The basis of the teachings was on loving-kindness and having a subtle mind and on how to better achieve them. Loving-kindness focuses on diminishing our focus on ourselves, opening our hearts to others, making way for further personal development. Subtle mind has three levels of witness, calm abiding and human consciousness.
I disagreed with some of what Docher said. The more I give the more people take without giving back, it seems...until I am just empty from giving of myself to others. I have practiced focusing on others for a very long time now. Why? Because that was one way I dealt with depression. If I wanted to stay in depression, focusing on myself, then I could just sit at home and wait around for bad things to happen and grope and moan about the bad things happening in my life, but no, I did not want that for myself. God revealed this to me, I know HE did. If I focus on others, they get blessed, but I receive an even greater blessing by blessing them!! That is what helped me to overcome depression. I was determined not to live in a depressed state.
The loving-kindness exercise was so relaxing, I almost went to sleep. The second exercise where we breathed in the suffering of another person was very freeing. Helping someone else, by breathing in their suffering, even doing that for an enemy, and to breath out happiness, joy and wholeness to them. That just felt great to do. I also thought of my son, all the way back in Enterprise, and his loneliness, and secret suffering he has went through with the life and death of his daddy.
I feel slow to react, like my life and mind are too busy to stop long enough. But, as Dacher explains in the subtle mind portion, breath and breathing will help. This exercise relaxed me so much, I had to lie down and rest for a while.
The concept of a "mental workout" is to train the mind to begin thinking correctly and healthfully so that our mind can probe properly.
Dacher stated, “We get back what we give.” In one form or another, I have heard this all my life. I find this to be a true statement. I think we often miss the subtle ripples in the water as they return to us. From you description, I see someone with an out-pouring of loving-kindness. You have chosen to leave the negativity behind and embrace those “needing a hug.” Your hug back came from a higher level. The depression was erased and you have moved to a place (level) where happiness is possible. What an achievement!
ReplyDeletePerhaps the reason you feel "empty" after giving to others is that you don't take the time to re-fill. By this I mean some quality, spiritual time for self renewal. When I started the loving-kindness exercise I cound not get past acceptance of loving-kindness towards myself. I realized that it was easier for me to express love and kindness to others than to accept it from others.Maybe I just did not feel worthy. This was an awakening for me. Re-fill girl there is plenty inside and plenty who would give to you if you are receptive.
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