Unit 4 - Getting Started ~ 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 absolutely loved this exercise.  This is something that we are currently studying in our church.  Focusing on others more than ourselves.  I think the overall concept is an excellent way of coming out of potential depression, isolation and loneliness.  These are things I struggle with as I am a single parent that works full time and goes to school full time.  I do not always have the time that others have to socialize, spend time with family and friends or even date at this point which has a tendency to make me sink into self-pity.  I know that in the end the "prize" of graduation in March and the commitment I made 3 years ago to finish this degree was completely worth every second. My degree will enable me to help others through a mind, body and spirit capacity with nutrition and fitness, something I am very passionate about.  I did not find this exercise difficult in the least, it is something I try to do on my own daily and this exercise just helped me define my process.  I would absolutely recommend this to others, I think "moving out of ourselves" and purposefully thinking, praying and releasing thoughts about others helps us to focus on something other than ourselves, our problems and helps to circumvent stress.  I especially loved the section where we think of someone that is suffering.  For the last 8 months, I have been dealing with my 22 year-old daughter Taylor and her addiction to drugs.  This is not how she was raised but unfortunately she chose a path to mask her pain that took her down a very dark road.  I know this may sound strange and do not think I would have said this 8 months ago, but I am thankful that she and I have been given the "gift" of this adversity.  It has helped us both realize what we did wrong, her with her choice of addiction and me with my choice of enabling.  I love her more than words and I am happy to say today that she has been "clean" for almost 9 months.  She has chosen life and is willing to do all that is necessary to create the life she now wants.   I believe her psychospiritual growth is only beginning!

 

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?

A mental workout is just like working out the physical body. In a physical workout, the individual pushes the body to its limits and the body responds in turn with results.  The mind works exactly the same.  According to Dacher, "research studies and personal reports have also demonstrated that  mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause anger, hatred, fear, worry, confusion, and doubt while enhancing positive emotions such as patience, loving-kindness, openness, acceptance, and happiness" (Dacher, 2006).  I believe that I incorporate this mental work out daily when I actually do a physical workout.  I mediate during yoga and exercise allows me to get my mind straight through the generated endorphins.  I have always said that daily exercise for me is a cheap form of therapy and it is what has gotten me through many trials and adversities! Years of running has allowed for both mental and physical workouts.

Reference:

 

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