Hi everyone,
Reflecting on the loving-kindness meditation, I found it to be an extraordinary, even cosmic, experience. I felt as I were a temporary portal that could both take in all the suffering in the world and transform it into healing. I don't mean that I felt as I was personally responsible for this. Rather, the cosmic, underlying, unifying consciousness reached out through me as I aligned myself with it and experienced myself as a spiritual being with my body as a material focal point, allowing the passage of the cosmic consciousness. If you are not into this stuff, this all probably sounds completely ridiculous and like I just turned into a trippy hippy. I used to think the same way, and I would have scorned all of this as delusional nonsense.
What is undoubtedly true is that I emerged from the meditation feeling a deep peace, and a physical and mental calm. I have been stressing about my job (my psychospiritual Achilles heel) and dreading going back to work tomorrow - and now those feelings have evaporated. I feel calm, peaceful and lighthearted, and can smile about my agitation and worry about my work. I feel connected to others, forgiving and accepting, as I feel towards myself.
It was an amazing and beautiful experience, and I would recommend it to anyone!
Just as we know repeated thoughts forge new neural pathways, effectively "rewiring" the brain, mental workouts can exercise the brain like a muscle to create healthier psychological states. I feel renewed by the loving-kindness meditation, and I bet if my brain were examined and imaged right now, it would be measurably different from before. The concept of the mental workout is to gradually effect healthier "default states" of the brain, so that we increase positive feelings and decrease negative ones. I would like to get to a point where I am not fazed by external events, and still retain my inner peace no matter what happens. I believe we can help ourselves grow towards higher stages of psychospiritual development by exercising our brains through mental workouts such as meditations. I intend to increase my practice of meditation and other such practices, to increase my psychospiritual flourishing. Whereas meditation is something I have done "when I have time", I intend, particularly as I transition out of school, to seek more fulfilling work, and enter the next phase in my life, to incorporate meditation into my life daily. I believe I will experience real and measurable benefits in my life as a result.
Have a great week, everyone!
Deb :-)
Hi Deb I too felt a peacefulness and felt I had assisted my family and friends to gain a sense of peace as well as I washed away their pain and hurts, and replaced them with a spirit of peace and joy. Getting to know your inner peace and joy helps each of us to walk in a more confident manner (such as you going back to work on Monday). I pray that the peace follows you throughout the transition from home life to work life. Continue to practice the loving-kindness meditation daily to continue to flow in the peace.
ReplyDeletePam12
Hi Pam,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your reply and your kind words. I'm so glad you also found the exercise meaningful, and I really appreciate your kind thoughts about my work life. I wish you all the best too! :-)
Deb
Hello Deb,
ReplyDeleteI really loved everything about your post. I felt much peace and a calmness in my spirit. I could let things go, that at the time was hurting me. The loving kindness exercise is a great tool to use when we want to get it all out of our system. By the way Deb, since you have done the exercise, you will be ready and full of confidence tomorrow at work. I pray also, that you continue to walk in this peace throughout the week. Best wishes to you in everything you do!
Linda
Hi Linda,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words and support! You are a great example of loving-kindness in action. I wish you peace and happiness for yourself also.
Deb :-)
Hello Deb
ReplyDelete"Cosmic" is the perfect word to use. It seems as though I almost had an out of body experience or I was taken into another space. I needed this exercise because I needed to use it to help others and in turn I was ultimately helping myself by "letting go". I was once told that if we don't exercise our brains then they lose function. Thanks for the great post.
Katice
Hi Katice,
DeleteWow! Thanks so much for your feedback, and I'm so glad you were able to get so much from the meditation.
Letting go is hard sometimes, but when we do, the things that trouble us seem to fade and we see what is really important.
Thanks again!
Deb :-)
I am glad that you were able to have such a profound experience with this exercise. I guess I am not that into this kind of healing but,I am trying something new for the second time. I have never been one to sit and just listen to my mind and body but, it's getting a little easier for me to do. I beleive that through commitment and concentration I will be able to do some sort of healing and meditation/relaxation techniques without interruption of my mind chatter.
ReplyDelete