Universal Loving Kindness Exercise
Beginning with closing my eyes and resting into the natural ease of my mind and body was super easy and something I usually do daily anyway- for several reasons mostly because I want to leave work at work, school at school, and give my best self to my family.
Now dedicating an entire 10 minutes to repeating anything is a different story. I had to start this exercise about 4 times before getting a whole ten minutes in. Like most parents I have a stressful life- but good stress so I have picked up several centering and calming things to do that take a lot less time, and have equally easing results.
When I did get 10 minutes in I found myself refreshed, again no more than from a 2-3 minute grounding exercise, but calmer none the less for all of 3 seconds. I had to pop 3 Monster High heads back on, super glue a dolphin-bank, and figure out where the 2 year old found a box of nitrile gloves (not even going into why she was filling them with water). 10 minutes is just too long, even with the other parent in the house (he is the one who accidentally broke the heads trying to get the dolls re-dressed) so I don't think I will be using this particular exercise in my future routine.
The Integral Assessment was a little different, looking internally to find the source of difficulty or suffering in my own life was good, because it only took a little time over a few days. Once I decided exactly what I needed (or think I need) to focus on focusing on healing that area was really uplifting. Focusing on promoting promoting development for the area(s) that could use help was also helpful, and I think that in even as short time period I have seen some improvement. I am sure that other exercise will be beneficial, and although I have some staples I am open to new suggestions.
Beginning with closing my eyes and resting into the natural ease of my mind and body was super easy and something I usually do daily anyway- for several reasons mostly because I want to leave work at work, school at school, and give my best self to my family.
Now dedicating an entire 10 minutes to repeating anything is a different story. I had to start this exercise about 4 times before getting a whole ten minutes in. Like most parents I have a stressful life- but good stress so I have picked up several centering and calming things to do that take a lot less time, and have equally easing results.
When I did get 10 minutes in I found myself refreshed, again no more than from a 2-3 minute grounding exercise, but calmer none the less for all of 3 seconds. I had to pop 3 Monster High heads back on, super glue a dolphin-bank, and figure out where the 2 year old found a box of nitrile gloves (not even going into why she was filling them with water). 10 minutes is just too long, even with the other parent in the house (he is the one who accidentally broke the heads trying to get the dolls re-dressed) so I don't think I will be using this particular exercise in my future routine.
The Integral Assessment was a little different, looking internally to find the source of difficulty or suffering in my own life was good, because it only took a little time over a few days. Once I decided exactly what I needed (or think I need) to focus on focusing on healing that area was really uplifting. Focusing on promoting promoting development for the area(s) that could use help was also helpful, and I think that in even as short time period I have seen some improvement. I am sure that other exercise will be beneficial, and although I have some staples I am open to new suggestions.
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteWell it sounds like you have some crazy fun chaos going on at your house! You don't sound stressed about it and I feel like you are going with the flow amongst it all. Even taking five minutes to yourself maybe in the morning before everyone gets up would be beneficial for you. Also deep breathing, which you can do at anytime no matter who is around, is a great exercise especially if you have any icky stress that you want to release! In through the nose, out through the mouth.
~Michelle
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you do it School, work, and young kids running around. You seem like a super mom. :) I find it hard finding time to do these exercises also and I don't have kids. You do seem to be handling everything well without too much stress. Hopefully I can be like that too one day when I have kids. I do agree with Michelle about taking time in the morning for yourself when everyone is still asleep. That might be beneficial.
Ashley