My experience for this week’s exercise on universal Loving Kindness and the Integral Assessment was very interesting. It took me a few times to remember the mantra because I kept forgetting the words, but once memorized them I really started to feel relaxed. It felt similar to a prayer in asking that all individuals be helped with suffering, health, happiness and wholeness. I was really able to find the awareness of humankind in my meditation. In addition, when I was asking myself about the different aspect of my life being either difficult or suffering I was able to see how the worldly part is more suffering and the biological part is more difficult.
Upon doing this exercise I discovered I still need more help on taking on the suffering of others, I tend not to want to take on other people pain. I feel for them, I just refuse to let their pain affect me. The areas that I have chosen to focus on for growth and development are my spiritual side. Over the last several years I’ve been so busy travelling and attending school that I have neglected my spiritual side. I truly believe in a higher spirit, but I have noticed how my faith tends to waiver and this is something I need to seriously work on. Taking this class has been very different for me because I never thought I would ever see myself meditating and now I find myself meditating about two or three times a week. Ever sense I started doing the loving-kindness exercises I’ve seen a change in myself, so I plan to continue doing this type of exercise to help my spiritual side flourish. I will continue my weekly exercise program with the locals in my community, I use exercise as a way for me to relax and help others get fit. I’m thinking of taking a few yoga classes now that I’m learning more about the calming effects of this form of exercise.
I thought the mantra was a lot to remember and was easily frustrated with not being able to close my eyes and relax. I think it's really great that you've started meditating and have found helpful benefits from doing so. I have never attended a yoga class, but I have several dvds and like to do it in my living room somethime. It is very peaceful. Good luck:)
ReplyDeleteI also felt that the mantra was a bit wordy and I took a bit to memorize it as well. My brain seems to be busting at the seams tight now just being in such a busy season in life and this course has really helped me to regain my focus. My spiritual side is ignited with passion and devotion right now but I find myself struggling to fit all of my desired reading and activities in for every area of my life and tend to carry guilt over it.
ReplyDeleteMiles, I am glad that you are taking time to work on your spiritual side and I wish you many blessings.
I agree the mantra was hard to remember so I recorded it and then put it on repeat. I really enjoyed this exercise and it really did feel like a prayer. Miles I recently started working on my spiritual side also and seen instant improvement so keep up the pursuit. We all get so busy and that is one of the first things that goes, keep up the good work and get someone to hold you accountable that worked great for me.
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