Loving Kindness

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

I really found the waves relaxing as if I was actually sitting on a beach. I often find these sounds very relaxing and comforting. I self-reflect a lot, so I found this exercise to be much easier than the first exercise. I am still not quite comfortable on the voices, but it was not as bad as the first one. I have been doing a lot of self-reflecting lately, especially within my relationship. Due to my habit of bottling my feelings and emotions, I have allowed resentment back into my life and plague my relationship. It was nice to be able to reflect on this in a more positive way and release all those negative feelings. I did feel a tremendous load was lifted off my shoulders. I am a thinker; I have to think about everything. I often feel I over-think things a lot and as a result I allow negative thoughts and feelings into my life. I have always been a very passive person and as a result I have allowed others to walk all over me. I find happiness in doing for others before I do myself, but overtime I have realized it has really taken away from my self-confidence and self-esteem. I have a big heart, so when somebody's actions hurt me, I automatically take responsibility so they do not get hurt. I have learned by doing this, I am only hurting myself. I am really thankful for this class and learning more exercises to help bring me to a better overall mind and body!

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?

Mental workout in my opinion is the concept of working your mind daily just as you would your body. In order to evolve or enhance our psychospiritual life and have access to its capacities and resources in our daily lives, we need daily practice. When reading our textbook, it states “human flourishing may require an Olympian intensity of effort and practice, we can be well on the road to health, happiness, and wholeness with a far more moderate yet sustained effort” (Dacher, 2006). Research studies have proven that one hour each day adds up and results can be seen. It is just like playing a sport—once you stop practicing, you will typically see a decline in your performance whether it is physical or mental. If we incorporate and practice these daily mental workouts, we may very well have the opportunity to experience human flourishing; living a life full of great health, happiness, and wholeness. Life never made us a promise to be easy; it is our responsibility to make the best out of what we are given. Incorporating these techniques into our daily lives leads to better self-awareness of both mind and body.

I will likely incorporate more of these exercises to calm my sometimes overly restless mind. Due to some really difficult times in my life, I often find myself in a  dark place full of questioning everything and constantly searching for answers that are sometimes very difficult to come by. I have found meditation is very helpful in finding the answers to the things that often cloud my better judgement. I really enjoy meditating and I will definitely continue to find different ways to better embrace Loving Kindness in my daily life.

Quote:

“To reteach a thing its loveliness is the nature of metta. Through loving kindness, everyone & everything can flower again from within.”
― Sharon Salzberg, Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

 References

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications, Inc.