I have found that by practicing loving-kindness I can send out positive thoughts for someone I know and even those I don't. I am unsure at this point if it is working for the folks I don't know, naturally I guess I wouldn't. I have been witness to it working for at least 1 person I tried it on as they have been more open and receptive to me and how I am evolving. I would like to be able to practice this at least 3 times a week for the rest of my life and I hope that I do as I feel invigorated and like I am changing the world a little bit at a time. As it stands now I am able to do so but hopefully circumstances will change for the better and I may not have the same amount of time to dedicate to this practice.
I also found benefit in the subtle mind practice, although I will require more practice to really get it. I hope to one day achieve total enlightenment, I started looking for it when I began practicing yoga. I do think this is a good path to achieve it even if I never do I believe in it and know it is there. My mind may never agree or quiet/still long enough for it to happen but the journey itself is something to cherish. As aforementioned I hope to have enough time and space to dedicate to this practice.
Once I am certified to teach yoga I hope to have a few classes dedicated to practicing loving-kindness and the subtle mind. I am far from an expert but I hope to be able to assist others who may seek a personal time-out to just be still and be. I still have another year at Kaplan before I get my BS in Health & Wellness but I hopefully will continue to learn a lot more about meditation, without infringing on christian beliefs, and how to be more at ease with myself and encourage others to do the same.
Everyday is a gift and I think all of us have something to share with the world, at least the part that is listening. I believe more and more people are coming together in love and kindness and acceptance and moving away from tolerance. I think a key point in being at peace with yourself is being at peace with the people around you. If we are able to look inside and instead of feeling like controlling our emotions it will just happen, like hearing wind chimes or a light breeze and we will be overcome with happiness, pure happiness, and we will then be able to extend ourselves in a way we will want to be everyday.
I am now coming down from the mountaintop and I wish you all, even those that don't read this, peace, love, light, and blessings...Namaste
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI think it is real cool that you are inspiring to teach yoga. For a long time I thought yoga was not for me, but then I got injured and had to resort to some kind of light rehab during my rehab process I took up yoga, and it was very beneficial for me. I felt more refreshed after class and had more energy. Personally, I didn't like the loving-kindness exercise, but I did enjoy the subtle mind exercise.
I also found that the loving-kindness and subtle mind exercise was beneficial as well. I agree, the loving-kindness exercise does help send out positive thoughts for people. It helped me to let go and get over things, but I really enjoyed this exercise, it's one of the best ones we did. I'm glad you found which exercises worked for you. I think I'm going to start by doing these once a week, then gradually increasing my time, it's not much but it's a start.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, I have found that the loving kindness exercise is beneficial in a way that it brings you to a state of mind to connect with those you love. But I have also found that the meditation exercise to be very beneficial also. I signed up for a yoga class that I will be starting in two weeks, I have been wanting to do this for a long time I think this will be good for me. good luck and wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen:
ReplyDeleteThe more I learn about yoga, the more I am thinking about teaching, but I have soooo much to learn.
Anyway - I really liked the subtle mind, but really like the visualization exercise. The loving-kindness exercise is the one that really makes my day so much easier. I feel better inside when I think more positive about people, and when I show them kindness. People respond to a smile when their day is going lousy, and they love a kind word. Who doesn't? When did we give up being kind to just being? Why do we allow life to do this to us? I am excited knowing that I've learned these exercises and that I can help myself and others as a result of learning them. Namaste back to you! Blessings!
Hello Jen!
ReplyDeleteBoth the subtle mind and the loving kindness exercises will greatly help out with Yoga, and help you feel more connected with it. They are both extremely great exercises for directing the energy you need to yourself before you do Yoga, and for directing the energy outward after you do Yoga. Both are meditative processes, which can ease the body, mind, and spirit, and allow wholeness. We utilized a lot of similar techniques in martial arts before and after class for the same purpose. Hopefully you will be able to teach Yoga soon, as I'm sure that will be quite exciting! You will have to let us know how the loving kindness and subtle mind exercises work for you and your students!