Loving Kindness

Upon completion of reading chapter 6, review the section ‘Getting Started’ (p.66). Begin practice 1: Loving Kindness. Listen to tracks # 1 and #2 on the Dacher CD. Practice the Loving Kindness exercise this week. In your journal (blog), record your reaction to the exercise.

1. Describe your experience. (Did you find it beneficial? Difficult?) Why or Why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or Why not?

I think the Loving Kindness practice is extremely beneficial for me and I would definitely recommend it to others, first, anytime set aside for you whether it is 5 minutes or 5 hours is going to be beneficial for reflections. I think learning to open my mind and my heart for me and toward others can only be beneficial. I strongly believe that modern times are extremely stressful for all of us and we tend to compare and envy our neighbor,  and brothers.

Giving each feeling and thought that entered my specific time with love and kindness made me smile. I huge smile made me even warmer as I pictured my debts and personal crisis playing in a field like little sheep! I have learned that dwelling on such worries don’t get me anywhere. This exercise has was beneficial and while I do feel that I could spend more time focusing on and releasing the chatter of my mind, I may do it in a different way. I have learned that regardless of how we accomplish this task the most important objective is to make the time to release. A reoccurring excuse may be that we just don’t have the time to do exercises such as these on a normal basis. Allotting specific time is definitely going to improve the area of change necessary for integral health.

The observation of mental movements was difficult but I could see how with practice letting go of the images and fixations we are used to thinking about constantly can be obtained. Repetitive attempts at this exercise would help to bring calm.I also feel that we tend to forget to appreciate that it is not going to be that easy. That we were given the how to problem solve, that tomorrow will come, and often that all the loving kindness we need wakes up with us in the morning. We are so blessed to have this extra day.

2. What is the concept of “Mental Workout? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a Mental Work Out? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

The concept of “Mental Workout” is similar to a physical workout. The benefits are gradual but as the workout becomes more consistent you also become stronger and reap your rewards. Research shows that although the workout maybe similar it is also a reverse process. When gaining physical rewards the effort is started from a sluggish lifestyle to become more active and healthy. When creating a mental workout the overused and over exercised part of the brain is actually slowed and brought to an area of calmness and unity.