SOPHY DAVIS-RUSSELL

7.01.2016

 

 Metta bhavana: to cultivate loving-kindness

 

I can't explain the feeling of leaving a meditation class. It feels like there's an elation inside of me that I can't explain, and it's like I've unleashed an energy that I didn't know I had. (You'll have to try it yourself to find out!) Wednesday evening for me is meditation practice now and I do it at the Buddhist centre in Bethnal Green. It's something that has captivated me. Anyone should go and just sit at the centre to feel the spiritual essence in the air and the serenity of the quiet place, even though it's located on a busy main road. I think you probably need to be open to this way of thinking and need to be a spiritual person any way to feel how powerful the air in that place is, but I do think even the most pessimistic of minds wouldn't be able to just feel nothing. The first time I went I honestly didn't think I'd be able to focus for the whole two hour session (as when do we ever really have a chance to sit quietly for a while doing nothing?) but it's surprising how quickly the time flies when you practise meditation. I have practised two different types of meditation, the other focuses on the importance of breathing, but the metta bhanvana I practised last night is my favourite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stages of metta bhavana practise...

 

- Start by bringing yourself to mind, and the good qualities that people may think of in you

 - Think about something positive that you've done for yourself that day (it can include simply washing and pampering yourself) 

- Then wish well on yourself by repeating 'I am well, I am happy, I am making progress'

- The next stage you think about a close friend and bring them to mind and a good quality they possess

- Think of this friend doing something they love

- Next wish them well ( he/she is well, happy, making progress)

- Lastly think of a difficult person and think well of them (they are well, they are happy, they are making progress) This part can sometimes be a little tough...

 

I realised the power of my mind when, at the beginning of this year, I felt a lump in my face. After on-going tests and the panic around waiting for biopsy results I genuinely started to worry that I had something quite serious. I tried to quiet my mind as I have always believed that any negative thoughts can create something, but being a worrier anyway, I couldn't always do that. I should have trusted in how strong I had felt before finding the lump, but the thought of cancer started taking over and made me feel ill, down and drained sometimes. The moment the doctor told me everything was clear those thoughts and feelings lifted, and that was my proof of how powerful my mind could be and the hold a simple thought could have over my entire being.

 

Within the busy and stressful life I lead in London it's nice to take some time to be quiet and pay some attention to my mind and body. Being mindful is something that we should practice but that we sometimes forget, and a lot of the time it's because we may not realise how important it is for our overall well-being. One lady I met once in a class told me that she had been going for two months and hadn't meditated properly until that time. I feel like I make progress each time I go and am able to still my mind more and more, but it's something that I know isn't going to be an instant thing and it is going to take a little bit of time to master. It's advised that you have to start practising at home and right now I don't think I could be still enough, but I will get there. I'm excited to take this journey to enlightenment - I think all of us could benefit from being more mindful.