I have just completed the loving kindness exercise and had a really hard time with it. My mind continually wonder during those very long pauses. I actually found myself forgetting that I was even doing this exercise. There is a lot of visualization in this exercise and I have a very hard time with that. I think I would only recommend this exercise to someone with experience doing these types of exercises and has good visualization techniques.
Maybe after continuing to do this exercise it would become easier. By doing this I would using the concept of mental workout or daily exercise for the mind. As the research in our reading this week showed that by doing this exercise (workouts) everyday my mind would begin to naturally think this way. This change in thinking to loving kindness would help me psychologically by having positive and caring thoughts.
When I began doing techniques that included visualizations I had difficulty concentrating. This has been years ago, but my grandmother actually made a suggestion that I have adapted and used on many occasions. At that time, I was having trouble visualizing the person I was praying for (probably because of the emotional connection). She told me to clear my mind, sit a picture in from of me, focus on it and pray. I have used this in prayer, meditation, and relaxation exercises. It may help you, I know it did me.
ReplyDeleteI, too found this exercise to be difficult. I have so much clutter in my mind these days that it seems to run non-stop.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up. I can see the potential in doing this exercise and with practice we both will be able to reap the benefits of it.
Debra