Hello Everyone,
In the practice, trying to picture the image of the person I love, and respect was hard to come into focus for me. Although I had the person in my head and on my mind the image was not there throughout the practice. I did however, feel the emotions for the individual. Therefore, I was not able to have the image of individual to become the focal point for me. The practice cause me to be unfocused because my mind had no image. Therefore, I was distracted from completing the practice. The practice was harder to achieve than I thought. Though the loving-kindness, the calm-abiding was there. I did not reach the full benefit of the practice. I am going to keep trying this exercise until I see the image of the individual.
I understand the phrase, "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" to mean that if you the individual has not had the experience or process of learning you can not teach or lead another in the path or practice. I would say that this pertains to the health care professional very deeply, because a client would want a professional who has experience and the knowledge to understand what they are going through. Clients want health care professional to be sympathetic to the needs to a certain degree and yet have the potential to stand their ground when needed in certain situations. Health care professionals are who the patients and clients put the up most trust when it come to their care and expects high levels of competency on the professional part, I think.
In my own life, I would definitely say yes that I have an obligation to be well-round in health for myself as I would want for my clients. The experience of understanding integral health for myself will ultimately expand the knowledge and experience I can offer to my clients. I think I can institute psychological and spiritual growth in my personal life by enhancing my own capacity to become mindful of other, changing habits, learning to focus on creating a better inner version of myself to project onto others and to expand the mental, physical, and spiritual side of myself.
~Linda Jackson
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI like your comment on how its important to be well rounded for YOURSELF as well as your clients. Those in the medical and human services profession...or those with families to take care of, often put others in front of themselves. This often happens to a point in which the person suffers for it. We cannot affectively take care of others if we are unable to take care of ourselves. This is an extremely important point and I am so glad you made it.
Hello Sean,
DeleteThanks for your response! How was your experience with the practice this week? Did you have trouble visualizing the image of a person close to you?
~Linda Jackson
I too had difficulty when I first attempted this exercise. I originally felt that I wanted to visualize my grandmother, but another figure kept coming to my mind. I found myself not able to focus because I kept trying to force my mind back to that of my grandmothers face. When I finally gave up and went with the vision of the face I was trying to get out of my mind the exercise became very easy for me. Don't give up, try possibly starting without any particular person in mind and go with what ever comes to your mind. It really seemed to help me. Good luck and remember that every meditation exercise is not for everyone, find the one that you respond to best it practice that one. Laurie
ReplyDeleteHello Laurie,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you mentioned that. It seemed as though I had two people on my mind. I wanted to produce only one image of one of them; but all I could get was static. I was thinking that the focus I had was not stable or strong enough. So I am going to try again for the third time. Thanks for responding and the advice.
~Linda Jackson
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel with the image of the love one not coming through. I too could not see an image but knew who I was thinking about. Although I was not able to focus on the image itself I was able to still get a calming sensation out of the exercise.
I agree with your second paragraph. We do put a lot of trust in our doctors to make sure we are healthy along with our children but I learn a valuable lesson as well. After returning back to work from maternity leave I got really sick and had to go to the doctor. I informed my doctor I was breast feeding my son and needed to make sure the medicine she gave me was safe for both of us. She gave a few prescriptions and I went and got them filled. Upon returning back to work a co-worker was asking if I was ok and what not. I told her what the doctor said and told her the medicine I was given. She told me to look up each of those medicines and when I did I was shocked. The main one had a warning label that said "Do Not Take While Breast Feeding" I was so mad and thankful at the same time because she taught me that even though they are "doctors" they are not always right.
Suzanne