Unit 4 Blog - 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 actually found this exercise to be very insightful and helpful. I can really understand what it means to love others over ourselves, it is so important to love and help others in order to actually be loved in return. I read this book a long time ago (part of the many things I was reading back then, I'm into the Kabbala) in any case, it says that in order for you to allow love into your heart you must be able to love yourself and give of yourself unselfishly. It's an awesome way to think and I follow this train of thought in every thing I do and with every one I meet.

 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?

To me, the word “Mental Workout” itself implies exercising the mind or working the mind to be healthy.  According to Dacher (2006) “Mental Workout” means utilizing contemplative practices to help tame the mind’s constant mental activities and train it along with opening one’s heart, expanding consciousness, and progressing towards psychospirtual flourishing.  The goal is for progressive development of an expanded consciousness and healing within the mind, body, and spirit.  There are two contemplative practices; they are loving-kindness and subtle mind. 

Dacher (2006) explains through the contemplative practice of loving-kindness, an individual will be able to open their hearts to others and slowly reduce their selfishness so they can grow towards the development of psychospiritual flourishing.  The contemplative practice of the subtle mind addresses three levels that opens the mind and reveals insightful wisdom of truth of life and existence.  Research indicates the proven benefits of a mental work out results in awareness and experiences of the mind and its many levels and capacities in healing and the development of the qualities of human flourishing which are health, happiness, and wholeness.

So in order for me to implement mental workouts to foster my psychological health, I would need to devote at least one hour a day of my time and effort towards incorporating one of the contemplative practices of either loving-kindness or subtle mind.   By doing so, I could feel calm and at peace with myself and I can proceed with benefiting good health, happiness, and wholeness within myself.

Ok so today at work I feel like such a jerk!!! I messed up on 3 files and got called out on it....this sux....I'm trying to take that minute to tell myself it is what it is and just take my time later to get it right. But I still feel so stupid and angry at myself for messing up...Plus I now get to sit here in this guys (my boss) house while he is here all freakin day and feel stupid.....ARGHHHHHH

On a scale of 1-10 I would have to say my spiritual self is about a 9...I am always aware of my inner self, how to keep myself balanced and focused. 

My physical self can use alot of work tho....LOL I would say that is about a 7, I need to do way more cardio then I do and more walking.

I know I'm pretty healthy inside and out, I just need to do a little more to get my exercise on.

What helps me relax...

After some serious reflection, I can honestly rate my physical well being at an 8…I get migraine headaches that last about 3 days every month, my knees are not what they used to be either, but all in all I’m in reasonably good health. My spiritual well being I would rate a 10 because I know how to keep myself balanced after years of intense imbalance. I am pleased to say this also, and proud of where I am and the person I have become because of it. My psychological well being I would have to rate a 9. I know I’m crazy…lol I keep my brain functioning with school work and I keep myself focused.

I use meditation, deep breathing, relaxation and walking often to keep my “whole” body well. I have practiced these for many years and it has really helped me get through some very tough times.

After doing the exercise I really felt relaxed. I like to use different types of relaxation methods to help me release tension from my body, I would use the relax every muscle slowing from head to toe, or deep breathing and stretching combined. They are all great forms of stress release.

Moving forward

Helping my son deal with his stress levels is working out really well with the help of this class. He is always stressed about something which makes him physically sick. I am going to use him as an example as to how we can heal using the integral health method...I'm sure by the end of this course if he continues to follow the method, he will do a lot better in managing his stress.

Day 1

So classes started today and I have both of them on Wednesdays....that's fine. These are gonna be cool classes and I'm looking forward to them.

Classes begin

Hello my fellow students,
my last post about two yrs ago was pretty stressed, but I'm all better now...LOL
Thru the years I have learned to manage my stress levels pretty well, of course we all go thru those moments when things just get overwhelming and we need to let it out. I have had many of those moments, but have learned that stress does nothing for my mind or body, but wreak havoc, so I sit and meditate on what I do have and try to relax my mind and body.

It seems to do the trick.

See you all soon

Maurie