Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Loving-Kindness-Unit 4


1.Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?
 I loved the exercise from the MP3 as I had tried it twice from the book and was confused about a couple things.  I was very relaxed.  I started using my husband as my calming source as he is such a comfort for me.  During the tape I switched to my granddaughter.  She is 21 months and she has such an innocence and unconditional love for everything that she gave me neutral warmth.  When I used my husband I had thoughts of conversation and it distracted me. When I’m with him we talk.  I’ll work on that.  I would recommend this to others.  Only serious open people though.  I don’t need friends judging and joining in and critiquing while I’m figuring this all out.  I only want to deal with classmates during this time.   I’m serious about my growth. 
I need some clarification about taking the suffering of others into my heart.  I’m hearing that I have the power to dissolve that suffering for them and send back healthiness.  It’s a big step to say “give me all that illness and I’ll get rid of it.” 
 2.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?
Daily workouts or practice sessions are necessary to change or grow whether it’s physically or mentally.  We’re working on human flourishing and Dacher, 2006, states that “loving-kindness and wisdom are the essential elements that heal at the source and drive human flourishing.” When I’m taking on a person’s suffering and sending out healing and loving-kindness there is no room for judging that person.  We’re forgiving them and unconditionally loving them.  It takes wisdom to know that we must get past our own hang-ups or guarded feelings if we truly wish them well.  That’s truly eliminating self-centeredness. 
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

10 comments:

  1. I love your blog and comment about having no room to judge a person when you are sending loving kindness out to them. In my recover program we are told that if we have a resentment towards someone that we are to pray for that person....ironic but it has worked for me! Sometimes the person I had the resentment towards and I would make up and everything would be alright and at times mending was not possible....but my heart felt better and I stayed sober!!

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    1. This exercise has really helped me deal with nasty people from my past. I can move past the hang-ups and lump them into a group and send out good feelings. I don't have to eat dinner with them but I know I can handle running into them and be professional now. "Forgive them for they know not what they do." Sounds good!

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  2. I enjoyed you post and any one in who is in the health field need to remember that we are not here to judge we are here to help heal and forgive. In my work I do this on a daily basis. I center my self before going into a session. This helps me stay focused on the clients problem and I send positive energy to them so they can heal. If everyone took the time to forgive and help and not be judgmental the world and everyone in it would have better health and be much happier. Forgiveness is the ultimate sacrifice and loving is the best medicine.

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  3. Hi Karen

    You made a good point about the taking in ones suffering. But I took it to mean to just think about someone who is having a hard time right now and send out blessings there way. and also to see if something comes to mind in which you could contribute postively to this person in some way. I think that people who believe in intercessory prayer and praying for others would understand the concept. I think it goes hand in hand with that practice. To believe that prayer for others work could also mean to meditate and think on another and send blessings there way also works. I suppose it is to also say that if it can work for oneself then why not for another.

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  4. Karen,
    I really enjoyed your post and agree that it was far easier to focus on a child as a source of relaxation as opposed to a spouse or other adult family member. Often times our minds likely would wander to thoughts of conversations, fights, trips, or other interactions with these individuals which would detract from the audio exercise and reaching a sense of peace and relaxation. I know that many of the adults in my life wouldn't exactly elicit a sense of "peace" in my mind.. both good and bad!
    I also agree that the idea of a mental workout is one which could prove to be quite useful and is something which I hope to implement in my own life moving forward. Great post as always
    Leo

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  5. You are so right, letting go of those bad feeling and hang-ups will really benefit us all in the end. But I have to say that is where I struggle the most. It is so hard for me to not judge those around me and then when I do and find something I don't like I get all in a tizzy about it. My poor fiance can't stand it! For example, we went out to lunner (lunch +dinner) in a really nice part of town. Sitting acros from us was a table of 5 people; 2 mid fifties business men, a 50ish woman and then 2 barely 21 girls (one was asian and the other indian). Based on their conversation I figured it was an madame with her to escorts having a business meeting with two clients. But the problem was that the 2 girls were laughing at EVERYTHING the men said and it was one of those annoying high pitched fake laughs. I couldn't let it go for the whole lunner! It put me in such a bad mood...I really do need to learn to let things go.

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    1. That's so funny. I think about when I told my 21 (at the time) year old twin boys that if they get talked into going to a strip club to remember one thing. Those girls are dancing up there thinking what dumb asses they are as they take their money. My estranged dad flies to Russia to pick up a new wife every couple of years and when they don't work out he finds a new one. They never marry him but he keeps falling for it. I feel your frustration!

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  6. Hi Karen
    In enjoyed reading your post for this week, and I agree with you about recommending the exercise to serious people because I dont need to be crtiqued either. I thought this was a positive experience, that I will try it again. Thanks for sharing, ave a great week.

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  7. I am pretty good about letting the bad go, but there are just times that it is so hard to do. That is the biggest thing that I need to change. I have to be more open and receptive to them as well as myself. I agree with having to figure this out and get it down for myself before sharing with friends.

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  8. Hi Karen,

    This is the ultimate proof that we are all one block made of different puzzles. The whole shape of the block depends on how well each puzzle is cooperating. I believe this a great thing. I had this experience with my son when he was 2 years old. He got this worm-like rash on his scalp, and after the treatment, he was bold in the middle. After trying everything from dermatologists, I had this strong desire for my son's hair to grow back, and when I was praying, I could feel my soul yearning, crying, imploring, and my faith kept growing overtime, and this is how my son's hair grew back. yes, it is possible to help others through spiritual connections, but you have to have a sincere desire for it to happen.

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