Loving-kindness and subtle mind are two practices that are beneficial in numerous ways. One of those ways is to help prepare for psychospiritual development. With repetition these practices bring greater skills and new insights. There is something new to be gained each time you practice. “We feel grateful and blessed, awakening to the possibility that we can actually change the course of our health and life” (Dacher, 2006).
Loving kindness practices attempts to embrace and share love and healing within ourselves and with others, while subtle mind practices encourages us to find or create peace and stillness within ourselves, fostering harmony between the mind, body and spirit.
I believe that subtle mind practice should be harnessed before attempting loving kindness. Loving kindness was difficult to do because I could not find the inner peace that I needed to move forward. So trying to embrace the energies of others would have been near impossible.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI had the same experience. I found the subtle mind exercise to be easy and resulted in a feeling of relaxation and peace. The loving-kindess exercise was more difficult for the same reasons you stated-it was hard to feel peaceful. I believe fostering the inner peace first will help when it comes time to give the peace away in loving-kindness practice.
Sherry
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you and Sherry. It was easier for me to do the Loving Kindness practice after the subtle mind one. Learning the basics of following your breathing to become relaxed and open to the Loving Kindness practice. I found both enjoyable and each brought me to a place of calm and peace.
Cynthia
Hello Susan,
ReplyDeleteI also thought the subtle mind exercise was much more calming and effective than the loving kindness exercise. I think part of it is the primary focus on breathing, something I can focus on and control better than my thoughts. Another reason I liked this better may just be that I am getting better at the exercises as the week goes on
I agree with you.. I think that the subtle mind meditation, deep breathing practices would be most benefical as a prelude to the loving and kindness mediation... and these both would be participatory or prepatory to a state of prayer ..
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks like we are all on one accord. I also agree that learning to have a calm mind through deep breathing and other actions that can be controled is easier as a step prior to loving kindness. But I guess Dacher is needing us to appreciate that it takes good relationships with others found in loving kindness in order to help foster that inner peace that comes with subtle mind. Great posts from everyone.
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