I hope this has been a peaceful weekend for everyone. In this blog we were asked to listen to the introduction to loving kindness and then practice the loving kindness exercise, and then answer these questions:
- Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?
- What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?
1. My experience with this exercise was nice. I felt very warm and light inside while doing the loving kindness exercise. I have done this exercise a couple other times before in my life as it was something we learned in my 200 hour yoga certification program. Each time has always been a different experience as far as whom I chose to in each category but the feelings of peace and warmth that radiate through me have always been the same. The speaker was much better through this exercise making it easier to focus on the act of loving kindness. I think this can be a challenging exercise for people because of the part about offering loving kindness to those we don't necessarily care for and this exercise could bring up some old emotional ties to those people making it difficult to follow the exercise. I also think though that if a person can get past those emotions that this is a great way to let go of past hurts forgive yourself and others opening the door for healing.
2. The concept of " mental workout" is to train your mind to be in shape as if you would train your body to be in shape. Benefits of mental workouts are: hanging the emotions from anger and fear to emotions of peace and happiness (Dacher, E. 2006). Things I could do to implement mental workouts to benefit my own psychological health would be, putting others needs above my own, truly being a friend when someone needs me and even when they don't. Reaching out and helping others for me decreases my own mental chaos and makes me feel better, it also makes me realize my life is not bad and my troubles are not so great. I can also implement mental workouts by allowing down time, for me it is a 30-45 minutes bath daily, in this I picture all my stresses and worries melting away with the bubbles, the lighting is soft so my eyes can relax the music is low giving me a little distraction blocking out the noise in my head. Finally before bed I say positive affirmations about myself, about the people in my life, about my life repeatedly so that I fall asleep in a state of happiness and joy. there are many things people can do to implement mental workouts into their lives these are just some of my own personal mental exercises that get me through daily and keep me from going completely insane.
Have a great week everyone
Namaste
Evening Ramsie,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post and your ideas to train the mind. Through the hustle and bustle of life and day to day responsibilities, I don't remember the last time I had a long bath. Just reading your post and imagining the bubbles taking my stresses, made me want to stop writing and jump in lol which is horrible because I have a new Jacuzzi and have only been in it twice! Your post made me realize that we must take time out to focus and heal our minds as well as the body. Time that could be used in meditating and sending up prayers for others wellness and healing which in turn would allow me to be healed because I took the time to lift someone else up. Thank you for your wise post.
Respectfully,
Desiree Stroder
I have to agree when we achieve loving-kindness it would be a benefit us in being able to let go and forgive others. One thing I have to disagree with though, is putting others before yourself. You have to remember to take care of yourself as well as others and if you are constantly putting others before yourself well that can lead to resentments. I do agree that we do need to put others first but just be careful to never forget to take care of yourself regularly.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. Mather, I am a firm believer in sending out positivity out into the world. I have noticed that when you greet people with a smile you are more likely to recieve a smile. As for meditation for a mental work out, I do a program called fit brains, where everyday you can do games and puzzles that increase your brain function such as problem solving, concentration, and memory. I like to learn, and although I struggle emotionally, lol, I hate the idea of a stagnate mind. Plus I have heard that education is a sophisticated emotional defense mechanism, lol. Good post. TTYL
ReplyDeleteRebekah