After spending several days participating in the Loving-Kindness exercise, I have found that it has helped me refocus my attention to more positive thoughts and reduced some of the negativity that seemed to infect my life during difficult situations. It will continue to be a practice in my daily routine. I am very thankful for this assignment.
The trained mind can have a positive influence on several aspects of our health and wellness. Research has shown how the brain, when properly trained, can reduce unhealthy and destructive emotions that lead to anger, hatred, fear, and anxiety. Positive emotions can replace these less desirable emotional responses with happiness, loving-kindness, patience and a sense of well-being.
During a study by Antoine Lutz at the University of Wisconsin, brain waves called gamma waves were found to increase when the subject was in a contemplative mental state. This indicates a higher level of organization and mental integration. Aside from the measurable aspects of the human brain, the personal testimonies of mental Olympians can show that by training the mind they experience a loving-kindness, well-being and wholeness that is foreign to the untrained.
Reference: Dacher, E. S. (2006) Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
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