If I had to choose just two practices that I have learned, they would have to be Loving-Kindness and meditation. The Loving-Kindness practice taught me how to be more patient, kind, and less judgmental. It has helped me in tempering the occasional quick attitude. I have found many ways to implement this practice on a daily basis. One of my biggest complaints about others I interact with usually happens on the road. There are so many inconsiderate people around me and they don’t know how to drive, that was my typical attitude before beginning the practice. I have geared my energy the other way. Instead of the negativity, I just imagine them as myself and they are just trying to get home to their families just as I am, and think about how bad their day could have been. Maybe they got let go from work, maybe they received bad news from home. I have even begun re-routing my path home to avoid the stress, and see others in a more positive way. As people continue to challenge me, I will find ways to turn it into a positive and challenge my minds to find more creative ways to cope.
Meditation has been incredibly helpful; it helps to quiet my mind and spirit at the end of the day. It has given me the time I need to cleanse the worries of the day, become relaxed enough to sleep through the night, and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. By adding another session in the morning and eventually during the busy day, I can find that stress is so low, it is not readily apparent. I can learn new meditation practices to ensure a well-rounded program. It can help me continue to flourish in my journey to health, happiness, and wholeness.
Warm Regards,
Jenn
Hi Jenn, Its interesting that you picked loving kindeness to help "tame" any attitude flare ups. I thought the loving kindness exercise would help me the most because of my short fuse. I really thought a short temper was one of my biggest challenges. I found that learning how to meditate and just calm my mind has helped me to be a calmer in general under all situations. I'm wondering if I should give the loving-kindess exercise another shot now just to see how I react to things now after getting the hang of meditating. Great blog.
ReplyDeleteHello Jenn,
ReplyDeleteWe are coming to a close and I am acutely aware of how much I am going to miss your insight into the exercises. You are an inspiration to me. Keep up the good work.
I have found myself, through the use of Cognitive Behavior Therapy that the rage and stress that we feel towards others when driving is exceptionally harmful for us. Not only does the excess stress lower our immune system (Dacher, 2006) but is may also lead us to distractions that can be harmful to us while driving. Being all honked off at another driver and shaking your fist or giving them the finger (not that you would ever do that), could possibly distract us from being aware of an emergent situation, that if we were paying attention, we could have avoided. I think it is important for all of use to put ourselves in the shoes of the bothersome driver and realize there may be a valid reason they are driving the way they are. It could save our life. Miditation and Loving Kindness are both useful exercises to help us.
I admire and am envious that you are able to implement meditation in a way that it positively impacts your daily life. Again, keep up the good work.
Rufus J.
Reference
Dacher, E.S., (2006). Integral health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Hello Jenn,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your plan. It is so comforting to know that you have a plan and will continue to work toward a healthier, more flourishing Jenn. I am pleased to see that you are in such remarkable health in the Body, the Mind and the Spirit. I can certainly tell in your Blogs that you take your health seriously. I hope that you continue to flourish when this class is over and for many, many years to come.
What has been the hardest art of the class for you. You seem so disciplined that I can not imagine what it could be. It seem that you are pretty strong willed and not easily swayed. When you have met your current goal, will you stop or will you put new goals in place?
Warmest regards,
Rufus J.