Hello,
The loving-kindness exercise was very intriguing. My experience was average. It reminded me of my first go around with meditation. It was definitely out of my comfort zone. Like any new practice, it will take time to experience the full benefits. Meditation was a hard practice for me at first, but through diligence and some frustration I have implemented it into my daily routine and the benefits have been fantastic. I would guess that the loving-kindness practice will yield similar results in the future. I would definitely recommend it to others. Any practice that helps with mental growth and balance is worth passing along to others.
The concept of a mental workout requires a daily commitment to improving our psychospiritual life. The more we practice, the more strength we gain. The benefits will most certainly follow. The mental workout can be compared to a physical workout. The more physical exercise an individual participates in, the more benefits will be present. Carving out time every day to practice those psychospirtitual workouts will improve greatly. The more frequent the workouts, the longer they will tend to go as you build confidence and foster growth.
- Randy
HI Randy, I found this exercise a bit difficult to follow. I thought that taking in others pain and suffering to be hard to do. I have not been meditating all that long but, I am practicing. I find it to be difficult at times and my mind wonders to much then I become fustrated with myself and give up. What would you suggest to someone who has this problem? What are your thoughts and advice on how to stay focused?
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Hey Randy,
ReplyDeleteI have mixed emotions about loving kindness too. Most parts I was able to follow and enjoy. I found myself almost refusing to listen to the parts I found undesireable, like breathing in strangers pain and suffering. I just don't wanna do it. For me this meditation is a mental workout, because I have found clear obstacles. I suppose I need to define who is a stranger to me. What is wrong with just being present for strangers on occasion, when there is time, and it's not too wierd? Why do we have to breathe in their pain and suffering? Maybe the next time I try it, I will have to pay attention and figure these questions out.
Randy, I first one to thank you for a nice comment you posted on my blog. It was about how people can look at you and may see a perfect picture but it is not what matches up inside. Now on your post about the experience with meditation, did you start this when we begun the class or before? I'm just curious because you said it was a bit frustrating in the beginning but now it is a daily thing that you do. I feel like I make excuses to not make this a daily thing for me. Ahhhh I will get there! I want to :)
ReplyDelete