The first exercise deals with helping others and exploring our hearts and minds. The second exercise deals with our level of development be it psycho spiritual, biological, interpersonal or worldly. I learned that it is easier to focus on helping others than it is to help myself. I am not saying that I am a person who runs out and tries to save the world. I am saying that focusing upon myself is scarier because it exposes flaws or not flaws but areas for improvement. I am more harshest critic and I hate to have to look at an aspect of myself to change. I am not against change as I feel that I have done a lot of change for the better in the past.
All of my analysis comes back to the fact that I need to grow spiritually. This is not purely in the religious sense but in the sense of being able to control my thoughts and to see things from the outside. I think that the subtle mind exercise is the way to go for me. Which allows one to witness life, have a calm mind, and finally realize the connection of all beings, but more so the connection of my mind and body. I need to focus more on the inside and attack that aspect with the same zest that I have for my outside.
Hi Monroe,
ReplyDeleteSounds like we are similar in that we worry more about the welfare of others than we do ourselves. I need to develop whatever it is inside me that will allow me to feel worthy enough to receive the same concern for myself that I show to others. I mean, if I don't take care of myself, how can I be here to help others, right? lol The exercises are a tough thing for me; I find it difficult to calm my mind. My thoughts tend to wander when I conduct the exercises in this class. I am thinking of listening to some nature sounds as I read the text of the exercises aloud to myself. Once I get them memorized, I will not need to read anymore and VIOLA! Relaxation exercise. lol
I am right there with you about focusing on one's self will expose one's flaws. That could be the whole problem for me and these exercises. I also find it difficult to change. Perhaps with practice, I can learn to use these exercises effectively. :)
Beth