I don’t know why but after the loving kindness meditation exercise I felt really good about things going on in my life. It’s funny that as I was engaging in this exercise I really thought that I was a forgiving person, that I didn’t hold grudges and possessed no anger towards people who have been less than kind or even mean to me. I was wrong; it was initially difficult to even imagine health, happiness, and wholeness for some people who have been a part of my life, not to mention wishing I could assist them with it. It was equally surprising that this realization was actually the key I needed to release the unknown animosity I was harboring for these specific few individuals. It was a very refreshing epiphany that I’m positive did far greater good for my own health, happiness, and wholeness than it ever could for them. Just for fun though, I may engage in a little sociological experiment of my own and find out what might happen if I make the effort and show them universal loving kindness as this exercise suggests.
The first exercise pretty much flowed into the second for me. The fact that I was holding more of a grudge than I had thought, and a little more anger for injustices done to me held on a little as I began the second part of this assignment. I was happy that it was my spiritual being that was in the most need of growth and that I am also ready for spiritual growth.
Jay,
ReplyDeleteI think most of the class felt the same way about the first exercise; it changed the way we felt about ourselves. For me, I would have to agree with you. I felt different about myself, but I found it just a little hard to remember the phrases, so I just remembered the main words. I have a problem with forgiving people or myself, and that is because of a rough childhood. Anger for myself and others was definitely something that was brought up for me to, but I am glad that you were happy that you want your spiritual being is in need of growth.
~Nancy
Very good post made me think about some things. I have to agree with you on the forgiving part I also had a hard time forgiving in the exercise. I was trying to find all the reasons in the world to forgive someone. I do not know if it was because I really did not hold a grudge or I just could not figure out how to forgive them. It is interesting learning about my own mind and how it works.
ReplyDeleteHi Jay,
ReplyDeleteThe same as you, many people find it difficult to have positive thoughts toward individuals that have been hurtful to them at some point. I, of course include myself on that group. However, we are pursuing a goal “Reaching our Integral Health” and that goal is making us exploring many aspects of our life and doing many changes that we probably felt impossible to achieve at the beginning of this class. I feel happy for your initiative of seeking spiritual growth; I wish you the best and please keep us posted on your findings. =)
Maria Ximena