Hello Everyone!
Well, the first exercise I practiced was the Universal Loving Kindness meditation exercise. This one was a little difficult because we had to memorize those four lines then meditate on them; however, I was able to do it! After I went over them for a little bit, I lied down, closed my eyes, and began. At first, I was wishing this for all people, but then my mind started going to this one lady, Rachel, and I put her name in place of "all individuals." I have no idea who Rachel is, but in my Bible Study group someone wrote down a prayer request for her. She just had twins and while she was pregnant she found out she has colon cancer and only has about 12 months to live; meditating on it and thinking about it right now is bringing tears to my eyes. I really want her self-suffering to go away and her find health, happiness, and wholeness; I want her cancer to go away so she can see her daughters grow up. Her husband had been previously married, and he lost his first wife to a car accident and had two sons with her; now he is facing the loss of his second wife and has two twin daughters with her. I ask y'all please pray for this family.
I feel, right now, the aspect in my life I need and want to work on is the emotional part of the psychospiritual side. I know I am a female and we are known to have mood swings, but I tend to get them a lot; especially towards my husband when he doesn't deserve it. I will sometimes get angry with him and try to make him feel guilty; I know when I do this and I don't like it, yet it is hard for me to stop. I meditated on this for a while (while listening to some mediation music to help clear my mind) and I came to the realization that I need to control my emotions and not let them control me. My husband loves me and he doesn't intentionally upset me as I do to him at times.
Well....some activities I can do to help foster growth in both these areas is to continue to meditate on them. I still need to learn how to better clear my mind and only focus on what I am meditating on, but with time, I should be able to do it!!!
Y'all have a relaxing day :-)
-Natasja
Wow... sad story. I will pray for Rachel. I don't know why she has cancer, but I do know that their is purpose in all things. I believe what ever happens will be for the best, maybe not now.... But, in the end.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult when emotions and hormones get in the way of happiness. Stress does that to me. Once I figured out how to get rid of significant stress in my life, I chilled out about getting annoyed and lashing out at my husband and kids. Maybe stress is your issue too. School and life responsibilities will do that. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Maybe meditation and yoga will help. Better sleep and nutrition can also help. When all else fails, or just to get in control quicker until you get everything else in place to control stress get some medical help. There are some awesome meds to help with stress. (I am a doctors wife, hehe... So I think about stuff like that.) No shame in taking stress meds!
Hello Natasja,
ReplyDeleteI haven’t done the meditation exercise yet but if I have to memorize four lines then I may have difficulty. It’s not as though I can’t remember anything but asking me to memorize four lines may be a bit much. Then again is four lines really a lot? Probably not but still I guess the thought makes me not want to do it. Congrats on being able to complete the meditation exercise and from what you posted it seems pretty cool. It seems like you were able to focus well and that to me is the difficult part. Thanks for being so honest in your posts about your personal life as it allows us reading to relate.
Hi Natasja, what a moving story you told about the lady Rachel and her family. I too had a hard time reciting the words from the exercise, but I began to change the words as well. I began to actually pray for the world, as well as for specific people. I liked being able to recite my own words during the exercise because I felt like all of the needs on my heart for others were being heard. I pray you will continue to seek God in your meditation and get the emotional control that you seek.
ReplyDeleteDina
Natasja
ReplyDeleteYour story of this wonderful lady and her family is where all of our love and thoughts should go to. She is a great example of the meaning of the meditations. Having some on in your mind while doing it makes the mediation a stronger experience. I'll have Rachel and her family in my prayers.
Hi Natasja,
ReplyDeleteI, too, am touched by Rachel's story. Her and her family are at the top of my prayer list and I will pass on the request to my faithful friends.
I think that some of these meditations and practices that we have learned here will be a great help to you. I know that being a parent is a tough (but rewarding) experience! I have been a single mom since my son was 11 months old (he's 21 now) and the only thing that got me through was prayer and 'me time'. I had to take at least 15 minutes in the morning and in the evening for myself or I would get too stressed. Make sure you take care of yourself, my friend, because you can't give your best to those you love...if you don't love & take care of yourself FIRST. We deserve it, too. Good health to you & take a few minutes for yourself today, you'll thank yourself! :-)
Thank y'all for all the prayer concerns for Rachel; as I mentioned, I do not personally know her, but if I get anymore information, I will pass it on.
ReplyDelete-Natasja