The subtle mind exercise for me helps me remove the chatter by focusing on breathing, then witnessing moments of thoughts, but coming back to the breathing. Ultimately, it is very relaxing and leaves me at peace. I can incorporate this everyday after the workday to de-stress and let go or I can use this when I find it difficult to relax.
The loving kindness exercise allows me to love myself, others close to me, and others outside my close family circle. I find the exercise very good in removing negative responses to stressful situations. It helps me want to be compassionate and caring and I end up feeling great and with good thoughts when complete. This one can be incorporated frequently and even daily after a days work when I can find a quiet place to relax. I can use it to change a bad mood when I can find some alone time as well. If I am in a good mood this one can help keep my mood a positive one.
Elicia,
ReplyDeleteThe loving kindness would also work for me. It is true that after work is the time we feel wearied down and we may have had a bad day and thus our mind is full of those experiences. By doing the loving kindness exercise, not only are we able to get our minds clear, but I also believe that it will help to also have a positive attitude towards those people who may have made our day messy. When you mix the two exercises, total mind, body and spirit relaxation will be the fruits. All the best.
David
Elicia,
ReplyDeleteThe loving kindness and subtle mind exercise are also the two that I enjoyed the most. Actually, I really liked the subtle mind because I was able to quiet the constant stream of thoughts running through my mind on a daily basis. Those thoughts are typically what prevent me from going to sleep at night, so that exercise has by far been the most beneficial. Loving kindness helped me to identify with people that I do not love, and be able to understand and empathize with them rather than to have negative feelings towards them. I definitely have noticed a change in the way that I view others. I am more sensitive about what I say to or about them.
Thanks,
Amy
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI guess the loving kindness exercise hasn't made me identify with people I do not love, not that I love everyone, but it does help me to be more compassionate to others and feel better just for sharing a loving nature. I can see from your comments though, that maybe it's just something I hadn't thought about before. I guess it could be a bit of tolerance and a more positive note to empathize with them and less on negativity.
Thanks for sharing your point of view.
Elicia
I really do not care for the talking with the loving kindness....but as i normally do i apply my music that works for me...to share in the love that I have for others and to continue the compassion that others may need....I have opened my heart to many on difficult journeys I may not know the whole story of how they arrived at this point...but it is my duty to see them with a peaceful farewell to this physical life...and on to the next..what ever that may be for them. The ones that are left behind are those that matter now...how to go on with out that person in their lives ...it is a difficult undertaking but some how...by some strange grace I am able to provide this .....
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy the spirit dreams that allow me to let go of the mess that has clogged up my day..and release the pain that is there daily...sharing the love if compassion and caring for myself, family and close friends...and the stranger that i happen to meet along the way...they crossed my path for a reason...meet them with a gentle smile and love that shows that we care....bringing a ray of sunshine into what may have been a truly awful day for them....
Have a great week!
Elicia, I too enjoyed the loving-kindness and the subtle mind exercises. I really liked your reasons for choosing these practices and would agree that subtle mind allows me to wash away the stresses of day-to-day life. Loving kindness is also a way for me to make my life and the people around me lives better all in one motion. I also found that these were the only too that I truthfully felt comfortable performing. In addition, this is not because I don’t believe in the effects of meditation but because I too live a hectic life and don’t have very much time to spare between working and finding time to spend with my growing family. Thanks Sam
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you talked about the loving kindness exercise and being able to love yourself as well as others. I feel that can sometimes get overlooked and you focus on others. We need to be "selfish" at times and think of ourselves too. After all when you are happy with yourself you tend to be happy with others more.
ReplyDelete