I entered this exercise feeling stressed that I wasn't going to get the post completed before the Saturday night deadline as required by the course. I didn't receive the CD until late last night and I was committed to an event all day today so by the time I got home, I wasn't sure how much time I would have to actually listen to the CD and then complete this post. At this point, I'm not sure but the post may be late.
Regarding the loving kindness meditation, I did not enjoy it. Regardless of the reason, whether stress was a factor or not, having someone tell me how I'm supposed to feel I found uncomfortable. I enjoy most meditations and I find the relaxation stage easy to achieve but I was unable to just "go" to the emotion the loving kindness meditation was asking me to feel.
Regarding the subtle mind mental workout, Track 3, initially I found it easy to stay focused on my breath but then about 4 1/2 minutes into the recording the meditation ended and was replaced with nothing but static. I turned the volume way down and continued to listen, hoping the static would be short-lived. The balance of track 3 was nothing but static. I stopped the CD, checked it for scratches (finding none), and tried to play it again - with the same result. Once the recording reached Track 4, the author's voice returned.
Mary
Hey Mary,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you had such a hard time with this exercise. The first time I did track 3 and the static hit, I thought the world ended! It took me by total, utter surprise. Not a good experience. The good thing about meditation is you don't have to keep doing the ones you don't like. It would defeat the purpose.
I hope your stress levels have decreased since you wrote and you are once again feeling at ease.
Hello Mary, I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the "Loving-Kindness" meditation exercise. I found it interesting, relaxing, and beneficial. I am quite new to mental imagery and visualization, but you are right...one needs to be discriminate about mental training. What works for some may not work for others. At the moment, I am open-minded to the exercises supplemented by this course. I want to learn what works well for me. From your blog I have learned that mental training is subjective. I hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI was actually stressed as well because my post is really late (I was out of the country). Earlier I was very stressed about it because I have so much to catch up on, but I realized its not worth my stress and after these exercises, I'm not really stressed about it anymore. I understand how you feel about the first exercise. It is kind of weird to have someone tell you how to feel. I thought the exercise was okay. I did like the tracks on the CD. It was a great exercise for relaxation and to think positive thoughts. Even though you didn't enjoy the first exercise, at least you can say you tried it. Take care.
Jamie
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you had such a difficult time with this particular exercise. It could have been the stress that blocked you from being able to completely let go and experience the loving kindness activity.
Maybe the next exercise will yeild more positive results.
Gigi
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI am glad I am not the only one that did not enjoy this exercise. I feel better about it now as you do this type of thing for a living and did not find it enjoyable. Here I was starting to think I was the freak of the class for not liking it or finding it beneficial. I am sorry you had a stressful day and felt under pressure to get this one done. That never helps. We have all had those days and weeks, and I hope that you find a much better experience in the weeks to come and some peace and relaxation to go with it.
Jenn