The Loving-Kindness MP3 at it conclusion relaxed my mind and
body. I thought of a group of loved ones, my grandmother, mother and niece. When
I visualized them, I immediately felt comforted, relaxed, warm, cared for and
loved. My physiology resulted in less tense muscles in my trapezius, back of
head and shoulders. I notice some rumbling even in my gastrointestinal area. Taking
time for inner practice makes one think they are wasting time. Taming the mind
to realize and understand the value of such practice is the only difficulty for
me. “Everything meaningful in life is achieved through effort, discipline, and
perseverance” (Dacher, 2006) . I know that
statement to be true because I have used that recipe many times to get me
moving physically (daily exercise and proper nutritional considerations). I
would recommend anything that helps one become healthier and more alive
spiritually. The Loving-Kindness practice opens up the mind to higher levels of
consciousness and wisdom. How much better of world we could live in if
selfishness and self-interest no longer existed; that loving-kindness attracts
loving-kindness, we get back what we give approach (Dacher, 2006) .
Dacher, E. S. (2006). The Integral the Path to
Human Flourishing Health. Laguna Beach, CA : Basic Heaith Publication.
Mental
workouts are mind training and a daily commitment just like physical exercise,
human flourishing being the end result. Perseverance is necessary to maintain
both physical and mental conditioning. Although we can relax during these
sessions, the aim is the development of an expanded consciousness and our
healing capacity. Mental works, according to research can transform the mind by
reducing disturbing emotions that lead to anger, hatred, fear, worry, confusion
and doubt, while enhancing positive attributes, such as patience,
loving-kindness, openness, acceptance and happiness. Before I do my physical
workouts, I will sit still and listen to the loving-kindness MP3. I know the values
of mind conditioning and preparation and the positive affects it has on the
physiology. When I am happy, my muscles, lungs, heart and joints respond better
to physical resistance and calisthenics. In other words, I get a great workout
and I am stronger physically!
Hector,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great response, keep up the blogging. I never think about meditation type of activities BEFORE a workout; for me it always at the end. I love doing a dance style cardio, yoga then meditation to reflect of what I have accomplished and what I will do the next day. Music also plays a role in my meditation, always zenful.
How long did you participate in the loving-kindness exercise? I am about to start tonight and would like to know if you felt it worked on you instantaneously or if you had to practice the exercise a few times to grasp and truly get the experience you described? Do you think this is something that you could practice every day? I am happy to hear about your efforts on improving yourself holistically and doing your best to achieve human flourishing. It will be a long, slow road but I can imagine well worth it. Do you have some advice on specific mind training exercises that you feel would be beneficial for the rest of us to utilize to complete a good mental workout?
ReplyDeleteHector,
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your blog, I enjoyed reading your post. I like the approach that you took when doing the Loving-Kindness MP3, I had a hard time with this because I constantly felt my thoughts drifting and thinking of all of the other stuff that I needed to get done, which is unfortunate because I started out really wanting to participate and have it be effective for me. I really enjoyed your explanation of a mental workout, you described this perfectly and just as it is important to exercise your body physically to obtain and sustain optimal well-being it is equally important to workout the mind, to obtain that well-being as well. Keep up the good work Hector, you are doing a great job!
Michelle
Hello Michelle, and thank you for replying to my blog.
ReplyDeleteI am on day two of listening to the Loving-Kindness MP3. I am challenging myself to listen for seven days straight. I really need to remember to silence my cell phone. I got two calls, a voicemail and your reply notification during my session. What I found interesting is that even though I got distracted a couple of times, I still got some benefits. Again, I feel loved and in a giving spirit, so I am immediately responding to your communication. Even though your mind drifts, with practice that will subside. Invent in the time to mentally practice, you deserve to treat yourself and reward others with your experiences and care. We truly are connected as a whole, this ocean of individual waves seeking enlightenment and truth. Working towards the inner-mind, taking the time to focus on developing our higher being, elevates us to higher states of consciousness, intelligence, wisdom, community, love, and sharing. Of course, this progress will manifest your physical appearance, attitude and light energy. Okay, now I am pumped for a great workout. I am on my last two weeks of a round of P90X. Hang in there and keep up the practice for seven days!
Hector,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got a good experience from the loving-kindness meditation. I was doing okay with it until it got to the part about breathing in the suffering. That I didn't do. But I did get a chance to feel relaxed. I think it is great that you are challenging yourself to listen to this meditation for a week. This will sound bad, but I don't feel any motivation to do that. I hope that you experience some great changes. It would also be kind of neat to see if the loved ones you focus on during your meditation feel a difference too.
Melissa
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHi Melissa,
DeleteI often wonder if Jesus took-in suffering and projected wellness. Or that we have the power within ourselves to heal and he helped that journey with his mental power and communion with ours. I must admit to being comfortable assimilating others pain. I feared for myself, a bit at first, but realized I was giving and sending out health in turn. My projections towards the loved ones I send my energy, I believe benefited due to our connectivity of thoughts and this plane of existence. Turning away from the physical dimensions and having faith we are more than pure flesh is a part of this exercise we call life.
Hector, you said a mouth full. Making ourselves take the time for such practice is the hurdle we will face. I am convinced that these exercises do work, if we could just make up in our mind that it would be so very beneficial to take time and make a practice of them. I see so many people that could make use of these loving-kindness exercises. They are so self-involved and self-centered and I just wonder how they can be of any good to others.
ReplyDelete