Ah.....I must be in a better "frame" this week! Although the cat is again snoring (there seems to be a pattern in this) I was able to focus and center myself. The first one was correct in that your mind could wander and need to be brought back- mine could and did pretty often at first. I attributed that to a thunder storm, but then realized that I just wasn't focusing. Once I heard the indian flutes in the background, I had it. It was refreshing and relaxing but invigorating at the same time.
Loving Kindness was a really good exercise. At first, I wasn't able to put myself "there" but the more I focused, the better it went. I did notice that I was having trouble with the part where you take in the suffering and hurt and sent out wholeness and happiness. To do that, I visualized these nasty little "creatures" with bandages and evil looks and that sort of thing, and to go out, they were smiling and happy along with hearts and flowers. This may not be quite the way to do it, but it helped me get the feeling of taking in one thing and sending something else out. I wish I could draw a little sketch of my little "creatures" I can see them clearly. Again the indian flutes in the background helped me. Any time I hear them, I am right where I need to be.
I want to say that while it wasn't really difficult to follow, it will definitely take some practice to make it feel like it is a part of me. I don't know that your average person will want to or be interested in this, but for someone who wants to delve deep inside of themselves, it would be something that I would recommend. You just have to take your time, if you don't have meditative experience and let yourself go. If it doesn't work the first time, relax and try it again later in the day. s
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI loved the sound of the ocean waves - the flutes seemed to be louder and probably helped me focus on what the narrator was saying. It seems your cat is reaping the benefits! I think it is important to be relaxed and not rushed when one is performing a form of meditation.
My friend and I owned a wellness company several years ago and we had a couple of companies hire us to teach stress reduction/meditation/stretch class. Most employees were receptive and happy to have a break from their stressful jobs (or they did a good job appeasing us).
Cynthia
Susan,
ReplyDeleteit looks like you are getting the hang of this blog thing! It is good to see the meditation helps you and your testimony validates the tool for others. You described good details of your visualizations and thoughts. What was important to me was that you also illustrated how this is what worked for you and may not be the same for anyone else. Each individual will/can have a different experience and may have to try a few times for all elements to fall into place. Thanks for sharing. Joe
You are so right Joe- It has taken me several tried to start to have things fall into place. i am new to the whole health field and also to the meditative/relaxation part. The form of meditation that I practiced years ago, was while I was walking concentrating on my footsteps hitting the ground and also concentrating on the sounds of the python breathing on my shoulder. I have never tried to do it sitting relaxed and focusing on the words of another. People have told me to meditate before since I was a rather reactive person, but when I said how do I do that, was just told "do it". Shall we say that that didn't help me at all? Right now, I am concentrating on taking the time and finding what works for me. Thanks for your response.
DeleteSusan