I believe I wrote before either here or in DB that I was uncomfortable with taking on anothers suffering. With this exercise,Universal Loving-Kindness, Dacher(2009) I was much more at ease. The attitudes expressed are the values I hold dear. My mother always said I was out to save the world and usually at the expense of myself. Now I am more aware that I am less able to help if I cannot be strong within myself. These words are almost exactly what I ask for when I pray. Maybe by taking it in deeper within myself I might exude more of that sentiment.

In taking the assessment I find the one that grabs my attention most is number 2. This principle is understanding that a conventional medical intervention may be indicated and should be in certain situations. Using the approaches toward integral health may help reverse the underlying issue and speed recovery but also reach further toward long lasting or dare I say it...permanent resolution. There is deep conflict within that needs to be resolved. Problem being it is an interpersonal thing and while I can want and be willing to work toward a resolution I cannot make another change. I believe by practicing things such as Kindness. The Dacher text reminds us that "loving-kindness attracts loving-kindness" (Dacher, 2006, p. 65). Even if this person never comes around I will be a better person for it.

 

Training the mind. What a workout for practicing Loving-Kindness and Subtlety this past week in the wake of the elections. Good Grief! What I witnessed and experienced through social media was anything but loving, kind or subtle. I am a passionate person and a self admitted hot head at times...can I blame being Italian? LOL Anyway I did think to myself on many occasions "how should I best handle this?" I was being attacked on a personal level! So I thought to the lessons we are learning. I took deep breaths and when I did respond it was from a place of calm. I actually surprised myself on one occasion when before I would have gone off like a brick of C4 I looked beyond myself and saw a bigger picture. So to answer the question as best I can is by understanding and embracing and through contemplative practice control over my thoughts and reactions to them I can take the steps towards calm and peace. I am not sure what my brain waves were doing as I have loaned out my EEG machine but I KNOW how I felt and more importantly how I didn't. I was a very lovely experience.

Peace,

Robin

I did listen to both mp3 exercises and I understand and embrace what Mr. Dacher had to say. I did not care for the Loving Kindness one at all. The breaks in the background sounds were nothing if not completely annoying and I couldn't help but think how long is this exercise? Furthermore I do get the concept of releasing myself from self-centeredness (Dacher, 2006) but why must I take on someone else's suffering, if even for a moment? I can be empathetic to their needs and supportive in their efforts to find peace but I have and probably will always believe that your burden is not mine to carry although I will walk with you on your journey.

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Heath Publications, Inc.

Hi everyone,
I hope this blog entry finds you in much better shape than I seem to be in. I am in a real funk as of late and try as might I have been unsuccessful in changing my "mind". I have not yet had the chance to complete the relaxation exercise but I will try when my 19 month old is sleeping tonight so for now I will discuss the first 3 questions.
All of my well-being aspects are a 3 or below right now. I am seriously stressed in all forms possible. I am finding that I cannot eat and when I force myself to do so I have at times become physical ill. I have headaches and musculoskeletal pain everyday and even when I take something like ibuprofen, which I abhor doing, it doesn't help. Spiritually I have been feeling less than fulfilled as I do not have many adult friends ( which also taps into psychological) that I connect with and many of the people I do know here are so self-absorbed I tend to stay away. I miss my family up North terribly and my husband is away again leaving me alone with a baby, running the house and tending to the animals. I feel like a caged animal who's keeper has left with the key. I am not normally a whiner in fact I am usually super perky and optimistic but those feelings have disappeared and not only is it puzzling it is also quite frightening.
My goal is to try to find the time to re prioritize my time/schedule and get back on track. I would like to start walking again with my son even if it is just around the block to breathe some fresh air and maybe even hear the rooster down the road or even crickets. I like crickets. I would like to also investigate maybe a Mommy and Me type program to hopefully find a new social network of like minded people. I am not so much of a religious person but I used to enjoy Tai-Chi as a form of exercise, relaxation and purpose. Maybe I should find that video tape or ...wait for it...get a new one, a DVD! 
I found the Dacher (2006) reading, Chapter 5: Preparing the Ground interesting and I think maybe I should turn some of those loving-kindness principles inward. All I do know is I must do something and soon.Thank you for taking the time.

Be Well and Peace,

Robin

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: The Path Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Heath Publications, Inc.