As we have progressed in the different practices
throughout this course, I have gotten better at focusing my thoughts so that I
am able to clear my mind better and faster than before. It is taking a while, but each time it gets a
little easier to shut down the random thoughts in my mind so that I can reach a
more relaxed state of mind.
The two practices that have been the best for me
is the practice of the witnessing mind, which is where you start the focus on
just your breathing. This is easier for
me to focus on and helps me to relax so that I can try to reach the next step,
(Calm-abiding) I have not gotten there yet.
This breathing technique is great to help to keep refocusing your mind
when it starts to gather the random thoughts.
I am able to push those back aside and refocus again.
The other is Universal loving kindness, which I
have started to work on more, but it has helped to change the way I feel and
think, even during the day at work. This
practice uses the breathing techniques to relax you. Then you repeat phrases that start with
focusing on “May all individuals gain freedom from suffering” and work into a
positive turn to reflect the thoughts of; “May I assist all individuals in
finding health, happiness, and wholeness”.
I have not mastered this, because I am only able to say about two of the
phrases at a time. But in different
sessions, I have been moving on to the next two phrases. This has made my work ethics and the way I
treat people change. I do not treat people
badly, but I offer more of a calming forum to them and on some people it seems
to help calm them down a little. Maybe it
is the fact that my approach has changed to the different situations that have
been presented to me.
Hey Erika- good point on calm-abiding as it had that effect on me too. Not that I treat people bad but now i treat them with loving kindness. I have a sticky on my desk that reads "Everyone is Beautiful" when I look at this it takes me back to calm abiding which is interesting for me...
ReplyDeleteThanks for bringing this up as I do think all these exercises are valuable.
Lil Garcia
Hello Erika-
ReplyDeleteThat is great that you have been working on witnessing mind and calm-abiding. I have not mastered that one yet either but I do enjoy the challange of trying to clear my thoughts. I too, liked the loveing kindness. That is great that you have found a way to incorperate the practices into your day. I do think that you are right in that it has altered your approach to things in a good way. I think that over time people will recongize it and find it appealling.
I hope the best for you,
Brandie Greenlee
Erika that is great! I think I really need to work on the loving kindness....I get really frustrated at work with nurses who I think should know better and apparently do not! I need to learn how to feel something different toward them besides frustration and anger. Thanks for the post it gave me a good idea!
ReplyDeleteSusie Brishaber
Hi Erika,
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful how you're progressing on your path to human flourishing. It does take practice...quieting our busy minds takes time...we've been so use to allowing the mental chatter rule us for so long :) The positive change that's happened for you indicates you are on your way. I've had that too; my mind is definitely calmer and my approach to people and life is different (in a good way). I wish you luck on your journey!
Manisha