Listening to the track Loving Kindness helped me to relax and get in touch with how my body was feeling. The session relaxed my muscles; I felt less tension after the session. I found this track to be beneficial. My conscious focused on loving. I felt good about feeling loving-kindness toward others. This was only my first trial, but I imagine with practice, I may achieve a higher state of consciousness, whereby I can feel a greater calmness in my inner self. I think the waves breaking on the shore and the sounds of an occasional flute playing in the background helped to soothe my pains, aches, and worries. I would definitely recommend this to others. It helped me to focus on loving-kindness and I don’t consider myself a hateful or bad person. I imagine it would be extremely beneficial to those with low self-love and self-centeredness.
“Mental workout” is a concept, which refers to training the conscious mind for psychospiritual development. It is analogous to training the body. Strides are met with effort and dedication to training. Founded by research, Dacher (2006) recommends an hour a day of contemplative practice to reap the rewards of human flourishing: sustained health, happiness, and wholeness. One can implement mental workouts not only by relaxation affects it has to the mind-body experience, but it can enhance healing and a growing awareness of self. Mental workouts, which inspire loving-kindness and wisdom, nourish the spirit to foster psychospiritual healing (Dacher, 2006, p. 65).
This blog is a learning experience and by trial and error I hope to implement those techniques, which will help me to achieve my true potential and true self. I chose Jesus as the person to whom I felt loving-kindness towards. It felt like prayer and it made me feel good about myself and towards others…I suppose that is a good start?
Reference:
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publication, Inc.
Hi Howell,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the rushing sound of water was relaxing. However, I was quite surprised when you said that the comtemplative practice in loving kindness was relaxing.
Personally, just the act of breathing in another person's suffering is burdensome. As I imagine some of the people I know in my country of origin, the sufferings are real and at times, they are too painful to comprehend. Perhaps, if I am god, then I can breathe in their sufferings to provide them some comfort. But I am not so we will leave it at that.
Regardless, I hope you do not take my comment egregious. Every one is different. I was simply poking at you :-)
Hi Howell,
ReplyDeleteI, too, enjoyed the background sounds. I have listened to other meditations that had ocean sounds or water falls. I think the flutes are my favorite because they bring a lightness to the meditation. I find it interesting that you chose Jesus as the person you have loving-kindness towards. Most people would choose someone close to them such as a spouse or a child. The fact that choosing Jesus gave the meditation a whole new level for you is great. Combining your spiritual with your psychological can be beneficial depending on where you are at in your journey. I am glad that this meditation allowed you to relax and enjoy the session.