Unit Four: Loving-Kindness Reflections & 'Mental Workout'

First I would have to start by saying that I was a little skeptical. I think that it can be hard to find relaxation when listening to other people talk. After reading the practice I was intrigued and inspired to try it out. I think that just by reading and listening to the CD once, it would be hard to get anything meaningful out of it. However, after doing the reading and listening to the CD I am willing to give it a try. Dacher states that we have to put this practice into work and do it everyday a couple times a day in order to receive the full benefit and how right he is. When we begin an exercise routine we have to commit and workout everyday to get the full benefit and this applies to this practice as well. Since I do not have time to give this practice the time it deserves it is hard to say what the results will be. But after doing it just one time I can say that it is something that I would be willing to do everyday. Just thinking about those that I love and those that I hold close to my heart was enough to get the positive thoughts rolling and gave me a lift for the day. I would prefer to do the practice without the CD but that is because I prefer to read and then have the silence. I would recommend this practice to anybody. Personally I think that there is not one person that couldn't benefit from this practice. We all need to learn to love our selves and others better. Only good could come out of doing this practice.
Moving on...
According to Dacher, 2006, " It is a way of 'cross-training' our body, mind, and spirit all at the same time," (Integral Health, pg. 64). Mental Workout is a way to train our mind, to workout our mind just as we would our bodies. We have to work at being physically healthy by participating in different activities and this applies to our minds as well. The difference is that when we workout our mind we will get benefits throughout our entire body; physical, mental, and spiritual. There have been many studies done to show the benefits and to show the importance of a mental workout. According to Dacher, 2006, "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," (Integral Health, pg. 63).  It does not take a lot for us to put in a mental workout. We do not have to compare ourselves and our progress to those that are advanced because according to Dacher, we only need to complete an hour a day and it won't be long before we see results. An hour a day can seem like a lot to give when we are already so busy but if we can sit and watch TV for an hour; then we should be able to devote an hour to our well-being. My goal is to begin my own personal mental workout and I am going to start by doing the Loving-Kindness practice for 15 min. a day at least twice a day. It is not an hour but it is a start and it is a start in the right direction.

References: Dacher, 2006, Integral Health. Basic Health Publications, pages 63-64