I appreciated this experience to reinforce
our need to unplug from all those things that keep us attached and drained. The permission to
let go of thoughts, images and feelings was very liberating. I found the liberation and the suggestion in
the book to start with 15 minutes and let it grow from there to be the best
benefit for me, especially this week when I have had four very busy, long work
days. I liked the sound of the ocean in
the background. I would recommend this
to others because we do need to learn to love ourselves before we extend our
love to others.
Mental practices such as the loving kindness
activity or meditation are actions considered as a mental workout which boosts
the brain to branch out and form new connections. Through these of activities such as the
loving kindness, we can grow and learn to express ourselves in
psychospiritual/psychological flourishing and health. For me to implement mental workouts to foster
my psychological health, I will need to practice. Making time in a quiet setting that would
allow me to fully engage in this activity to get the most benefit is the best
way I can improve in these areas.
Have a lovely week, Candii
I agree with you about letting go of these especially negative thoughts and emotions. The reading even went so far as to say that you could start with 5 or 10 minutes a day. I think we can all find that much time to do the practice. Any time we can devote to these mind expanding practices would be beneficial, I think. I will need practice also. These mental practices are new for me since I have never really meditated and I am not good at praying. Interesting side note, my husband has been reading my posts and asked me to teach him some of the techniques. He has never shown interest before in these types of things!
ReplyDeleteHi June,
DeleteHow exciting that your husband has interest. I used to use some of this on my daughter when she was in high school because she has always been a stress basket. She did have benefit from several types of activities like guided imagery and some meditation. She even took several classes in college that helped her to develop more tools to help with her reaction to stress. What mental practices do you find the most beneficial?
Have a great week ahead, Candii
Hi Candii,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog this week. I am glad you are benefitting from these exercises. I had a much better experience with last weeks exercise, but I have the flu and life stinks. It's hard to feel or give loving-kindness when I hate the world. Looking forward to a better week next week. I hope. Hav a great week.
Hi Lanie,
DeleteI am sorry you have been ill. It is no fun and leads to not wanting to interact or provide kindness toward anyone. I too hope you have a better week.
Thanks, Candii
Hi Candii. I agree that it is nice to get a break from all of the responsibilities and attachments in our lives. I like how you described that it is very liberating. I really agree with you on that one. I found I really needed this because I start a new position at work tomorrow and just left a very stressful one and I really needed to ease my mind before beginning my new journey tomorrow. Thanks Candii!
ReplyDeleteHi Tonya,
DeleteI hope that your new journey was fabulous! It can be very stressful starting by invigorating to start a new position. I hope that it was all you wanted it to be.
Candii
Hi Candii~ First of all let me say I love the picture of you and your dog. My dog and I are best pals too.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoy this class if only for the fact that it makes me unplug and clear my head of the many thoughts that rush through by the second. It was difficult for me to give myself the same loving-kindness that I'm so willing to give to others so quickly.
As you stated the book says try short times before going to 15 minutes if you need. I liked that...I didn't feel pressure to squeeze all this into my day. I found even 5 minutes helped. Good luck in your journey to continue to grow!
Hi Dana,
DeleteI do get attached to my animals. She is a wonderful dog, in fact one of the best that we have ever had. She was our daughter's second 4-H dog. Vanilla loves us all.
I truly have enjoyed this class, probably the most out of all of my classes. I think you are normal, especially if you work in healthcare. It is always easier to give to other than ourselves.
I like that the book suggested 5 minutes too, it seemed to fly and 15 minutes was over before I new it.
Thank you for your wishes, I hope to continue to grow.
Have a great rest of the week, Candii
Candii,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you found this very helpful. I couldn't concentrate on this program this week. I have been trying, all the others worked fine for me so far.
Hi Crystal,
DeleteWhy do you think this did not work for you?
Just curious, Candii
Yeah the sound of the ocean is great. There are many different meditation on youtube as well with sounds from the forest, the ocean, the rain etc. you should check them out I use them all the time
ReplyDeleteHi Shyam,
DeleteI have used several of the YouTube, but I just don't have as much time to use toward searching for those types of videos.
I am glad they work for you, Candii
Hi Candii,
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you on here this week. It is so strange that showing loving kindness to ourselves seems difficult. It made me wonder, if I can't show it towards myself, have I really been showing it to others. I feel love towards others and I am certainly kind to them, but is it generic? This exercise is tough for me, but I did like it. There are moments when I am focused and others when I feel very disconnected.
As always it is nice reading your post. Have a great week! Happy Mardi Gras!
Hi Brandy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting on my blog, I always love reading what you write. I hope you visit again.You are very insightful!
Your post made me wonder if I was being genuine, not just generic. But really is it true. You really made me think!! There are not very many moments that I am given pause to consider, you did that. Thank you! I wish you well and I hope you have a wonderful week, Candii
Hello Candi!
ReplyDeleteIf you liked unit 4’s Loving-Kindness exercise you will enjoy unit 5’s the Subtle Mind exercise as well! Each week I try the different exercises I gain a better focus and awareness. I have been able to focus and reduce stress by practicing the “breath” while riding the metro in Washington D.C. during rush hour.
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
DeleteI really thought I would. I had to try it three times. I really was not able to quiet my mind like I did during the Loving Kindness activity. That could also be because I have to work six days this week, no real breaks and worked a lot last week. You poor thing, I think my rush hour traffic is horrible yours must be worse? Keep breathing. I did while I followed a log truck up the highway at 35 miles a hour on my way to work this morning.
Have a great week, Candii