This
was actually my second time doing the loving-kindness practice. Though I do
admit I think it is helping me, I have to admit I can tell I still need
practice with it. My mind still wanders quiet a bit. But I did find it calmed
me, even though I felt pretty calm to begin with. I am always tense through my
shoulders, I am told this is where I hold a lot of my stress, and I could feel
them relaxing throughout the practice. I would recommend this to others. I do
think it helps to calm stress anxiety throughout the day if practiced
regularly. I would just be sure to warn them to be patient with themselves on
getting better at it and that the more they practice, the better they should
get at it.
The
concept of a “mental workout” is to not only use these practices to relax, but
also to expand the level of consciousness and healing (Dacher, 2006). In order
to reap the highest level of benefits, this workout must be done often or like
the physical body, the level of improvement declines. The benefits are a higher
level of consciousness, a calmer mind, a more loving heart, cultivation of
wisdom, peace, compassion, happiness and wholeness.
Reference:
Dacher, Elliott S. M.D. (2006). Integral Health;The
Path to Human Flourishing. Basic Health Publications, Inc.; Laguna Beach, CA.
Hi Tonyah!
ReplyDeleteI am really glad that these activities seem to be breaking up some of that tension in your shoulders or your back. It seems like after these past 2 weeks things have been improving. Did you get anything beneficial out of the loving-kindess activity aside from a stress reliver? Did you learn anything about yourself? others?
I would say that these activities are "mental workouts" for you since you have been doing them often and they are slowly benefitting you! I love to see progress, this is so great!
Thanks for sharing.
Amanda
I completely agree with the first sentence of your post!! I love doing this exercises and I can tell that they do help me a lot. However, I also need more practice at doing them. It is very hard for me to relax and sit in a quite room by myself without interruptions or letting my mind wonder. I work all day and then come home to my four roommates (which I would not trade for the world). However, it just means I am not use to quite or to being alone.
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