In this week's blog, a quick comparison of the Loving-Kindness versus the Subtle Mind exercise...which is better?
Well..in a tribute to Dick Clark's American Bandstand, let me first offer that neither exercise had music with a great rhythm which made it hard to dance. (Not that I dance well when the music DOES have a great rhythm...but that's another blog post :-)) Both tracks also seemed to have a defect in that at times there was a loud static noise during the exercise. In the Loving-Kindness track, it was easy to overlook and hardly noticed. In the subtle mind exercise, the noise was loud, ongoing, and unfortunately began just as I started to reach internal calm. Perhaps the noise was a test...for if I *had* truly reached that internal stillness within the mind -- would I have even noticed (or been jolted by) the noise? Something to ponder....
Before the track error and loud noise, the subtle mind exercise was also relaxing --but instead of focusing immediately upon others, the exercise started with a technique to use awareness of the body to calm the mind. This too was VERY relaxing...and as I have continued the practice without the track (I found that ultimately I was led back to the feeling of being connected, but this time it was without thought -- just enhanced awareness and complete calm.)
In the end, loud noises aside, I believe that the results of the two exercises are more alike than not...they are just different ways to reach the same place. One begins with a calming of the mind, the other moves with the openness of the heart. Both are beneficial mentally and also physically as I definitely felt energized (even when the exercise was done with the loud noise...in that case though, it was the JOLT that woke me up ;))
Considering theses exercises, it is easy to wonder about the connection between the spiritual, the physical and mental wellness? Let's look at a couple slices of the Orange to consider
In my lifetime, I have seen others (and at time guilty myself) of striving towards wellness in one slice of the orange (like trying to be healthy, lose weight) and quite honestly in doing so, I neglected the other areas of the whole.
I believe that we are both spiritual and physical beings...and to fully embrace this all areas of our live (as captured in the orange above) need to be considered and in balance. As a cancer survivor, the physical slice is one of great concern -- but in the end, the goal here is to not only be free of disease, but to be healthy/whole such that I am able to experience life and play with my growing children. I have been to the place where the body was so weak, that little else is possible....it is not a place I want to go to again.
For me, the aspect of mental wellness is critical. It is not only being open to new ideas and possibilities, but as the mind creates, the body manifests. I've had clients who had misaligned self-concept and reality...for instance, the grown woman who weighs 85 lbs and still believes that she is "fat."
IMHO, having mental and physical wellness are the foundational elements needed to reach and fully experience spiritual wellness. Spiritual wellness is where we as individual and unique humans begin to lose some of the ego, and the distinction between each of us becomes fuzzy so that we realize that we are all connected. Being a Christian, it is with this new awareness that I fully appreciate "Love others as you would yourself" -- since as we are all connected, loving others IS loving our self. (Thinking too hard on this concept can lead to a circular argument. i.e. Lose yourself and ego so that you can become open and embrace the connection with others -- only to find that we are truly embracing our self as we are all connected! As the Poet suggests -- we return to the same place only to discover it anew for the first time :-)
I have discovered the connection between all three aspects of wellness as I have experienced cancer. As the chemotherapy breaks down the body (sometimes the treatment is worse than the disease), and the mind becomes hazy with the chemicals designed to ease the sickness and pain, the ability to fully see yourself as connected (the Spiritual) becomes difficult. I can tell you that at times I felt isolated and alone -- and it is in this isolation I believe that some lose hope and give in to the disease. Having a network of friends and family can help restore that connection though -- and as the spiritual awareness increases, and the mind grows stronger, the body will indeed manifest. And so now the cancer is in remission, and it is with new awareness that I see myself and others!
Have a WONDERFUL Week!
David
5 comments:
David
I found loving kindness does keep you in touch with who is really important to you and give you something to think about. The subtle mind CD scare the hex out of me just as I was waiting for the good stuff it messed up, but that is alright I enjoy doing breathing exercise anyway. So you are in remission from cancer good luck and keep the faith, because God has work for the both of us to do. I had cancer 26 year ago, and I think God for allowing me to live and raise my 3 children and to have 5 grandchildren and I love all of them.
David,
Thank you for your openness about your past with cancer, I think that you are very strong and an inspiration. I agree with you about both meditation exercises as somewhat interconnected to each other, both allowing one to reach inside, feel for ourselves and others on a emotional and spiritual level. With intention, we attention to needs, desires, actions and opportunities to what we can do in our lives for ourselves and others. I had a great experience with both exercises, excluding the frightening CD scratching, I got to realize a little more insight on how I want to approach life.
HiDavid, what an absolutely beautiful post, thankyou for sharing. I agree about the sound quality of the cd but like you said, in the end it was relaxing and did it's job. I think we are all guilty of leaving out a slice of the orange and I always feel that part left out right away as if it is reminding me "the balance is off a bit". I'm sorry you had to go through such a horrible experience being so sick, no one should have to experience this, I am happy that you are ok. David what would you tell someone that just found out they were sick with this disease and looked to you for some positive feedback? I hope you don't mind me asking, Michele :)
Hi David,
I too found it rather frustrating with the static noise. I thought the static came from the fact that my phone rang during the meditation. Regardless of the interruption I was very deep in my thoughts and concentration when the static came. I however lost my concentration was not able to finish the exercise. Bummed because I truly enjoyed this one.
David,
First - you have a great sense of humor! I too wondered for a brief moment if the loud white noise on track 3 was a test, kind of like "Smile your on candid camera" but with no camera and in the provacy of your own meditation, but no - that was not the case.
I think it is great that you really got in there and compared the 2 side by side, especially when it comes to adopting a practice for yourself you have to know what feels right and why. Sometimes the little things can make the biggest difference.
Good Luck!
--Catie
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