I'm glad we get to pick two exercises to write about because there are two that stand out to me. The one I enjoyed the most was the loving kindness exercise though I would modify it a little. That one is probably the best for me because I need to work on my loving kindness and patience with my loved ones. The exercise that was the most eye opening for me though was the subtle mind exercise. That exercise really showed me that thoughts will go away if you ignore them. That was revolutionary for me because I have had times when I was younger when I felt beat down by unrelenting thoughts, I wish I had know about this then but oh well.
I will really put an effort into making meditation as much a part of my life as exercise. I have found myself saying that I will have so much more time when I am done with school; which is true but I need to start now and make it a habit. I am actually looking forward to this final. I think it will be very helpful to make a concrete plan to expand the other areas of health. Actually it occurs to me that I should use the oils when I meditate, YL has blends just for spiritual awakening. Sometimes I am slow on the uptake.
Hello Melissa,
ReplyDeleteGreat post(!) I have a similar view on the exercises...the loving-kindness has been (and will continue to be) especially helpful...I tend to get impatient and mildly irritable, and have found that the loving-kindness exercises actually (genuinely) helps a great deal if I do it on a regular basis. Unrelenting thoughts are a bugger...I have found the mindfulness of breathing exercises to be helpful...anyway, I really appreciated the post...take care.
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the loving kindness practice! I think we all did, from what people are sharing on their blogs. I am glad the subtle mind practice worked for you! It was hard for me to do at first, but it is getting easier the more I do it. Being able to shut your thoughts off is a good skill to have, especially on stressful or hard days where your thoughts won't stop spinning in circles, or on days when you are feeling down on yourself, and can't stop thinking negative thoughts. I too, am looking forward to creating a concrete plan for improving my health, and increasing my meditative practices! The hard part I think will be sticking to it long enough for it to become habit and a part of my daily life.
~Catherine
Hi Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI had a really hard time with the subtle mind exercise at first. I think a lot of the problem for me is that I feel the need to argue with my negative thoughts. It's hard to just let go and let the bad thoughts go on their own. I think you make a great point about starting now instead of putting it off! Congratulations on finishing up school!
~ Sandra
I agree with you, I need to practice more loving kindness as well, but with strangers, and specifically strangers that are mean or drive bad. But that practice I had a hard time with because it was guided and I don't do well with those. But the subtle mind exercise I love, I have been doing something like that for a long time but this practice is more structured. Thank you for sharing!
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