Universal Loving-Kindness and Integral Assessment Unit 6

#1 The loving-kindness exercise consisted of closing the eyes and re-shifting into a calm and natural state.

     Next,  repetition of the following phrases for 10 minutes:

     May all individuals gain freedom from suffering.

     May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.

     May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.

     May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness and wholeness.

It does not take long for one to realize the potentially powerful effect of these phrases. To internalize these concepts is to disarm oneself from selfishness; self-centeredness, self- serving and self- celebrating and self- righteousness. During this humbling experience, hatred, fear and anger, and hopefully all negativism dissipate. This is all replaced with a positive spirit of loving-kindness. (Dacher, 2006)


#2 The 6 principles of Integral Assessment are as follows;

     (1) To alleviate needless suffering and promote human flourishing.

     (2) Identify the difference between relief of short term and long term suffering.

     (3) Establish the difference between immediate pleasure and long-term flourishing.

    (4) Psycho-spiritual aspects are to be developed.

    (5) Deep Listening

    (6) Observe and address the levels and lines of development relative to the current circumstance.

The “Integral Assessment,” is a personal inventory of four aspects of one’s life to realize which needs adjusting. This idea is based on the concept that, among our different individual abilities, training, up-bringing, and talents, there are those which may be developed and others which will be under-developed. The objective is to select a particular line of development and feed it with loving-kindness until the mind, body and spirit are nourished and grow as one. (Dacher, 2006)

#3. The process of self - evaluation is important because acquaint one with his inner-self. It is this process that reveals the underdeveloped / undernourished area of attention. In my case, Psycho-spirituality is the area which needs further development. This can be achieved by including contemplating exercises, such as the “subtle mind” exercise to achieve a calm mind body and spirit. I firmly believe that this practice will have a positive, and profound, effect on the health, physical and spiritual being.

Reference

Dacher, E.,, (2006) Integral Health, The Path to Human Flourishing, Flourishing in the World, The Integral Assessment.