Amare Est Vivere

Loving Kindness Exercise
Today I did the Loving Kindness exercise from the Dacher CD, and perhaps I just wasn't in the mood, but I liked this exercise the least so far. I was sort of nice to hear a new voice (a female voice) guide the meditation today, but I was not relaxed at all. There was an ocean wave loop playing in the background; I specifically kept noticing when the loop would restart which was irritating. The voice would say a few things and then stop for a minute or so, and then I was left with the waves not knowing when or if the voice would come back. It felt a bit depressing actually. Maybe it was a combination of my mood and the rain outside, but I felt like I was walking on an empty beach at dusk. It felt like perhaps I had been shipwrecked and I was all alone on this deserted island - helpless and alone.

The waves also reminded me of those white noise machines you can buy to help you get to sleep. I never liked those things.

Mental Workout
The concept of "Mental Workout" refers to conditioning of the mind to become quite and at peace. Just as Olympic athletes must train their bodies, so must we gain the ability to train our minds. By concentrating on stillness we slow down our breathing, relax our muscles, and compose clearer thoughts. Studies show that positive thoughts and inner love can have beneficial affects on our physical bodies. This promotes holistic health and wellness.

To implement mental workouts in order to foster my psychological health I can take time out of every day to become quite and still. Yoga is a good way to relax the body and focus on a fit mind. Meditation and the aforementioned exercises can offer the clear thoughts necessary to complete well devised skillful action.

*By the way, amare est vivere is Latin for to love is to live.