The Universal Loving Kindness exercise was a wonderful opportunity to put in words what I feel. I was able to say what I really feel in an intelligent way and put that in my spirit. I am a helper, a healer, a nurturer, my concern is generally and usually for the health and well-being of another. This exercise was and intelligent way for me to express my feelings in fewer words that are profound and powerful. The interest thing about the next exercise or assessment was it makes me see how out of balance I am. I am concerned about my health and well-being. I put everybody and everything above me, myself and I. Although that can be seen as a good thing, it is not a balanced thing, therefore allowing myself to suffer in many areas, only keeps me from being all I can be to others. I am learning that I have got to be at my best , to uplift, encourage, help others make the changes in their lives that I have made. It is very hard to convince someone that they can be healthy when they see you may be suffering in that area.
I have come to know the root of my issues and I think that I must work on balancing the interpersonal and worldly parts of my life more so. As much as I have learned about health, I believe that the root of some of my problems lies not in the biological but in these two quadrants. I have not problem with either of the loving kindness practices, where I believe I can devote my attention is in the subtle mind practice. Learning how to tame the mind and regain my focus on how to fix some of the issues in my life. I have already begin to think and meditate on them and how I have set goals for myself to take care of much needed task. I have gone through a fierce battle with myself over taking care of some of my needs and stepping a way from helping others for a while. I remembered something I taught my church; it is hard to be a blessing to others when you are not blessed yourself. Meaning that if I do not take care of my immediate needs I will not be in a position to help others. I am going to have to take a little time an reacquaint myself with a few things that really are essential to my success. I think I am headed in the right direction and it will not take me long to get in balance.
I agree with you that most of us need to work on the interpersonal and worldly parts of life but practicing the loving kindness aspect is a cornerstone to their development. You seem to have the loving kindness aspect down and continue to practice in your ministry. Loving kindness to others is important but we must practice loving kindness with ourselves (gently) and tame our minds first before we can help others. It seems that others will benefit from our services when we are flourishing.
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