This week we had to compare and contrast the the Loving kindness exercise and subtle mind exercise. Honestly I did not get much out of either one of the exercises really. Both seemed very similar in many ways. I guess that that would be one of my frustrations is that they all seem so similar the exercises. Maybe I am just not understanding them correctly. I understand the importance of loving and kindness and it is something I feel in my heart not so much in my mind.
One thing I have learned just in my own personal experience and not from a book is that spiritual, mental and physical wellness are all connected. Mental and Physical are very closely connected because it takes a lot of mental power to work our physically. Meaning getting the sometimes motivation to do it and then also having the ability to push yourself through a hard workout. For example I run half marathons and there is point in which your mind thinks that you can’t go any farther. You learn to use your mental power to push past it because you really know what you can handle. In running before a race I always pray, mainly to my grandfather asking him to be with me as I run. It gives me a mental peace before I run and is a way for me to calm my mind and nerves before a race and it makes me happy thinking about how proud he would be of me.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteThey seem the same, because they pretty much are. As is meditation. There are subtle differences. But in a nut shell the goal is pretty much the same. For me I like to focus on the breathing. It is my go to for so many things in life. Maybe because I have studied yoga so much, or I taught prenatal yoga where we did a heck a lot of breathing. But it works. Perhaps to the point that I annoy others with my deep breaths or heavy sighs. I think the problem is that they are too long for beginners. Five minutes is even a long time. So be patient. Meditation does not come easy.
Running is a great meditation. Putting one foot in front of the other. See, you do what works for you. Next time you run, notice if anything has changed with the tools we gain from this class.
Be well,
Sarajane (I'm doing seven miles this weekend.)
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI found the two files to be similar, but only in the sense that they are both meditative/relaxation techniques. Those just aren't for everyone! How do you meditate/relax?
Cheers!
Beth
***_Well hello there Julie, I hope that you have had the chance to practice these exercises a second time or so, because maybe just maybe you’ll see deeper into them, which shall surface the true difference and purpose amongst the exercises. I love your honesty, because that’s always the best path to walk on upon all directions in life. Since you already feel loving-kindness within your heart, it’s also there within your mind. Thus, once you tap into your thoughts upon loving-kindness, there and only there, you’ll unlock the tunnel, which leads to your heart that’ll warmth your inner self (leaving you with a smile in which you would want others to share with you).
ReplyDelete*Lee~