I found this exercise more difficult than previous ones. I think because I had such a stressful week that it made it difficult to focus. In one way it made me a little depressed because when I was thinking of someone I love I immediately thought of my fiance, and due to circumstances in my life it makes it difficult for us to be together as much as we want to be.
Working in the office that I work in I am surrounded by women who are suffering from breast cancer. In one respect I wish there was more that I could do for them, but on the other hand I do have to keep some sort of distance or it would completely burn me out.
I know that you get out of the universe what you put in. If you put loving-kindness out there you will get loving kindness back. I think is difficult for many people as everyone is so stressed and it can be difficult to try to stay calm and keep a good attitude.
The mental workout according to Dacher can take as little as 15 minutes a day and I do believe that if you stuck to this practice you could change your entire way of thinking. I wish I could say that I could commit to this right now, I really think it would do me good, but my mind is too busy and right now I do not think I have the motivation that I need. I do believe that once I am done this term and do not have to worry about papers and tests I will pull this book out again and really concentrate on it, because I do believe that what you think you get and if you believe in something it will be there.
Donna,
ReplyDeleteWhen I did the exercise the first time at the begginging of the week it did not work out so well for me either. I waited until this morning and I did it again. I liked it a little better than the first time I listened to it although you are correct it did make me feel a little sad. It made me bring out feelings that I dont usually show to anyone.
Sherri
Hi Donna, I can relate to Sherri's comment about the exercise not going well the first time but seeing a definite improvement when trying again. Not that it was much of an improvement for me but anything is good, just the attempt is good I believe. I understand what you are saying about having more time after term and I do hope you are able to find it. With so much posting, discussing, exercises, tests, 100 pages of reading per class, and blogging mixed with work, family I wonder how any of us get it done. I do nothing but go to my CNA class and do homework. My relaxation exercises are done as my homework. I'm not sure that I go into them with the thought of them being truly for me because I know I have to get it done to get my analysis in on time. Hang in there and I hope you are able to find more time for you and your fiancee as well.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteStress can truly complicate our lives and make relaxation exercises and mental workouts that much more difficult to accomplish. Do you feel that if you did not have a stressful week that you could have accomplished this exercise more effectively? What can you do to prevent stress from overcoming your goals?
This week at work was extremely stressful for me as well and I found it difficult to remember to emit loving-kindness. People were being awful to one another all around me and the atmosphere was overwhelming. I think determination in the morning and establishing a quite place at work to walk away to for even 5 minutes to destress helps.
I believe you have a great attitude about knowing that what you put into the world is what you get back. Keep your focus and I hope that your circumstances change for the better soon so you can be with your fiance!
Great post!
Donna, I am with you I can see the possibilities of using these techniques when I am not so bogged down with trying to put 32 hours in a 24 hour day. I do find them helpful and beneficial. I do believe that they have the ability to change a persons life. I do look forward to incorporating as much as I can now and setting a side more time when it is available. So much you said, makes good sense to me.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteWhen I first did the exercise I couldn't quite grasp the feeling of it because I was trying to rush through and had so many things on my mind that it felt as though I didn't know how to stop my mind from going ninety to nothing. I tried it again the next day and put myself in a different environment and just really focused on what was being said. Because I have so much going on in my life it is sometimes hard for me to sit and do this kind of exercise but I can say it helped me out so much. Even though for me it meant crying I felt cleansed when I was done. I enjoyed reading your post and can completely understand where you are coming from. Thanks for sharing!
Luna