Greetings All!
I have to say that I am silly for not realizing that the last post I did was supposed to be just a loving kindness exercise and not the subtle mind. None the less, I did take some time and did the subtle mind exercise again and was much happy with my outcome. Granted I was interrupted by my children, I still was able to get way more into this than before. I did not feel like the pauses were too long this time. I just let myself "be". I was not anticipating someone to talk like before. I really tried to focus on what I was instructed to do and so during those times when there was no talking I allowed my mind to focus on my breath. This time there was no anxiety or anticipation but rather a raw relaxation and complete acceptance of the situation and that felt really good. I think that doing this exercise with no distractions would really be beneficial to me and that I could really reached some deeper mind states. I actually look forward to doing this again. I the subtle mind after working and I was not tired but engaged in the activity. In a house where a lot is always going on, taking the time to quiet my mind is a very good thing.
As I stated last week, I did not enjoy the loving kindness activity. I am not sure why that exercise is such a challenge for me but I just can't seem to connect with the instructions. I think that I do need to try the exercise again and maybe at different times/locations to get a better outcome from it. With the subtle mind I was able to get my mind into it and follow the instructions better than the loving kindness. What frustrates me is that I totally have a loving kindness mentality and have for some time now. I know that everything doesn't work for everyone but I would like to do better with the loving kindness exercise, but why? I think I feel like if I don't do good with that activity then my loving kindness heart/mind is not good enough and I know that is not true.
The connection between spiritual to mental to physical wellness
To some spiritual is before mental and to others mental is before spiritual. None the less getting the spiritual and mental aspects of wellness in order is necessary and can be done by incorporating physical activities/wellness hence mind body activities like yoga. I think that any physical activity has the potential to be a mind body activity depending on the individual. If your engaging in a physical activity like walking, that can be made into walking meditation and therefore connecting the mental, spiritual and physical areas of wellness. It is all in what the person puts into it. The deliberate effects of what the individual wants to get out of the activity.
Best wishes to all! Good night:)
Oh yes remember to be good to yourself and be good to others
I had an interruption as well, but was able to jump right back into it. I felt this was easier than the loving kindness exercise and was less disrupted when the girl would begin talking. It seemed to startle me in the first one, but not with this one. I really don't think that you should be hard on yourself about the Loving Kindness exercise and maybe the other one is easier because you have already been doing the loving kindness one. I think it is difficult to open our hearts to people because we often close ourselves up when we are hurt and this exercise contradicts that, but is a great one to do. Just keep at it!
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Really enjoyed reading your post. I am so glad that you re-did the exercise and it worked so well for you. I really enjoyed the subtle mind exercise also. Well since you enjoyed it so much and saw the benefits, it's time to start a regular program. I have started to listening to meditative exercises daily. They really help me to keep my focus on spiritual wellness as well as psycological and physical.
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