Unit 4: Loving Kindness

Describe your experience. (Did you find it beneficial? Difficult?) Why or Why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or Why not?

My experience with the loving kindness exercise was difficult on the first try. I was able to visualize my children in the beginning, but that thought fluctuated with a silhouette representation of God. I felt an overwhelming warmth and comfort with these thoughts and I was able to turn those feelings inward towards myself to some degree. I got restless at this time, so my focus seemed to have been all over the place rather than just myself. I struggled with the next phase of allowing negative and positive feelings and images exist without letting them go so easy. Like a baby holding on to a security blanket, it was just difficult to provide that love and care to both positive and negative. I wanted to destroy the negative feelings rather than allow them to exist. I would have to be consistent with practicing this exercise in order to get more of the desired outcome that emanates unconditional love through out the whole practice and not just at certain times when I am thinking of others. It was beneficial to practice because I did feel at peace once the exercise was completed. I would recommend this practice to others so that they too will experience inner peace within themselves.

What is the concept of “Mental Workout? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a Mental Work Out? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?


I think the concept “Mental Workout” is the same as the old adage “practice makes perfect.” In order to have success in any endeavor, one must practice regularly to get a more desirable outcome. The research indicates that the proven benefit of a mental work out provides progress in conscious development with some degree of healing capabilities. I can recall several different research studies that I’ve read in this course that demonstrates enough evidence that our minds can and will have an effect physiologically. I could implement mental workouts to foster my psychological health with practice. I think it would take less of an effort on my part over a period of time where it would be easier to complete mental tasks I am prompted to do during the exercise. As time goes on, I’m sure I will be able to capture that feeling as a mental reminder to myself, especially at times when I am dealing with daily stresses on a regular basis.