The Calm Corner Update, Tuesday 24th ... - Positive Wellbein...

Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

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The Calm Corner Update, Tuesday 24th March 2020

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5 years ago•5 Replies

Good morning fellow meditators,

I hope your practice has continued on an even keel. I had a dreadful session this morning. Thoughts of our Prime Minister's address to us yesterday were rolling around, and I got to the point where I just wanted to shout at my mind and tell it to shut up! But of course that doesn't work! What to do with that is just to sit through it and doggedly make yourself go back to your breathing.

Are any of you managing any more than 10 minutes yet? Please move on to 15 whenever you think you can manage it.

Today, because I suspect that some of us will also have some frenzied thoughts with the new move into more restrictions, I'm going to change direction a little. I'd like you all to still do at least 10 minutes of Mindfulness meditation today, and hopefully two sessions, but I'm going to share a little exercise called Loving Kindness, too. This is based on sending good wishes out into the world, and it starts with yourself. And that's because it you aren't calm and centred, and taking care of yourself, you can't concentrate on anyone else.

So for this one you don't need breath, (well, other than actually remembering to breathe anyway).

Start by repeating the words below to yourself, and really thinking about it, and meaning it.

MAY I BE FILLED WITH LOVING KINDNESS

MAY I BE WELL

MAY I BE PEACEFUL AND AT EASE

MAY I TAKE CARE OF MYSELF HAPPILY

Next we start to radiate the loving-kindness outward

Repeat the above words to yourself, but this time send loving kindness to your loved ones, wider family, and your friends.

Repeat it again, but this time, (and much more difficult) send loving kindness to someone with whom you've had bad feeling at any time and wish them well.

Send the same message to one stranger, repeating the same words.

Now go on to wish all of your fellow humans, in all directions of the world, some loving kindness, still repeating the same words.

Extend out to all creatures, not just humans. Remember all types of creature. Those on the earth, below the earth, in the ocean and flying in the air.

Finally, wish loving kindness to all beings, whoever and whatever they may be, within the earth and universe.

It's very calming and it can achieve amazing things if you find time to do this daily. It can eventually soften your heart to some of the people you like least.

Finally I'd like to send a YouTube link to a bell chant which is used at Plum Village, a Zen centre in France which is run by a very famous and respected monk/Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. The meditation bell chant is aimed not only at Buddhists but all who come to listen to it, and it's been watched thousands of time by all sorts of people on YouTube. It's one of the most calming things I've ever listened to and I highly recommend it.

youtu.be/256D--1seag

Wishing you peace and calm and happy meditating.

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5 Replies

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linda93895 years ago

Thanks again! I'm sorry you had a difficult time yesterday. I had to abandon my 10 minutes after less than 4 of them! Things escalated here last night and my daughter firmly announced she was moving out (for our sakes, as she is currently still working and feels she is putting us at risk). All the implications, the guilt, being torn ... all of it was screaming in my head last night and when I quieted other thoughts ... well that noise was unbearable! So I chickened out.

Don't worry, I'm feeling much brighter this morning. She has gone, but we have plans in place and everyone is calm again.

But I like the sound of today's suggestion - it gives me something to do. I'm finding doing nothing at all very challenging! Looking forward to trying this later, but first a run in the sun which I know will be great for both mind and soul 😍.

• in reply tolinda93895 years ago

Hi linda9389, yes I'm afraid that there are those times when meditation is just about impossible. I was near that point myself this morning, and, as a novice meditator it's probably best to do what you did.... abandon it, and go back only when your mind's calmer. It takes a very long time to get to the point where you can sit through that level of mind noise, and even for me it's a struggle.

Your daughter is probably right about the decision to move out, but our hearts always argue with our heads. I'm glad you feel a bit more on an even keel now.

Yes, do have a go at Loving Kindness. It's interesting what happens if you make it a regular thing in your life. And best, it's much easier than sitting and doesn't need much time, even when you are mid crisis.

Glad you are feeling a bit better now. I think we all have to expect massive change in mood from time to time and all disagreements will feel magnified. And a lovely run in the sun is another form of meditation and will do you the world of good. Enjoy and stay safe.

5 years ago

I really like your meditation. I think I will adapt the words to suit my own faith but I look forward to trying it.

I made the mistake of listening to the bell call while working from home. I nearly fell asleep over my laptop! It is very relaxing indeed. Thank you for sharing it Callendersgal.

• in reply to5 years ago

Hi Tenor,

Most faiths have compassion at their core so it’s almost always possible to incorporate Buddha’s teachings into your own, if it allows for that. Buddhism at its purest is atheistic and can be practised only as a philosophy quite easily. In fact Buddha said examine everything and adopt it if you see truth and merit in it.

I’m glad you found the chant relaxing. Plum Village, where it originated was founded by Zen master and world peace promoter Thich Nhat Hanh wrote a book ‘Living Buddha, Living Christ’ in which he says that when you are a truly happy Christian, you are also a Buddhist. And vice versa. So perhaps you will find yourself able to include some elements of Buddhism with your own faith. Anyway, in short I’m pleased if you are finding the meditation helpful. And I’m sure my own practise will settle down again. It’s good to sit with difficulties sometimes and is all still meditation.

Please take care and stay well.

5 years ago

Hi Jerry, Yes I’m really missing getting out for ‘proper’ walks and very much lamenting the lack of my Scottish country and contra dancing which is not only energetic but fun too, and filled with humorous moments. Fun and laughter have been abruptly curtailed and my body and mind still need to adapt to our new, sombre reality. But all sessions are meditation and it’s a good discipline to learn to practice amid difficulties. But that’s hard for me and nigh on impossible for a novice, so if really struggling it’s probably better to skip a session and try again at another time. So don’t give up, keep trying. Just like dieting and smoking, it’s easy to fail and make the failure an excuse to stop.

Take care and keep on trying 🌞⭐️🌙

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The Calm Corner Update, Tuesday 24th ... - Positive Wellbein...

Positive Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

The Calm Corner Update, Tuesday 24th March 2020

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