This week, we listened to a Loving Kindness mp3 audio and I found it to be very helpful. This audio talked about how Loving Kindness is so important and how “we get back what we give”. I think this is absolutely true. We have to love ourselves first, before we are able to love others. It also talked about how to think about someone who is a great love in my life. The first two people that came to mind were my son and my husband. I don’t know what I would do without these two special men in my life. When I thought about them, they just fill my heart with such love, kindness and compassion. It was very easy for me to move onto the next step to turn those feelings towards myself. I also found the audio to be very relaxing because all I could think of was the ocean and the beach. I just kept hearing the water splashing up against rocks during the audio presentation; it just made me feel so relaxed and loved! I would definitely recommend this audio for others as well. It is very helpful because at the end you are able to reflect on how you feel and you can jot down some notes in your journal if you want as well. I find this one to be the best out of all the audio presentations we have listened to so far.
The concept of “mental workout” is the idea of training our mind. The benefits of a mental workout is being able to gain access to “unity consciousness and to a higher consciousness-wisdom, peace, compassion, happiness, and wholeness” (Psychospiritual flourishing). I know that I have been able to train my mind lately by focusing on what make me truly happy. For example: I started running about 3 months ago and I just kept saying that I could never run a mile. However, I never stopped trying and I eventually have trained my mind to focus on my music. I have now been able to run almost 4.32 miles. That is absolutely amazing for me to be able to train my mind to stay focused and to be happy. We can train our minds to do many things that can bring us happiness and peace to our lives.
Reference:
Dacher, E. 2006. Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Psychospiritual flourishing. Chp. 6.
Thank you!
Sara DeSanto
Thank you!
Sara DeSanto
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI found this weeks exercise helpful, too. Isn't it great how thinking about someone that you love makes you feel so wonderful and changes your whole demeanor?
I find myself more and more trying to train my mind and I really believe that I am seeing results in some areas. I have a terrible habit of wanting to change everything all at once. I have to take a step back and do these things in moderation.
That is wonderful that you have been able to train your mind and can now run 4.32 miles. Using our minds in a way to do things that bring us peace and happiness is so much better and more enjoyable than concentrating on all the things that are wrong or could go wrong.
Cherri Looney
Hello Sara,
ReplyDeleteI agree that “we get back what we give” is so true. I think the world would be a better place if we all treated each other better. I like what you said about having to love ourselves first before we can love others. That is very true also. We definitely need to love ourselves before we can spread love. I know how you feel, my husband and my children are the most important people in my life. Without them, I would not be me. Before this class, I had never thought about a “mental workout” but now I think it is a very important thing to do. Great job with your blog this week.
Tabatha
Sara,
ReplyDeleteFantastic story regarding increasing your physical endurance and likening it to mental toughness. I truly believe that when it comes to running you're doing both things at once. I remember when I started running. From where I was them to where I am now the difference in how I'm able to focus on one singular thing has enabled me to block everything else out and key in on what is important; Finish the run. Applying that mental tenacity to other things I do, including things like homework, have increased my ability to focus in general sharply! Great post!
James Banks
Hello Sara. I think it is very important to remember that saying of how one must learn to love themselves before one can actually love others. Very true! In this day and age, there really is just a taking of things instead of giving back, and it would be wonderful if people actually gave more love and kindness to each other. That would make the world a better place for everyone.
ReplyDeleteJessie Mansanales
Hi Sara,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog. I agree we do get back what we give. If we do not like or even love ourselves it is really hard to give that back. This is an area I have been working on and still need lots of work on. I look forward to your blogs.
Donna Hick