The mental fitness practices of Loving Kindness and the Subtle mind are both exceptional in providing calm and peace. I have practiced both of them now and have enjoyed each differently. I found the Subtle mind practice to be a good foundation for allowing the concept of Loving Kindness to develop. Learning to use my breathe has been a concept in my meditation for some time. It is a way to refocus myself when I get distracted or bored and it also is a way to improve my lung strength when walking or exercising.
The Loving Kindness practice was a little hard to do prior to the Subtle mind practice. It wasn't feeling it...not very loving. After obtaining a more relaxed and peaceful state of mind, then the loving came easily. It felt like a nature state of mind.
For myself, using the meditation in my exercise has allowed me to do more with less effort. I find myself doing mindful walking, a process of paying attention to my body, my mind (watching it wander around), and sometimes a spiritual connection to the earth and all things around me. Understanding the when my mind is calm, my heart-rate is lower, and my body feels less anxious. It has become a daily practice for me during the stressful times of school, work, life...
What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?
Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way. The Subtle mind practice was easier to begin with. After the Subtle mind practice, the Loving-Kindness practice felt more natural.
You give a wonderful example of mindful exercise with your description of mindful walking. I really like the idea of mindful exercise, it seems very efficient.
Sherry
I think the concept of focusing on the breathing as the focal point rather than another object is really connected to the practices associated with mindfulness techniques as well... they really work and put you "in the moment" -- it seems like when we put ourselves in that positioning it stills the spirit and mind as well as the body and that then allows a higher state of revelation or consciousness, which alters our perspective and makes us more able to receive and give light, love and understanding.
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