The Loving-Kindness Exercise, to be honest, was both challenging and beneficial for me. When I focused on someone who showed amazing love in their life as well as someone I greatly loved, it was hard for me to focus because the person I focused on was my mother. She passed away almost two years ago but she was the most loving, caring, kind, wise woman I have ever known. Besides my husband she was my very best friend. So, sadness seemed to kind of overtake me at the moment since I had to go so deep in my reflections of her. I know if I let it though those remembrances will strengthen me and encourage me to be like her.
The person closest to me that I know who is suffering is my father. This was hard to focus on as well because he is suffering because of the loss of my mother. It is hard to remember his pain. I found myself slipping into prayer without even noticing so I decided to make that part of my whole exercise when dealing with someone more distantly connected with me and those who I guess I would consider my enemies ( I wish I could find a better word than that).
On the bright side, this exercise definitely encouraged me in the fact that I was practicing loving-kindness to others at least in a mental way where I believe loving-kindness to others starts. I think that when I resolve to change something in my life, whether it is an attitude or a specific way of life, I will do this exercise so that I can practice doing it mentally and resolving to do it mentally before I attempt it physically. I had never really thought of doing a specific exercise to help with this but I believe it is going to work well. The Bible says that the thoughts of a man are the product of his heart. If we can make our heart and consequently our mind/thoughts right then our actions will be right and loving as well.
Hi Leah,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your mother. You are way to young to have lost her. On a lighter note, it is wonderful that you have a best friend in your husband and a little one to love as well.
As hard as it is to realize, all we have is one day at a time. Sometimes it is really a moment to moment life. Slipping in to prayer is a great asset that people have to get them through the hard times.
I have a really good friend who has lost people who are very close to her. She suffers so. Although she is on many prescription medications in order to overcome her depression, and she attends yoga classes regularly, she still suffers.
As a friend and a believer in God, I have asked her if she would like to pray with me. It is sad that lost her trust in God. She is just so angry and sad right now, she cannot seem to get past this (5 years). I have been sharing some of the meditation practices that we have been learning, and it is great to see her positive reaction to these activities.
It is through you Bible reference that I can see her heart beginning to change. And I am grateful.
Great Post
Deb
I am so sorry about your friend Deb! If there is anything I can do to help or if it would help at all if she wanted to talk to me I would be glad to talk to her! Losing someone you love can utterly break your heart and different people react differently. It is never the same for everyone but there is a common thread of understanding for those who have lost loved ones I think. I will keep her in my prayers as well and I am so glad that she has a friend like you that is helping her! Keep up the good work and hopefully she will continue to improve with you and God helping her!
ReplyDelete-Leah
....and thank you so much for your encouraging words! Every encouraging word helps me feel better! : )
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