moment. Upon completion of this class, I plan to keep these exercises at arms length and implement them in my life.
Tara
I have been really trying to take a set time everyday and think about and/or do the deep breathing and loving kindness meditations... I've listened to it enough that I remember the feeling and the words and can think of it and get the same result as actually listening to the tape. The feeling is immediate when I focus on it... I did an extensive assessment on myself and I think it helped me evaluate and focus... I think it is well worth it to do the meditative exercises as well as the video websites we were given earlier that had the beautiful photography and affirmitive statements... I think these positive feelings and images, as well as audios become a part of our inner spirit and mind and can help create feelings of calm, peace, happiness and universal love and unity.
ReplyDelete