Universal Loving Kindness....

So, this week we had to do another loving kindness exercise.  This time we were supposed expand our capacity for empathic listening seeing and caring for others, which will spread to all of our relationships.  This practice will supposedly expand the mind and the heart, and help cure anger and hatred.  In order to do this, we were supposed to repeat four different phrases for 10 minutes.  First of all, I couldn't remember the phrases, and I had trouble quieting my mind, trying to remember these phrases.  I was looking at the book with one eye open, and I realized that this defeated the purpose of the exercise.  Over the weeks I have become better at relaxing into myself and my breath, so that part was good.  I just felt pressure over remembering (or not) the phrases.  So finally just found myself saying general prayers for others to find health, happiness, wholeness, and peace...and this felt good. 

We were also asked to complete an integral assessment exercise.  I really did like that the exercise allowed for me to focus on the troubling areas in my life, because that is obviously what is usually ON my mind.  I have found that with other meditations, I feel like I am just supposed to be able to "breathe" and "imagine" my troubles away, and that is not realistic for me.  I was asked which area in my life is troubling....psycho spiritual, biological, interpersonal, or worldly?  and then what area in my life is ready for growth and development?  Is it the same area or a different one?  I thought that these were very good questions.  I learned to try to realize if I felt that I was taking on too much or too little, and to try to be mindful of how I handle situations.  Can I improve my attitude or my actions?  I need to do my best to be accurate and honest if I really want to progress toward integral healing.