My Experience With The Loving Kindness Exercise
The Loving Kindness Exercise was much easier for me than the
other meditative exercises. I enjoyed the sounds of the waves crashing, the
visualizations and the relaxed breathing. The only portion I had a hard time
with was the suffering of a loved one, however hard it was I believe it helped
heal me and my heart also. I have not had to think about the suffering of a
loved one in some time and the only person that came to mind was my mom who I
lost to breast cancer at the age of 51 years old. I stayed home and helped care
for her during her last few months on this Earth, before and during hospice care.
I brought my mother into my mind and arms as I could think of no one else regarding
the portion “think about about a suffering loved one”. I was able to experience this while resting
comfortably and I let my heart heal from the wounds of losing her. I gave
myself loving kindness and healing and am grateful. I breathed in the suffering
of others, dissolved it within my heart and gave them back health, wellness,
peace of mind and the happiness I felt inside my heart.
Mental Concept Workout
I believe this was beneficial to me and could be to others if
they so choose to experience it. I am much more accustomed to working out my physical
body than my mind, however this exercise truly opened my mind and opened a door
that I thought had been closed and sealed shut.
The idea of the “mental workout”
happens through continued, mindful and thoughtful practice. We improve our
mental competence, abilities and train the mind. With positive thinking and
loving kindness we can change not only our minds but our physical health also.
The conscious mind along with our perceptions is an influential tool which we can utilize to impact and shape our personal experience.
Hey Lisha,
ReplyDeleteI had my own struggles with this exercise I would have loved to hear the waves something about rhythmic sounds are soothing. Funny how memories solicit emotions I lost my brother to brain cancer and to this day every April 27th I have a boo-hoo marathon; then I am comforted knowing that his suffering is over. I am sure that wherever he is, his wishes would align themselves with the object of this exercise.
I have so many fond memories of loved ones no longer with us and those visualizations in of themselves are divine they make me smile and everyone knows smiles are infectious! I have experienced the passing of so many people in my profession enough to know that there is a release of energy almost like a 500lb gorilla jumping off your back; kind of like those a ha moments when you see a child grasp a concept . I wish you peace in your memories!
Vinnie
Hi Vinnie, I keep forgetting that you have temporary hearing loss. These exercises must truly be hard for you! Have you spoken with Kaplan's disability coordinator?
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your loss, I usually don't think too hard about losing my mom unless it is the fourth of July, the hospice nurse told us she wouldn't last the day and she made it to July 5th...I also stopped celebrating mother's day too. Maybe this year will be different as I feel more at peace with my loss than I have in years. Thanks for your kind words ~ Peace to you also.
First of all: love the background. Second of all: love the Ghandi quote! My favorite quote ever is "We must be the change we wish to see in the world" by Ghandi.
ReplyDeleteI like how you put that you let your heart heal and the wounds heal from losing your mother. I can't imagine the pain that would bring, but I can imagine the feeling of wholeness once you allow that hole in your heart to close a little, and to learn to be a peace with your loss of a precious life. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Elizabeth! Your favorite Gandhi quote is one of my personal favorites too! I used quotes like daily aspirations when I use to teach in college. It gave my classroom environment a positive atmosphere. It has been 14 years since my loss...she was not only my mom but also my best friend. I talked to her everyday sometimes twice...then one day she was gone. It takes time to go through the 5 steps of grieving...I was afraid I was stuck on the last step but I just had to let go and breath.
ReplyDelete