This week we focused on loving kindness. By listening to the audio that was provided as part of Dacher's text along with reading the text I was able to have a complete understanding of Dachers Loving-Kindness excersice. Taking the time to practice this excersice on a daily basis so far this week has been very beneficial to me. When I find myself feeling frustrated towards another person my mind reverts back to the words "take in their suffering, allowing it to disolve in your heart". Doing so helps remind me that we are all on the same journey together and that they may not be at the same point as I am. I read a book by Pierro Ferucci called The Power of Kindness about 1 year ago. This book has a chapter on patience. Ferucci discusses the true meaning of patience with others; I may be in a hurry to get where I am going but I should always remember that this may not be the case for others around me. It is important to have patience and understanding for others and try to imagine where they are in their own lives. This book seems to go hand in hand with the information Dacher is giving in his text. I feel that by practicing the loving-kindess excersice on a daily basis my true understanding and love for others will continue to grow.
The nost important aspect of this excersice that I would like to note is that it is impossible to show loving-kindness to others if you do not have it first for yourself (Dacher, 2006).
Hi, Stephanie!
ReplyDeleteFirst I'd like to say how much I love your blogspot! Love the background and your enthusiasm for life!
This exercise was a really good one! I do believe that we can't have love for others until we do for ourselves. But I also think that having love for ALL others is the key that locks most of us out from doing so...especially when we try to love those that aren't exactly positive or may be down right ugly (I'm not using "love" here as a relationship, more of the loving of all mankind..and womankind!). I think I will be searching for the book you recommed. I hope that each of us takes something very positive from this class and the exercises...especially this one! Thank you for your insight.
~Roz