I loved this exercise so much. In the beginning, it was a little hard for me to think of a loved one and just feel that all encompassing feeling of love and kindness. There was love, don't get me wrong, but I have gone through so much in my life with my family, that a lot of pain came along with the love. I moved from person to person in my mind and still, there was the pain as well....til I thought of my nephew. This beautiful little boy is the one thing in this world that I love the most. (I'm sure his new little brother will equally join him on this list when I get to meet him at the end of February) His image came to my mind and I thought about the changes he's going through with the addition of his little brother to the family and I thought about the time I flew down to SC to take care of him for a weekend and he got a fever and was just so sick. The feeling of wanting to wrap him in my arms and hold him and make him feel better was overwhelming. Then, as I spread out my thoughts, I kept getting this same image of wrapping my arms around those in pain and comforting them with warmth and kindness. Then, when I moved to those that I may have seen as my enemy, I felt the same feeling. I knew that this one woman was so horrible to others because she was really just so miserable inside. I even wanted to help take her pain away (the fact that I had just found out about something she was going through the night before may have helped bring out my compassion, but I'm glad that I was able to feel that way regardless). I felt almost buzzing when I was done, my arm felt heavy and I had a smile on my face. I felt peaceful, calm and happy. I loved it! I have done the exercise a few times and plan on continuing it in the future. It just makes me feel so good and it really helps reset my mind frame.
A mental workout is just that, a work out. Just as you would work out a muscle in your body to make it look and respond as you wish it to, so must you work out your mind. This way, your thought processes can work the way that you wish them to and you can view life in a peaceful and calm way. Practices like the loving-kindness exercies are good "workouts" to get your mind into shape. After time, and LOTS of practice, you can work your mind into higher and higher levels of consciousness, eventually joining the spiritual growth that you may so desire.
Victoria
When I did this exercise, I envisioned something very similar. July 24, 2012 is the due date of my fifth child. I can't wait to hold it in my arms. When this vision came into my mind, it played over and over as I drifted through the exercise. I think it is very important to have a good mindset, even toward our enemies. I wish it was so easy all the time! Great blog post, Victoria!
ReplyDeleteVictoria,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your blog post! I agree with you about loving this exercise. It didnt effect me as strongly as it effected you, but I know with practice, the feeling will get stronger. I relate with you about feeling pain when thinking of certain people. That is one of the things I would like to over come. I felt challenged at the end. But on a positive note, I felt re-connected to a part of me that I didn't even realize I had blocked off for so long. I didn't know how to channel loving-kindness to others until this class, and I am so glad that I now know because its going to change my life for the better! Good luck in your practices, im so happy for you!