The first part
was to practice the Universal Loving-Kindness mediation. We were to close our
eyes for a minute or two, rest into the natural ease of our mind and body and
repeat the following phrases for 10 minutes:
May all
individuals gain freedom from suffering.
May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.
May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.
May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.
May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.
May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.
May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.
This exercise was very nurturing, healing
and therapeutic for me. Embracing and asking for collective happiness, health
and wholeness brings a sense of calm and peace to my soul.
Assess the four aspects of integral health which are:
psycho-spiritual, biological, interpersonal and worldly. Then, determine which
aspect in your life needs more attention.
I realized that
the area that needs my attention the most is interpersonal. This area
encompasses interpersonal relationship with family and community. At work,
being too honest and reacting to situations too fast has caused me stress at
work and with co-workers. I need to learn not to react so fast and observe my
behaviors and my thoughts first, and then act. Also I need to practice the art
of silence more often. Also, I need to focus and improve my relationship with
my teenage son. He is at a very difficult stage in life with multiple pressures
and I need to find the time to listen and help him with his problems. Also I need
to improve my listening skills without being judgmental of actions or behaviors.
The most important contemplative practice that I can implement to improve this
area is meditation, physical exercise, and calm-abiding and loving-kindness exercises.
Once I am able to meet my goals my interpersonal relationships will begin to
flourish.
It sounds like you have really gained alot from the meditation practices and understanding the aspects of your life that you want to work on. i found the exercise to be a bit difficult at first becasue I still havent mastered the taming of mental chatter but Im working on it. I think that if I can do these exercises more often it will actually teach me patience as well as relaxation. Lots of luck o your journey to peace and whoelness. :)
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your openness and honesty. What I have found to help me when I have difficulty in my life that works is prayer. I would pray for God to order my steps everyday and to curb my tongue and reconnect you to your son. The things you are learning in this class could also be beneficial to your son if he is open to it and if you are a believer then reconnecting or strengthening your and your son's relationship with whom ever you believe in may helpful as well. God has worked in my life especially once I realized and understood how to use his word in my life. Blessings
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