Choose two practices that you have determined to be most
beneficial. How can you implement these practices in your personal life to
foster “mental fitness”?
1.
Subtle
Mind: I like exercises focusing on the breath. There are a few things about
this exercise in particular that I like. First, it can be done anytime, anywhere
and for any length of time – the versatility is great. For me, the mental
chatter can be so loud and distracting at times; it can feel like I am actually
being pulled in several different directions at the same time. In addition to
the mental benefits, I like how physically relaxing this exercise can be. Hopefully
with continued dedication to doing this exercise daily I will be able to
increase my focus and not be so easily distracted.
2.
Loving
Kindness: at first I really disliked this exercise. I still cannot honestly say
that I like it but I understand it better now and with that understanding has
come an appreciation for what it seeks to accomplish (especially the first part
of the exercise). For a long time I suppressed emotions; I subconsciously thought
that feeling nothing would be better than feeling as lousy as I otherwise tended
to feel. Allowing and encouraging myself to feel, even good things, is often
difficult. So even though I still have trouble with this exercise I think it
will be beneficial for me to continue doing it.
Hello Wren...please keep doing these exercises even when the class is over. They really do help. I know what you mean about suppressing emotions. I walked that walk for years, as it was so easy to stuff it all away, dealing with it hurt too bad. I have learned, though, that keeping that all inside is going to eat you alive. Take baby steps, like I did. Go outside, look at a beautiful sky, a flower, a bird flying by and let yourself smile. Once you take baby steps you are on your way! You are a very strong woman and you are going to school..Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement! It is nice to know that someone else has been there too. I think your suggestion of using nature is a perfect starting place for me. I am so much more comfortable out in the woods or fields than I am with lots of people around. I am not sure how to express my thoughts here but suffice it to say I would like to be able to have that content feeling more often and it is worth working for.
DeleteHi Wren,
ReplyDeleteI also did not like the loving kindness exercise and did not see a difference in doing it. Thinking about it now, it is probably more beneficial for me to do practice it because it can promote understanding different ways of meditation and why it could be beneficial for others as well. This would be good to consider practicing for future clients.
I also found the subtle mind exercise was very fulfilling and relaxing. It could be done anywhere and doesn’t need a great amount of time to do.
I have noticed a difference in myself practicing some of these meditations and I’m glad that you have found one that you enjoy doing as well as one you do not really like. Having one you do not care for is a good thing, because you can learn to like it and understand it from a different point of view.
Nellie
I can agree with you in saying that i was not sold on this initially, but over time, I have grown to appreciate this as well. I think that just trying to spin something on positive light helps the way we process things, and it also helps our general outlook.
ReplyDelete