Well, I have to admit that Aesclepius and I didn't have a very good meeting this week. I had surgery on Wednesday and my focus was all over the place in the days leading up to the procedure and has been solely on pain management and physical therapy in the days since. I was more frustrated by this exercise than even the universal loving kindness because I didn't have the presence or absence of mind to fall into the practice. Even with my physical contraindications, I struggled with the approach of this exercise. It seemed to me it would have been much better suited to following the subtle mind practice where the mind has been "debugged" and calmed before specific visualization occurs. After I'm a few days farther out from my pain I'm going to try again, but after using the subtle mind practice, to see how my results differ.
Overall, the mindfulness practices have been very beneficial. The meditations helped prepare me for the procedure and I definitely use them in physical therapy to move through the discomfort and achieve the goal of rebuilding my arm strength. There's a lot going on right now in general with my mom's health and the more rapid decline we are seeing in her condition. I will need to have these practices in my toolbelt for myself to cope and stay functional in the transitional days ahead. After the dust settles and I start rebuilding a different life, I want them to be part of my growth and rediscovery process as well.
Health and wellness professionals have a responsibility to walk their talk. This is one area where hypocrisy is not an option. And because integral health is an ongoing process, I see the need for HW practitioners to continually be studying, experimenting, searching, and growing right alongside their clients. Then again, unlike a lot of professions, I don't think a lot of folks just wake up one morning and say, "hey, that'd be a neat major - don't know what kind of work I'd do with it, but I'll give it a shot and see what turns up." We are those who have healed and grown through pains, problems, and illnesses. We know there is more than we have been offered before and we want to take what we have mined and share it with others in a perpetual gifting cycle. Personally, I see a counselor, I read, I pray, I have a close faith community, I'm moving back toward realigning the physical so that all is in better harmony. Every single day I'm given breath, I strive to make progress on my journey no matter how big or small.
Still in this together,
Anita
Anita,
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to hear that your meditative practice didn't go well this week. I am also sorry to hear that you aren't feeling well, and that your mom isn't well. It is always tough when we are struggling with illness. I would like to say though, I admire your desire to keep trying these practices in hopes that they will work and benefit you. I can honestly say that I am not sure that I would have that much motivation or dedication. When something doesn't work, I don't usually try it again. I have very little faith in things and I have very little patience, so when these things don't work, it isn't likely that I will try them again. I did have an overwhelming experience with this practice this week, so I am unsure if I will try it again. I'm not sure how to feel about it. I love your outlook on life and do wish you the best on your recovery and with your practices. Take care of yourself.
Laura Beote
Hey Anita, I am sorry that you had surger but I am glad to know that your surgery went well. It is good that you was able to use the subtle mind technique to help you with the pain management and with the physical therapy. I didn't have good luck with them either and I believe that has to do with the fact that I didn't have much time on my hands to actually try and perfect it. Hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteShauna Phillips
Hi Anita,
ReplyDeleteI hope that my response has you feeling better and on the road of recovery from your surgery.
I have struggled with these exercises all along during this class, yet I had less of a struggle this week. I think that it was because we were asked to envision somebody either alive or passed. This gave me the opportunity to think about my father. This is something that always brings a smile to my face. He was a kind man and I miss him very much. Sometimes all it takes is getting yourself into the right state of mind before fully engaging in these exercises. I am sure that once you are in a better place physically that you will have an easier time with this process.
Thanks,
Kaitlin Moore