Subtle Mind vs Loving Kindness
When I began the subtle mind exercise I really enjoyed listening to the sound of the water. Just the thought of listening to water, just makes me want to drift..lol! I just had problems staying focus on my breathing and not allowing my mind to wander off. I really do not know why, but every time I tried to focus...I could smell popcorn...or I would get lost thinking about some ministry trip. I believe that this exercise is one that I am going to do again, because I feel that it is suppose to help every area in me....I like both of the tapes, but I think that the loving kindness for me was great, because I got to pull a lot of the hurt that I was feeling away from me, at the time I was going through a lot of pain, trying to deal with going through an abusive divorce after almost 20 years. I was so peaceful in the loving kindness exercise and while I was listening to my the water..a sense of calmness and peace fell on me. I think also I was more relaxed. Also, a loved one in my family had recently passed, and I was able to let go of the pain I felt during his passing.
The connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness is manifested through my personal life in everything I do. Each and every day, I pray, read my Bible, and do my best to encourage, uplift, and help to strengthen others where they have been torn down. Even for me, I am not up to par all the time, and I need others to help me along the way. My strong faith in God, and good friends, and family, help me to stay strong, spiritually, mentally and physically. I need to be healthy and whole. So I have to always work on myself in these areas.
Hi Spiritfree777 I agree the loving-kindness practice was good as it allowed us to take in and release the pain and hurts that affect the way we think and live(in our subconscious). letting go and brething peace and healing into those hurts was/is great. The subtle mind exercise was a good way to breathe in the good of peace and quietness and let the worries of the day melt away. If we can walk with loving-kindness and calm-abiding daily then as we meet people that that same sense of peace and goodness will radiate out to them. At least that is what I would love to do.
ReplyDeletePam12
Thanks for the warm and fuzzy comments! Your pictures are amazing. You'd have fun in my yard. I've got butterflies and hummingbirds. I've been babysitting my two, under two, grandkids all weekend so I've had no sleep! But I'm trying to get caught up on reading the blogs. I'm really confused about the popcorn. Is that a fantasy or something? Do you love the stuff? I always get a stomach ache when I eat it but I do love the smell.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing what you've been going through and I'm sorry for your troubles. I wish you lots of strength and wisdom to get through it all.
Like you, I found the Loving-Kindness exercise easier for some reason. It felt profoundly healing to me, and - also thanks to your kind words - I started my week feeling full of love and positivity.
For some reason, I didn't connect with the Subtle Mind exercise as well. I was a bit agitated (I had some bad news I was trying not to worry about) and I felt the lack of something to focus on, because my mind kept coming back to my worries. This is reactive thinking and I don't want negative emotions dictating my responses, I want to develop the ability to use intentionality to remain peaceful no matter what is going on externally. It's a challenge though, and I have a way to go, like most people! :-)
Thanks for including the beautiful pictures of butterflies! You are a very uplifting person and I wish you lots of peace and happiness.
Deb
Good for you that you were able to use the loving kindness exercise to help you let go of the pain you were feeling during that person’s passing. Loosing ones we love and are close to is very hard and sometimes people never truly let go or get over those life changing events.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a very positive and uplifting person to be around since you said that you try and help others who have been torn down and encourage and uplift them. I give you a huge kudos for that! I think in this day and age it is hard to find people who truly want to help people for no other benefit of just doing it.
I am glad that you have a strong faith along with good friends and family that help you stay strong spiritually, mentally, and physically. Not everyone can say that. I hope you know how lucky and blessed you truly are to have those things in your life!
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. I'll say a prayer for you and your family. Despite all of your troubling times you seem to have great energy and I love it. I can definitely identify with you with the exercise we had to complete because I liked this one better as well... although I didn't smell popcorn ;-). I loved your pictures as well; they gave me a sense of peace and calm. All in all, thank you for the great post and continue to stay strong.
Katrice