This exercise was an interesting one. The first couple of times I felt strange/odd turning the feelings onto myself. But that feeling disappeared once I changed my perspective. I chose to envision God's love penetrating every part of me.
I did notice benefit from the beginning. I have known for a while I am very critical of myself and have a difficult time relaxing fully. This exercise was a nice change of pace and one I am willing to continue doing. I would recommend this to others and include it in my treatment plan once I have mastered it.
As I have been reading the chapters in our books, I am seeing stronger links to the Bible. Especially this week. When the 'Integral Health' book stated, "enduring wellbeing requires...an enhanced concern and compassion for the wellbeing of others" directly correlates with the scripture John 13:34b "As I have loved you, love one another." Also where Dacher mentions how changes don't occur without regular practice of the desired change. Psalm 1 refers to this also when it says to meditate on the word day and night and you will prosper like a tree whose leaves never wither.
Does anyone else see the link?
You are so very right at how this is all putting it in perspective with the Bible and I am so excited to see and learn more. I think it is very exciting to see that scientific proof is coming out and reinforcing prayer and how the mind is part of the body and the mind is of God. The mind and body work as one and God is in control of all things including us as one in a whole. We are his temple and we have to learn to take care of the temple. It appears that he is at work here and bring his people to gather to battle within the health field and I am so excited to be a part of that battle. Thanks and may we all keep praying for his presence among the earth
ReplyDeleteJackie
Your first paragraph really resonated with me. It's funny - in the Bible we're taught to love our neighbors as ourselves - and that's sort of what this exercise had us do. But it actually taught us how to love ourselves too! I think women so often become so good at putting others first that we forget to put ourselves on the "to-love" list at all! The exercise helped me put the activity of my mind aside - which is one of my big stumbling blocks. It sounds like it helped you put your self-criticism aside. Cool. :)
ReplyDeleteAs others have posted/mentioned, I like that we were shown how to love ourselves. Women I think naturally care for other better than they care for themselves, we tend to put others before us and sometimes never get around to ourselves. It was nice to focus on me but I had a very hard time focusing on those I did not like. When I did I kept coming back to the reasons I didn't like them or why we are not on good terms. I don't think this was part of the exercise...lol. Also the waves became annoying a bit for me, I could tell where the track would repeat, but when I focused on the waves I fell asleep.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments! It is so important to love thy neighbor as you love yourself. This incorporates loving yourself as well as others. I find joy in helping others and I also notice it takes my mind off of what is going on in my life.
ReplyDeleteDenise
That is very interesting of the link between the exericse and the bible, I honestly have never read any of the scriptures so I am unfamiliar with this but do find it interesting. I find it hard to put towards feelings of love and kindness towards myself as I am very critical of who I am as well - its a long process to change this that is for sure! I do however find it very easy to channel the loveing-kindness for others, I don't like to think about myself and always put others first so when it came to thinking about me I don't think I was able to do that as well in this exercise!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input on things, see you next week!
Megan