Initially,
I had a hard time visualizing the prompts and understanding what I was being
asked to do. Additionally, I found the voice unnerving. She sounds like a robot
and emotionless considering the topic is loving-kindness. This wasn’t my
favorite exercise to listen to, but I am looking forward to using the text. I
would recommend the text portion for loving-kindness exercise, but not the mp3
file, because I didn’t have a positive experience with it.
A mental workout is the use of contemplative practice to achieve human
flourishing. Studies have shown that those who use contemplative practice are
able to permanently enhance their well-being by altering the brain’s neural
circuitry. As with any new process it is important to start slow. Dacher
recommends starting 5-15 minute sessions daily until you become comfortable and
then increase your sessions by a few minutes. Selecting a time of day and
sticking to that time frame will help to establish a routine. Ensure that you
have quiet time to enjoy and get the most out of your mental workout.
ReplyDeleteBrandy,
I agree that the Loving Kindness exercise was kind of difficult when it came to following the commands because I didn’t know if I was doing it right and her voice wasn’t very soothing. The sound of the waves was kind corny at first but when I listened to it during longer breaks it helped me focus. I think that the best part about the exercise for me was when I was visualizing taking the pain and suffering from a loved one and giving them back positive vibes. My brother and father are going through some difficult times and it felt nice to visualize this for them, almost like a prayer. I also had trouble with my wondering thoughts. I kept thinking about different things and it was hard to shut that mindless chatter off. I didn’t think that the exercise was a completely negative experience but I would agree that the text version is better.
Lindsey
I thought the same thing about her voice.....it was not relaxing or calming at all....and to me, the way the music kept cutting out or stopping...this was not my favorite exercise at all.
ReplyDelete~Jackie
It appears that there is a consensus (among us at least) that this exercise was a tad more difficult to connect with than the others. I don't know that I can say for a fact exactly what it was that I couldn't connect with but I know that this exercise was far more challenging for me than the others. I do know that it bothered me to have to try to connect to the negativity of others because I don't make it a practice to do that; although, I do understand that she asked us to do that in effort to turn the negative into a positive. I usually focus on just making sure that the positive outweighs the negative thereby cancelling it out. I don't know but it was a challenge for me as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea of sticking to the same time of day to complete the mental workout as it will help to adapt the mind to it more appropriately. It's confusing to the at times just learning and training it to do different things, so I can definitely see how a pattern in the completion would really help. Even with our exercises we have completed, I have noticed that I do better if I complete them in the evening, closer to when people generally go to sleep rather than in the morning or middle of the day. My mind just doesn't know how to shut off at those times so it makes it even more difficult. However at night, my mind is much more inclined to relax so that is what I am going to stick with!
ReplyDelete