The subtle mind practice is to me more calm and flowing than the love kindness practice. The water crashing and music playing in the subtle mind practice for me was like a board or platform. I am lying on and relaxing calmly with not worries or interaction with the business of life and my mind. I think this practice is great to pull your attention to a focal point of your choice and just breath and imagine it.
The loving-kindness practice is more of a focus into self-love for yourself in order to project onto others. i think is more difficult than the subtle practice. The crashing waves for me was distracting rather than calming, because I was trying to also focus on another love one. However in both practices I felt good, calm, and renewed. I think the two practice provides the mind to become stronger with the projection of wellness and happiness to myself and others, and provides breathing as a focal point to find peace of the mind.
I think the spiritual mind and the physical and mental wellness are all an important part of ourselves to interconnect health feelings and wellness for ourselves, others, and our loved one. The interconnection allows us to build a better core of ourselves for integral health.
~Linda Jackson
I had difficulty with the subtle mind activity since it asked us to remain on a focal point. I am constantly wondering away and thinking about what I have to do next. I also have difficulty trying to find a quiet environment, as I have at least two of my three children in the house 90% of the time. The lovin-kindness activity asked us to think about our negative feelings which I think was a benefit to me since our negative feelings are very negative on our physical well being. As a manager I have a difficult time making everyone happy, but this activity helped me to open up my mind and get a feel for others feelings to make better decisions.
ReplyDeleteHello Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response! I would definitely agree, it is no easy to keep your mind on a focal point, especially when there are distractions. I myself have four children. One is really an adult though. However, in my case I use my 15 year old keep their attention if I am doing the practice while they are home. A good suggestion would be to try the exercise while your children are in bed and sleep for the night. This can give you a real chance to effectively try the exercise with no interruption. Then you may gain a different view of the practice. Good luck!
~Linda Jackson
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this exercise was so much easier for me to accomplish and understand then the loving kindness exercise. I find it funny though as I read others thoughts about each one how they interpreted the exercises.
I had a really hard time relaxing with the loving kindness exercise but this one I felt so comfortable and able to focuses on the exercise. One thing that I do not remember is the sounds; I do remember them but then did not seem like the sound stuck out that much. I find that interesting because as I am reading your post I am questioning myself about the sounds. It just goes to show that no matter what the exercise is we all view it differently.
For me the loving kindness exercise did not work at all but this one did. I think the biggest reason this one worked so well was because I already use a focal point for running (I listen to my feet) to create a mind body exercise. It is truly refreshing at a different level because your whole self feels refreshed and energized.
I enjoyed your post and next time I do this exercise I am going to listen to the sound just for fun.
Thanks,
Melissa Brandt
Hello Melissa,
DeleteThanks for your response! I agree it is really amazing how we all get different experiences from the exercises.
~Linda Jackson
Hello Linda very nice post I enjoyed reading it very much. I would have to say that i liked them both because they both made me feel very relaxed while i enjoyed the loving and kindness more then the subtle mind to me they both offer things thati like for example the sounds of the ocean and waves crashing against the rocks along the shore, the deep breathing exercises that help me to unwind and relax. I am going ti listen to the both of them again when i get the chance CK.
ReplyDeleteHello Chris,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response!