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.
Hello Maur, enjoyed reading your blog. I've browsed chapter 6 but yet to read it thoroughly. However,I did listen to the audio on loving-kindness. I feel that I am on the right path towards this approach because I have decided to get rid of my selfish way and focus my attention on others because it gives me a sense of mental calmness. I'm realizing what it truly means to be generous, compassionate, and loving towards another person other than self.
ReplyDeleteAnita
Great post. I was interested to learn that in Kabbala they have some of the same ideas of loving others. I wonder if all these celebrities that say they are into Kabbala practice that exercise. I am a Christian but not the type that thinks my religion is the only way. I think most religions have a positive message. Some people may change the message to their own purposes but the original message is usually a good one. The Koran for example is a good book but the terrorists twist the words to suit their evil purposes.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI consider a mental workout going to school. LOL..All the informaion I have learned and continue to learn helps make my mental state amazing. It's facinating and it makes me feel good filling my mind with such amazing information from this class. I understand the mental workout concept but think the more we learn and study makes for a great mental workout as well. Some thoughts.
I like to do simple mental workouts, since I am a righty I will try to use my left hand instead. I think everyone should have to take a class like this then maybe more people would learn to use loving kindness. I find that volunteering really keeps me in touch with reality, so many people only volunteer at the holidays but why wait until then. I think that is a great way to keep self grounded and show loving kindness
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that you need to be able to love yourself to love others. It seems so simple yet it is hard for many to apply. Generally people who take care of themselves find it easier to love themselves. Sometimes people just need some kind words and a little attention to feel better. We have everything we need to show people kindness and love so we should use it.
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