As I listened to the loving kindness track, I thought I could follow along, It is a meditation bringing awareness to a loved one. I had a moment where I was able to remember happy times of my son's younger days. A time where I held him in my arms and fed him a bottle, the way he looked at me with his big blue eyes. I remembered our bond. Something I had missed for a while (He is currently 18)(18 is far more challenging than terrible 2's). For this recollection, I would recommend the exercise. Moving on to breathing in his suffering, and exhaling love and health. This concept is new to me. Because it is my son that I thought of, because he is part of me, it was no chore. Some family members that I love, but could not fathom breathing in their suffering, I wouldn't even share a drink with most of them. Taking in peoples pain, suffering and who knows what is out of my comfort zone. I am a manual therapist, and I do grounding exercises prior to treatments to avoid taking in peoples issues. I am very sensitive to touch and have experienced a few undesirable side effects by taking on too much of someones suffering or pain in the form ranging from mild with cold then hot sweats to extreme like explosive diarrhea. At work! To think of inhaling ones pain and letting it dissolve in my heart is scary, what if there is no outlet, how does it dissolve. I have come to terms with the idea that I just don't want to take in anyone else's pain that hasn't already been inside of my body. Maybe I will open the door to those that I share DNA with, but I think, so far, I am drawing the line there.
Thinking of the line of enemies. I thought the line would be short, until a few people did begin to show up. I then began to think why are we enemies then on to the idea of forgiveness. Had I given myself the chance to forgive them, why or why not? Then there is the idea of forgiving myself for any wrong doing to them. This I will have to continue to work on. This meditation, loving kindness is an interesting concept, and it is one that I know I shouldn't be closed off to. What if this practice took place of my current grounding system. What if learning to visualize their pain actually dissolve served the same purpose? Maybe someday I will brave it and try. To me this post is all about a mental workout. Exhausting yet satisfying. Energy generating and focused.
Hi Jenifer, I thought that the loving-kindness was a bit difficult to follow but, it takes practice just like anything else. I didnt have a problem thinking of a few enemies but, one in particular person I thought of I also have given forgiveness to. She was one of my best friends and betrayed me with the unthinkable but, I have learned to be the better person and forgive her for it. although we will never be best friends again, at least I know that we can still talk and she knows that I have forgotten what she has done. Forgiveness is a very powerful emotion that gets rid of all the negative energy that goes with being angry and resentful.
ReplyDeleteCheryl
Jenifer,
ReplyDeleteI totally relate to what you said about being able to imagine your son and perhaps his suffering, but the suffering of others--total strangers takes a bit more work. I too found it easy to pictue my son and when he was little,( he too has blond hair and big blue eyes)--all grown up now--with a beautiful daugher. I found it easy to take in his trouble he is having at this time and let it disolve.
Good luck to you as you continue to practice.
May you stay Well!! :-}