This exercise was different for me than the other exercises that we have done so for. I found it difficult to concentrate for the entire time allotted on the CD. In the text it states that if you are not able to concentrate for the full time, to gradually work up to the allotted time. I admit that for the last 3 minutes of the exercise that I was surfing the Internet and checking my Facebook page. Sorry professor!
However, even though I could not seem to concentrate the entire time, I did find the exercise beneficial. I have always had difficulty with expressing love for others and for myself. This made this exercise hard for me, but at the same time I think it made it more effective because I really noticed the difference. When I allowed myself to focus love and kindness on my loved one, myself, a friend in need, and then everyone...it made me embrace love and push it out for others to also benefit from.
When I was partaking in this exercise I felt very relaxed. At first when she told me to think of a person who I hold very dear to me, the emotional response was almost overwhelming. When I was projecting love and kindness out towards everyone, I actually felt a tingling sensation in my outer limbs. Overall, this was a different experience than any I have ever experienced to date. I would 100% recommend this exercise to others because it makes the individual look inward at themselves and to express love and kindness outwards towards others. Both are activities that do not occur often enough in today's fast paced society.
The idea behind a mental workout is just that, in order to keep a mind at its best, it needs to be worked. Just like with the physical body, ideally the mind should be worked every day. According to Dacher (2006), research and personal accounts have listed the following as positive improvements from mental workouts: provides enhanced resistance to mental distress along with physical disease; expands our healing capability; and helps our general wellbeing.
As I mentioned above, implementing mental workouts, or meditation/prayer into your daily life can be highly beneficial to the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. In order to implement this into your life, it is encouraged to start smaller so it is easier to implement into your life and to stick with. Then gradually increase to 1 hour sessions a day, usually the morning time is recommended.
Reference:
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.
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