Customer Reviews

Loving Kindness Meditation and Forgiveness Meditation

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this age of latest-greatest-trade marked branding frenzy, this CD stands out in its simplicity and poignancy. No fancy incantations, no deep intricate theories or complex formulations. McManus takes the listener straight into the practice without fluff or flourish...straight into their heart. In the cleanly recorded instruction with no heavenly/new-age chorus for accompaniment, McManus invites the listener into the only space where change can occur.

From this heart space with crisp and gentle pacing, the listener "moves" through the ancient loving kindness practice with a clear, unfettered directness. Each movement gently and mindfully invites the heart's participation, but also allows permission for what ever distance may be necessary in the moment. No pressing forward or assumed need to demand the gentle heart space move beyond its safety at the moment.

This CD makes a marvelous clinical tool for therapists of many flavors to recommend to their clients who might benefit from the healing effects of spending time in their heart spaces. Especially relevant in our harried society is the Forgiveness meditation...it brings a powerful tool in a gentle manner into the homes of patients that might benefit from the healing powers of forgiveness in their lives. Books, clinical talk and theories fail to go as deeply as this well thought out and supportive practice can over time and repetition.

McManus demonstrates an awareness of the worlds she traverses...depth of mindfulness practice, realities of clinical needs for "everyday" patients and clients, and most importantly, the gift of awareness in the sacred heart space she obviously has spent time in herself, both with herself and as an honored guest of fortunate patients.

In this 2006 CD, Carolyn McManus uses her experience and enchanting voice to create guided meditations on Loving Kindness and on Forgiveness.

These meditations have brought me heartfelt joy. When I am following Carolyn through her Loving Kindness phrases, I discover my heart creaking open to love in ways that I had not known existed. And listening to both meditations has moved me to try to bridge several long-standing estrangements.

I particularly enjoy Carolyn's version of Loving Kindness because she begins with phrases toward a loved one, moves next to the same phrases for ones own self, and then through several steps to all living beings. The beginning generates a strong feeling of loving energy which repetitive phrases carry through the following steps of the meditation. The ending connects us to everyone.

Listening to Carolyn's Mindful Body Scan on her "Mindfulness" CD has helped me to become better able to follow guided meditations such as on this "Loving Kindness" CD. I highly recommend both.

As a physical therapist who works with many pain patients, I have found that McManus's CD provides a very helpful way for my patients to continue their healing work after they have left my office. Carolyn's soothing voice, her comforting and calming words give welcome guidance to those who are dealing with emotional issues that serve as barriors to the healing process. This CD can help anyone trying to relate to and interact with others in this very stressful world. Anne Ingard PT

As a newcomer to meditation, I felt that it was somehow selfish since it seemed to be for my well being and only my well being. Carolyn McManus' Loving Kindness Meditation and Forgiveness Meditation not only offered me a way of including my loved ones in my meditation, it also guided me to find peace in forgiveness. I highly recommend it!

I am a meditation teacher and personal growth coach. I am educated in psychology and also world religions. As such, I think I am in a good position to judge the merits of this CD.

As a spiritual and psychologically oriented individual, I think the value of cultivating loving-kindness, compassion and forgiveness is grossly underestimated in our society. In fact, many of the health benefits of these types of practices are now coming to light. For example, the organization that puts out The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath's Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart's Intelligence and Freeze-Framer ® v2.0 Interactive Learning System with Patented Heart Rhythm Monitor are getting good traction in the medical community.

Loving-Kindness meditaiton has been around long before these times, however. This practice originated with the Buddha and is expanded upon in detail in the Anapanasatti sutras dating back more than 2,000 years. This CD is westernized version of this practice that is effective and true to the spirit of the tradition that is was taken from. In other words, it has 2,000+ years of experiential validation as a method to develop loving-kindess. The forgiveness meditaiton is a bonus and the benfits of learning to forgive are well-researched, e.g. see Forgive for Good.

The timing of different segments, background information and length of these meditations is very well-suited to people without prior experience in meditation. The presentation is also detailed enough to be useful when one is accomplished at this practice as well.

In general, Carolyn McManus puts out good, high quality materials. I particularly like Relax into Restful Sleep. If you like this CD, you may want to try one of her other ones.