Listening to the first two tracks of the Integral Health's accompanying CD I tried to experience and pass along loving kindness. Dacher describes loving kindness as “embracing others” (p 51), “a heart to heart connection” (p 51) and “a practice to open our hearts to other and gradually diminish self-centeredness” (p 65). I started the CD and focused my thoughts first on my husband. I felt a warm surge come from deep in my abdomen and a much focused energy on the love I have for him. After only a few minutes of sending that feeling to him my phone rang. It was my husband calling to check in. We tend to “check in” with each other once or twice a day, just to see how the other person is doing. I immediately asked why he’d called at the moment?? What he feeling something particularly loving?? Laughed and asked why…and that yes, he’d felt a quick surge of warm feelings and called. I was amazing as was he when I told him what I’d been doing. I’m still very excited about that experience, and excited to put this meditation to practice. The concept of a mental workout is similar to a physical work out. In order to move beyond rest and relaxation and into a “progressive development of an expanded consciousness and its healing capacities” the practices must be part of one’s everyday life. Research has shown that by doing contemplative practices one can change their brain’s neural pathways which can have a positive impact on attention, memory, perception and imagery (Dacher, 2006).
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Pathway to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
That is so cute that you all check in through out the day to see how things are going. My husband and I call each other throughout the day too. Anyway, the exercise wasn't bad at all. I had a hard time getting into feeling loving kindness for strangers. However I had a great deal of love for my family and those who are suffering. I couldn't envision a group of strangers in my mind.
ReplyDeleteThis is something that would take practice. I don't think it is something I would do on a daily basis. I don't feel like I enjoyed it that much like the other exercises.
What a wonderful post. I'm so happy that you had this experience! It is easy to sent loving kindness to those we love and care for. I'm finding it hard to do the same for those that have hurt me. I walk in forgiveness and ask for strength daily to help me forgive those persons, but when I try to send them loving kindness I find that I still feel the pain of their actions. May God help me to forgive---it is for my own good, Right?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Darlene:)
What an amazing experience! I am sure that was exciting for both you and your husband. I found it easy in this exercise to think of my wife and my son; it is great that this exercise could bring us to think of those we really love and bring a warm feeling. I agree that it is difficult to think of those that have hurt us or also strangers in this exercise. Thanks for sharing.
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