This was the exercise I needed so badly today! My mind has been racing with all the things I need to get done before I move to Portland this weekend, so it was nice to quiet the mind and bring it back to its peaceful center with this exercise. I enjoyed this exercise much more than the loving kindness exercise for a few reasons. First, I was feeling much better, so it was easier to focus on the mind instead of only on the physical body. Second, I am very familiar with this exercise since I've been practicing this technique for the last few years. And lastly, this exercise was easier because it was all about my own energy and mind and not working with the energies of other people. Let me explain a bit since that makes me sound very selfish. For the last few years since my divorce, I have done nothing but give everything I am to everyone else including family, friends, and perfect strangers. After three years of that, I hit my breaking point and had a complete emotional and physical breakdown that left me wasted, weak, and exhausted. My whole life I've been a giver instead of a receiver, so I've been working on shifting that energy to more of a balance. Life is more fulfilling when you give, but you have to receive in order to keep your cup filled as well. Today was not a day where I slipped into the unity consciousness, but I have many times in the past. However, I did reach the calm abiding consciousness where my mind was still and peaceful. There was a brief time towards the end where I focused on some loving kindness energy towards myself. I find that it's also very important to thank yourself for all the wonderful things you do, so I did some of that as well.
Hi Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI really loved your last line of how very important it is to "Thank Yourself." I can see now how in the past I was my own worst enemy when it came to taking myself for granted. I thought I had to be the "be all and end all" for everyone in order for them to love me. Since I started back to school in the health and wellness field, I almost feel like have I been able to take a case study of myself. Don't get me wrong...I love helping others! I just had to realize that I wanted to help myself as well and others(and that this was OK). Because I have made my education a top priority in my life, I have learned that I am not selfish for thinking this way. It took me a while, but I am getting there day by day.
It is when I complete a semester and look back, that I understand who I should thank for the outcome. I share it with the professor and myself.
Thanks to your blog, I have placed my sticky notes around my house and my desk at work..."Thank Me". It is a great reminder of what I do for others and finally for myself as well.
Thanks for the insight!
Peace
Deb
Hi Rhonda:
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you that it is very important that we learn to receive from others just as we give to others. It has taken me a very long time to understand that as well because I am also a giver and don't know how to receive, What I have realized is that we have to humble ourselves to receive and let others reward them selves with the feel good model as they give to us just as we reward our selves as we give to others.
As I was reading about the subtle mind I realized that I was doing what I read and that I was able to concentrate better on my reading.
Great Post and God Bless you
Jackie
Thanks Ladies for disclosing your insight, what happens when you do not take time out for yourselves and allow yourself to receive rather than always being on the giving side. I also thank you for illustrating the importance of thanking yourself.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Mark