I already believe that taking time to slow my breathing and look inward for a few moments a week is what keeps me going each week. I feel better for the time I spend on myself and I know it makes it easier for me to understand my position, my role, in this World. Yeah, I may serve the people each day for hours on end but I make them smile and lighten their view of the World some days and they do the same for me. It works.
I would recommend this exercise to others who would like to grow psychospirituallity. The concept of loving-kindness is something we need more people to understand. If we care for others and they can care for us back healing can take place.
Letting go of negative emotional reactions and focusing on the positive aspects of life even when we are suffering or angry can create healing.
I liked focusing on those I am close to and focusing on myself. I think looking at my thoughts and what was comfortable about some and uncomfortable about others. Emotions are something understand quite well being that I have met each emotion intensely for years until I was able to organize and integrate my emotions into my whole view of myself.
Which brings me to the second question the professor wanted us to answer here this week.
What is the concept of "Mental Workout"? Well, I think a mental workout is actually using your brain. But according to our reading it is an exercise in clearing the mind or focusing on a specific thought. Research has shown that great contemplators can change their physiological functioning. They can mute their parasympathetic nervous system (the one that reacts to stress and makes our hearts race and bladders empty at the fright). Mentally working out can mean meditating, visualizing, and is very useful in clearing the mind. With a clear mind we may have a clear view of what is around us and within us.
What wonderful thoughts... I like that you comment that finding peace helps you to bring a smile to the faces of others when you are at work. I agree that it is so important to let go of the negative, and focus on what's good...way too few of us really do this. In regards to mental work outs...what's your favorite kind?
ReplyDeleteAmi
Ami,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite mental workout is meditation. Focused breathing and clearing the mind is a hard one for me sometimes but quite necessary.
After reading through all of this, I have to agree that negative emotions need to go away! But I am getting much better at it! I shocked my husband this week (I am natural negative person, it's easier for me to find the negative then the positive) when a situation came up that I would normally flip out about, I stand calm and level-minded. But then he laughs at me when all of a sudden I will just start doing deep breathing. But you right the more peaceful you become the more others around you become that way. It seems in this course and my last course people that know me, start conversations with me. So, I have to believe there is something that is so correct in thinking!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts!!
Shauntae
I agree with focusing your energy where it's needed most. My first priority has to be myself, then my husband and kids. If I have enough left after that for the rest of the world, great. If not, then I am still learning it's ok to tell the rest of the world no and not overextend myself. I would love to get to a point where I have the focus and energy to give more to the world.
ReplyDeleteJanelle R