Hello Everyone!
The first part of our exercise this week dealt with the Loving Kindness exercises on page 93 of the Dacher book. I tried this exercise several times before I got comfortable with it. I think I like the guided exercises better in some ways because they "nudge" you through, can bring you back when your mind wanders, and help you to stay with it easier. Initially the difficulty I had was remembering all four lines to repeat over in my mind. I actually had to break them down and take them one at a time, because my mind would wander and I would forget the phrase. This meant I would have to open my eyes, re-read the phrase and start over again. It was very start/stop at first. Eventually I was able to perform the exercise and can see how it would be very helpful in shifting towards universal loving-kindness.
For the second part of our exercise and the integral assessment process, I found this to be one that I will definitely need to keep working on and will be an ongoing process. I was able to identify some areas that I can start working on right away, such as I know that my body needs help both nutritionally (I really need to eat more balanced meals) and my fitness program needs to be taken up a notch. Spiritually I would like to get back into the habit of going to church and this is definitely an area in my life that is ready for growth and development.
Sandy
Sandy,
ReplyDeleteI felt more connected to others with this exercise. I felt that putting good intentions out there I am willingly accepting good intentions right back.It was difficult to remember the lines, but after a while is was meditative in its essence. Afterwards, I felt more united in the cosmic universe, and a bigger part of universal healing and transformation.
Very profound post, I too had so much difficulty with the loving kindness exercise because I have become so accustomed to guided imagery or similar practices such as meditation. I must say that I was very much disappointed with my ability to focus in on the task at hand because of the memorization aspect of the Loving Kindess exercise. I am happy that you have found aspects of improvement for your life that you can enjoy and develop for the betterment of you integral health.
ReplyDeleteI, too, found the reading the sentences and then closing my eyes difficult. I put the first two sentences together and the second two so that I could remember when my eyes were closed. I prefer to hear a soft voice telling me these words like guided meditation.
ReplyDeleteNutrition is something I have been working on also and it is still a work in progress. What I have found helpful is to pack my lunch for work. That way I eat what I bring and I've been packing healthier lunches. Then in the afternoon when I get those hunger pains before leaving work, I make a cup of green tea which helps stave off the appetite to keep me from snacking on junk food. This time is also a way for me to relax for about 10 minutes and try to still my "mental chatter". It could also be used to help with your spiritual side. Joining a church really helps me to feel connected to others. I wish you well on your journey.
Sandy! Not to revel in your misery, but I'm glad I wasn't the only one whom this week's exercise didn't quite fit. For me, the issue wasn't so much having to remember the words as the fact that there were words in the first place. I prefer to just feel things as they are and not worry about the language of the experience. Not that I don't have anything to say in general (the opposite!), but when it comes to "workouts" -- mental, physical, whatever -- I'm just not verbally oriented. Anyway, it's nice that it eventually clicked for you, and if you decide to keep trying, I hope that it does, like you suggest, help you shift toward loving-kindness. :)
ReplyDelete-Rheyn