Hi, everyone.
I'm sure by now that few people will be surpirsed when I say that I didn't particularly care for the "Loving Kindness" meditation exercise. I just find that I have a significant amount of trouble actually listening and staying focused to the guided meditation activities, regardless of the situation I put myself in. I tried multiple times, in multiple different environments and just really struggled to "get into it."
I will say that the cadence of the narrator was much easier to listen to than the other activities we have done thus far, which was a pleasant surprise; however, the pauses were too long for me, though I recognize their purpose in allowing the listener to contemplate the previous set of instructions. I think this exercise might possibly benefit someone who is struggling with a viewpoint that there is no one who can help them with their problems becuase the focus of the meditation seems to be about recentering your perceptions of yourself and those around you. There is a saying that I have heard many times from many sources: pain shared is pain halved. I have always taken this to mean that the act of someone listening to another's problems and attempting to help solve them makes the burden seem easier to bear.
As a part of a mental workout, I would venture to say that this exercise is as good as any other, provided the individual undertaking it is temperamentally suited to utilizing guided meditation in order to achieve a goal of mental fitness. Much in the same way that no two physical workouts are the same, mental workouts should be highly individualized and tailored to the individual who will utilize them. While mental workouts can help increase the ability of the mind to venture down certain paths and to change mental habits into more positive ones, it is only effective if it is sustainable and tolerable for the individual.
-Joy Clark
I'm glad to see that I am not the only one who does not like these exercises. When I get stressed I cannot sit in total silence and listen to some audio or waves crashing, when I get stressed or frustrated I like to go and pop in a comedy and the laughing relaxes me. I get really stressed out when people talk nonstop and won’t leave me to myself and I think that is one reason why I don’t like these exercises, I do not want someone talking to me nonstop even if it is trying to relax me. I would relax a lot more if the audio had two people talking to each other and I just sat back and listened to them talk but to have someone talk directly to me like that is very annoying and I could barely get through it. I’m really hoping that these exercises get better and hopefully for your sake you start enjoying them too.
ReplyDeleteJoy that was a great blog! Craig your comment is interesting also. I liked what both of you had to say, Joy I really like the pain shared is pain halved, I had never heard that before. You are absolutely right, when one can talk to someone else it really does relieve a load off the shoulders. Craig, I love the idea of relaxing to two people having a conversation, that is a great idea. That could be a great marketing idea to look into, I figure no one is alone in this world, if someone feels a certain way there is no doubt thousands of others who feel the same way. I have to say because I am a beginner with the meditation I really need the guided meditation, but I too think I would enjoy a two person conversation cd also. I wish you both the very best and hope you both find an exercise this term that is beneficial:) Have a peaceful weekend!
ReplyDeleteHello Joy, I agree that one must find the technique that works for the individual. This exercise was the first effective one for me in the guided imgary. I am more of a self visualaziton kind of girl. As a matter of fact, I have naturally used visualization as a way to settle myself and focus. This technique has helped me and continues to help me in many situations in life including focusing on school work. Mental training comes in many forms and we just need to figure out what works best for us.
ReplyDeleteJoy I was totally with you on the loving kindess exercise. I really didn't enjoy it no matter how hard I tried to get into it. Oh well, I know that everthing I try may not be great for me but at least we tried!I think the good thing about this is that we are exposed to various techniques and that what does not work for us may work for someone else. As always great sharing with you. Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteJoy,
ReplyDeleteI think we had similar reactions to the love-kindness exercise. It is very hard for me to clear my mind for that long and stay focused, especially when the point of the exercise is to relax your mind. I also think you make a very good point about these exercises benefiting people who may not have support. My sister is a great example. She is battling cancer right now and she has isolated herself from the family. But what she finds most relaxing is taking a walk in the park and listening to exercises like these. She says it helps clear her mind. Maybe I can not focus on these exercises as well because I do not feel I need them.