My experience with the mental workout was very
enlightening. Many times in the past
when I have prayed or meditated, I focused on myself and my own problems. I have never thought of myself as being selfish, but in all honesty,
when I put myself and my problems above everyone else’s, that is exactly what I
am. When I meditate and prayed for
someone else, it made me feel whole, calm, and more aware of how blessed I am. I found the experience beneficial because it
gave me a rest from thinking about my own problems.
I would recommend it to others. I feel that a lot of the problems we have in
the American society today is because people are too focused on their own
problems. This past week an armed gunman
walked into an elementary school and threatened to kill everyone there. But a young woman who was a school employee
calmly talked with the man and convinced him to give himself up and as a result
no one was hurt or killed. The young
woman has been interviewed time and time again, but I believe it was her
compassion and her faith that helped her keep the gunman calm. If we could all behave this way, I think we
could diffuse many of the volatile situations that happen every day.
The concept of mental workout is much like a physical
workout. It is an exercise that strengthens
the brain and the psychospiritual development. Research
has proven that we can learn to be compassionate and kind. We don’t have to the aggressive bullies that
many of us in America have become.
Mental workouts take the focus off ourselves and this can foster better
psychological health.
Resources: Dacher, Elliott S.; Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing; 2006; Basic
Health Publications, Inc.; Laguna Beach, California
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteCoincidence, I was just speaking with a group regarding prayer for self versus prayer for others. Growing up roman catholic we were taught to not pray for ourselves as much as pray for others and their well-being. I was never comfortable with the idea of asking for things or help for myself, I believed the "righteous path" would bring to me those things I needed without my direct intervention. In speaking this group from another church, where they tend to pray for themselves and direct help from a higher power, I realized how I could have been just a bit misguided. I do not think there is anything wrong or selfish with praying for yourself, we all need guidance, support and a sounding board that does not judge. By working through our own selves we better situate ourselves to help others.
Christine M. Dixon
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate to what you said about feeling relaxation when you took the focus off yourself. I felt the same thing. I felt selfish for thinking about myself. Almost embarrased. so strange and weird and wonderful at the same time.
Regards,
Jill Gazelle
Hey Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI am kind of opposite in the fact that I always seem to be praying and hoping for everyone else but not as much for myself. So it opened my eyes to the fact that I need more time to be somewhat selfish at times because I cannot leave my own self out. I practiced a few times this week and it really allowed me to find forgiveness in things apparently I was still holding onto that was not clear to me till then. I think the practice works if we can see things from it and they make us become more aware of how to better love ourselves as well as others.
Hey Debbie,
ReplyDeleteI think it's just human nature to pray when things are going really bad, we pray for ourselves first and then "oh yeah, don't foret about..." You're not selfish at all, it sounds like you have a really healthy outlook on life.
Colleen
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteWe live in a polarized society, one group of people wants to help others, there is another group that is preaching everyone for themselves, when you have two groups that are fighting and no one wants to compromise. The sad part about this whole thing is that a lot of people in this country allow the media to brain wash them, and when disaster hits home they want other to have compassion and love for them. I think what that school representative in Georgia was able to accomplish was remarkable, as this is how you show love-kindness. By demonstrating compassion, empathy, she not only saved her life, those of the children but she also saved that young men’s life. I hope that he received that message and knows that someone loves him, I truly believe that the lady had nothing but love for him that day.
I really enjoyed the honesty of your words this week, I think many times we focus on the me and not the we. I am so glad you were able to experience the calmness that you did and that you learned to share your special time of meditation with others in praying for them as well as for yourself
ReplyDeleteTake care,
amy