The two things that I have found to be my favorites and have incorporated into my life are Loving Kindness and Meditation.
I have found that adding the loving-kindness practice into my morning devotions, I can think of and pray for those who need help. I have also begun to reach out to others by offering physical assistance, such as helping to provide help to members of my church who are in need, and providing meals to a family who is unable to do it themselves. Something as simple as talking with others in church who sit alone can help to create a heart to heart connection. I am trying very hard to use this practice as a way of improving my relationship with my mother. I have started to call her more and even invite her to lunch for no reason. Face to face contact with my brother has not happened yet and it is far in the distance, but I do continue to pray for him each and every day, and who knows, maybe some day I will re-establish some sort of relationship with him.
As for meditation, I have really grown to love this exercise. I don't believe you have to sit and assume some weird position to do this. I use my time each evening that I have set aside to walk in the park to meditate. Walking outdoors and enjoying the sight and sounds of nature can be very relaxing and calming to me. I can think back on events of the day and deal with things that are bothering me while I walk. I have found that if I do not go out and walk each evening, I have a bad night. Walking helps to relax me and calm me so that I can get a good night's sleep.
I have very much enjoyed this class and the things that I have learned that help me to get through each day and have a new found appreciation for each moment of the day.
The sitting and assuming the position hasn't been a requirement for me either. I like just taking a few minutes and being discrete about doing a bit of meditation while no one knows I'm doing it. Just creating a calm state of mind can instantly make things clear and give us a re-focus. I have an estranged dad that has a disfunction that creates a lack of future for us much like you and your brother's situation. I don't know if there is a remedy to it. My father frequents Russia for young brides and brags about twisted sexual escapades. I hear about his stories through the grapevine but we haven't talked in 13 years. I just can't stand it and I can't have it around my kids and grandkids. God is the only one that could change that man's mind. I don't anticipate us ever having a relationship again.
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ReplyDeleteIts wonderful that you have found the practices to be beneficial to you. I do agree with you so much that you dont have to be any particular position to practice a form of meditation. Its just about being able to still the mind close your eyes and allow your concious to lead you. I think walking is a great way for ideas and thoughts to flow freely adn you dont have to close your eyes for that..lol!. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Denise I so agree with you and the fact that walking is a very calming affect. Spending time in quietness can allow a person to reflect on their day and release the stress of the day allows for a peacful nights sleep. It is also agreat way to start each morning.
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