The loving kindness exercises were interesting. I try everyday to do something for someone else. I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. In others words treat people how I want to be treated. It is so fulfilling to help others. To smile at someone and see them smile back when they just had a frown on their face. I feel a sense of purpose in those moments. Why do I have an issue with some of these exercises. The soothing sounds are okay for me. It is the voice and what they are telling me to do that I do not like. I can breathe in and out for oxygen but what am I breathing in when I clear my mind and breathe in energy. I just do not believe in this. I believe in God. I can close my eyes think on Him and breathe peacefully because I know He is with me. No exercise can replace the peace that only God can give. I will share with my clients that it is according to what they believe I can create a plan that will suite them.
Denise Turner
Denise Turner
Denise,
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as you; sometimes I can visually picture what the narrator is talking about, but sometimes (a lot of the time) I can't. I feel that is why I'm not getting these practices down. I too think I do better when I am just thinking about God or a simple phrase, such as a Bible verse. Your idea of finding out what your clients believe in and working on a plan that could go along with that is a good idea; but what if they don't believe in anything?
-Natasja
I think that you are looking at this all wrong Denise. I believe in God too, but these exercises help me to clear my mind of all the unnecessary crap and hear his still clear voice. You have to know for yourself what your belief is, the narrator on the guided imagery does not know your heart. Everytime I am asked to breathe in and out I am thinking about how good God is to me and how I have made it this far. Many Christians want to pray but never stop long enough to get the answer. How will we hear God, if we keep talking. The same thing goes on in our minds, if we keep having these random thoughts and feelings, when will we hear him. I have been doing this exercise this week, and wow have some answers been coming. I ask you to please try the exercise again, do not fight what is going on, but embrace your love, spirit, and faith in God, and your peace will come..
ReplyDeleteDina
Denise,
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue at first, but the Bible even references meditation. Think about it as though the narrator is a usher, just as the praise/choir leader is....ushering you into the presence of God. I have received such clarity of vision from these practices that they are becoming a daily communion with God. I have such a large following and they are all inquiring about what has changed in me. Since I recently had some health issues, they assumed it was a new medication. I told them that I threw all that junk away and experienced some meditation, which created more fellowship with God.
Carla
I appreciate your honesty in your post. I found myself so caught up in my thoughts that I had trouble even hearing the instructions I was being given by the voice during the exercise. It has just been one of those days where I am stressed out and struggling to calm down. I guess I will calm down once I am asleep tonight :) Sometimes it is helpful for me to have a guided exercise that tells me to be still. I am a mother of four and forget to take time out to meditate or to just be still. This is why I am grateful for these exercises we are doing in this class. When I do take time for myself I talk with my God and listen for the answers.
ReplyDelete