I had a difficult time with the exercise the firs time that I listened to it. I tried to visualize the white light but it was a smoky gray color. I could not understand why I was not able to follow this exercise, so I got up and did something else. When I was able to come back to the exercise the next day, I visualized my beloved Aunt Susie that died when I was 18 years old. She was my role model growing up and taught me how to carry myself like a lady. This time I could see the bright light but again it was not white, it was silver. While I sat there in my peaceful mind I realized that the beam of light coming from her throat to mine was glowing brighter than the other beams, because she always told me that it is not what goes in that counts it is what you choose to say to others that effects them. Since I have been meditating over the last few weeks, I have really gotten to know myself from a past, present and potential point of view. I am able to be still and really listen to me, this is something I have not done in a very long time. I feel that this peaceful time in my life has really helped me get a better grasp on the things I need to do for my body to be whole. I honestly do not think that there will ever be a time that I will not seek inner peace and calm abiding in my day to day life. I need it.
As stated in an earlier post on the discussion board, why would someone want to follow your direction if you had not walked it before. What this means to me is a statement of truth about taking advice from others. There are often situations in our lives that we seek advice, but if the person we ask has no clue what we are going through it is wise for us to find someone who has been through the struggle too. I think that in order for me to be a beneficial practicitoner of health & wellness, I must be able to relate to my patients and be able to express to them the changes I had to make and continue to make to heal myself. I can continue with the new meditation/prayer schedule that I have set up for myself, and while in my still mind continue to listen to my body-spirit for instructions on what needs to be changed or adapted. I owe it to myself to make my life better and if I can not start with myself, how can I help others?
Dina
Dina,
ReplyDeleteI like reading your blog, your honesty and spiritual, it helps me connect to you more, even though we know ever little about each other. Your meditation practices seems like they are getting more in depth as the weeks go by. Thats the point, good job here, this part I struggle with. Your sense of ownership to your faults, and the determination to solve them is inspirational to me. I love your last statement in your blog, "I owe it to myself to make my life better and if I can not start with myself, how can I help others?"
Once again, good job this week. I think you can start to check off "Human Flourishing" off your to-do list :)
-Shanna
Aunt Susie seems like a perfect fit for a role model. We all have someone that we look up to and respect and this exercise can help give us the positive thoughts. It’s good to see that you had someone that you respected so much. What made you pick her as a role model? I think it’s a great choice but I guess I read some blogs and wonder why people don’t pick a parent. Not everyone has parents that they consider role models and I can’t say they would be mine either. I love my parents but a role model isn’t necessarily a parent I guess. You really connected well in this exercise with what the goal was so great job.
ReplyDeleteDina,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! It sounds like your Aunt Susie was a wonderful person and a great role model. Why do you think the light was gray at first and then when you came back to the exercise again it was silver? I think it is wonderful how you are able to meditate everyday; it is very true that one needs to go through this process on their own first before they can assist others with it. Great job!
-Natasja
Hi Dina
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog post you have put together. It seems to me that your Aunt Susie was quite a woman. By following her lead I bet that you are special as well. You and I have had some really good conversations back and forth and I would say that we have some common struggles. Mental exercises like these can do a world of good for us and have made a difference in my outlook on living. I went through this exercise twice myself. Dina, I really do not believe it matters if the light was bright white because I remember when we did our first one the narrator told us to use what was best for us and not necessarily exactly as they were saying. They said we could adapt what would help us the most in getting the benefit of the exercise. I don't know that I am in a peaceful time in my life but I sure have had my stress calmed down some. I can tell my self-esteem is not on the floor anymore and I am beginning to believe that I can do the things that I am attempting to do. That may sound like a simple little thing, but you had to be around me when we first started the class to understand how things were then. I am very glad that this exercise worked out for you. I definitely agree with the second part of your blog where you talk about being careful about taking advice from someone who has no real life experience in the area that you need help with. It seems like you have a good plan to keep the practices up so all I can say now is to keep up the great work!!
Take care Dina
Craig S Aronoff
[Mrexploreroflife.blogspot.com]
Hi Dina,
ReplyDeleteI must share with you that I got tears in my eyes when reading about your connection with your Aunt Susie. I felt the bond you had with her. I would venture to guess (and it's only a guess) that the reason your color started with grey was because you weren't focused or ready. By walking away for a time, your mind was then clear. I know that I have tried to meditate when I had some chore on my mind and it just didn't work. My goal is to become efficeint enough that I can over-ride the distraction and move forward with my meditation. I love that you felt such a strong silver light from your aunt and that it relates to a specific memory you had from her. :-)) I agree with what Craig says, too, about our colors being more personal and and even special to us!