My Experience with the Loving Kindness Practice:
This exercise was perhaps the most calming exercise yet. I think that I'm starting to get the hang of truly letting myself just become enveloped by the idea of letting myself go to the suggestive ways of relaxation and inner focus. I honestly believe that a lot of the comfort and ease felt had a lot to do with the sounds of the ocean and the waves gently crashing upon the shore. I found it beneficial because I felt refreshed by the time it was done. I've been working all day and my face is greasy, however, even that felt clean (No worries...I'm still going to clean my face...). It was not difficult for me, but that may just be because of the research into this kind of focus I've been delving into for the last four weeks. I'm mentally opening up to this practice. I would recommend this to others, but I would not recommend this one to others first. I think tha there would have to be more beginner or baseline practices first. I think the time allowed to let your mind roam free could potentially be overwhelming for someone with no experience in trying to just let the calm envelope them.
The Mental Workout:
The concept of the Mental Workout is just that - working out with your brain to strengthen it and your psychospiritual life. Much like a physical workout, the more time you spend effectively (with intent) training your mind the stronger and more powerful it will become! Research has shown that working out mentally will increase your memory, allow your brain to process information faster and can even slow the onset of Alzheimers. I actually do mental exercises every single day. I have a program on my computer called "Dr. Kawashima" and it allows my brain to focus on individual and uniquely challenging tasks that help to jump start my brain for the day. I've noticed that on days I skip it that it takes me a little longer to work up to the normally very expressive version of me.
Thanks for reading, everyone!
James Banks
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteI found this week's exercise more calming as well. Of course it may be the fact that I had the tv on soundscapes, plus the ocean waves, plus the narrator's voice, but hey, whatever works! I think this one was a bit easier for me because thinking of someone you care about and wishing them loving-kindness is not a foreign concept for us. I had a little trouble with turning it on myself as I am just that sort of "everyone else first" mom kind of person, but like you said, I think I am getting the hang of it as well. My only obstacle now is finding time to myself uninterrupted! Oh, don't forget to wash you face (lol).
Carrie Lawson