Of the exercises we have taken part in throughout the course I have gotten the most out of the Subtle Mind and Loving-Kindness practices. I have adopted those particular exercises into my week and look forward to spending time on them.
The Subtle mind is the one that got me started off the best by introducing the relaxation of breathing. The exercise allowed me to teach myself how to relax and focus on one thing - breathing. Once I began to get more comfortable with the Subtle mind I went back to the Loving Kindness exercise and began incorporating that into my week.
What I have found over the past few weeks is that I look forward to taking the time to relax and focus. I have also noticed a change in my outlook on the day when I get up in the morning and have been able to overcome some situations that would normally have gotten me overwhelmed or stressed out.
It's been an amazing transformation for me. I've been exposed to many health and wellness topics, exercises, and techniques for stress reduction, positive thinking, etc. I have also always thought that these exercises would be beneficial but never took the time to see if I could make them work. It's been a wonderful way for me to relax and find time for myself; making me a much better person inside and out! Trust me...if they have worked for me, there are many people out there that can benefit!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Meeting Asciepius
Must admit, I wasn't very into this exercise. I couldn't get into the light beam visual very well. I do think that the previous exercises have been helpful to me to get my feet wet into meditation and contemplative practice of relaxing my mind and body - both of which have been very beneficial recently while coming to the end of my education and the business of fall. Overall, I think I'll skip the light-beam exercise and keep on with the loving kindness and subtle mind tracks on the CD.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself"....ABSOLUTELY!! It is one thing to offer advice or lead someone to information they are seeking, but I don't feel that someone can acutally lead another along a path that they have never been on themselves. People will either see right through what you are saying or will feel a disconnect with you. Some answers to questions can only come from experience - not a text book or data.
I have slowly been developing my psychological and spiritual growth as we have moved through class. I have had several other classes that have included exercises or techniques but this class is the first that I have adapted - and stuck with - the activities. Maybe it's the timing of the class, maybe it's the right time in my life - either way - I have enjoyed taking time to relax my mind and body and have seen the benefits beginning to work. It's refreshing.
"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself"....ABSOLUTELY!! It is one thing to offer advice or lead someone to information they are seeking, but I don't feel that someone can acutally lead another along a path that they have never been on themselves. People will either see right through what you are saying or will feel a disconnect with you. Some answers to questions can only come from experience - not a text book or data.
I have slowly been developing my psychological and spiritual growth as we have moved through class. I have had several other classes that have included exercises or techniques but this class is the first that I have adapted - and stuck with - the activities. Maybe it's the timing of the class, maybe it's the right time in my life - either way - I have enjoyed taking time to relax my mind and body and have seen the benefits beginning to work. It's refreshing.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Universal Loving Kindness - Integral Assessment
The universal loving-kindness assessment was simple to complete. It is basically like a shortened version of the previous loving-kindness exercise we have participated in. I think this version of loving-kindness is something that is convenient for people to work into their daily lives. I also feel that this would be a great way to transition into the fuller version of the loving kindness exercise we learned previously. It would allow you to start training your mind for relaxation and positive thoughts in a smaller way then working up to the longer, more focused exercise.
The Integral Assessment was very eye-opening. I immediately identified the interpersonal aspect of my life as being the source of difficulty and suffering. I have been attempting some relaxation techniques over the last few weeks that have been introduced in this course. I feel this is the area of my life that is most ready for change and have taken small steps towards strengthening this area.
I have a self-defeating mind and would truly like to turn that around. I am wonderful at cheering others on and bringing out their best but lack the same qualities when it comes to myself. I've noticed that this is a great time of year to step back and keep things in perspective. While I love fall it is also a difficult time of year for me. My life is hectic right now and I am taking time to be much more aware of stressors and how to manage them. I want to enjoy the changes around me during the fall that I love so much - cool mornings, changing leaves, football, pumpkins, and caramel apples...
So how can I encourage a positive approach to fall? I am staying organized and on top of things; not allowing myself to fall behind and feel overwhelmed. I am taking time to enjoy nature's changes around me and making time to allow my mind to relax - through mindful practice - rather than escaping in a nap. It is my goal through making these changes that I start to see the physical benefits of better sleep, increased energy, and begin a path to regular exercise.
The Integral Assessment was very eye-opening. I immediately identified the interpersonal aspect of my life as being the source of difficulty and suffering. I have been attempting some relaxation techniques over the last few weeks that have been introduced in this course. I feel this is the area of my life that is most ready for change and have taken small steps towards strengthening this area.
I have a self-defeating mind and would truly like to turn that around. I am wonderful at cheering others on and bringing out their best but lack the same qualities when it comes to myself. I've noticed that this is a great time of year to step back and keep things in perspective. While I love fall it is also a difficult time of year for me. My life is hectic right now and I am taking time to be much more aware of stressors and how to manage them. I want to enjoy the changes around me during the fall that I love so much - cool mornings, changing leaves, football, pumpkins, and caramel apples...
So how can I encourage a positive approach to fall? I am staying organized and on top of things; not allowing myself to fall behind and feel overwhelmed. I am taking time to enjoy nature's changes around me and making time to allow my mind to relax - through mindful practice - rather than escaping in a nap. It is my goal through making these changes that I start to see the physical benefits of better sleep, increased energy, and begin a path to regular exercise.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Mental Fitness: Subtle Mind
Hello Followers!
While I enjoyed both the loving kindness and the subtle mind exercise, I would have to say that the sublte mind exercise actually worked a little better for me. I like the focus being on just the breathing. I found that keeping the focus on the breathing was much easier to accomplish than changing the focus throughout the exercise - as we did in the loving kindness exercise. Personally, I think that the subtle mind exercise is something that would make for a great starter exercise in order to get you to focus on one thing. Once that has been accomplished I think it would be easier to allow your mind to switch from one area of focus to the next without getting distracted. I like the focal points of the loving kindness exercise (yourself and others) but I think that reaching the goal of being focused and clearing your mind works best (subtle mind) to begin.
Spirituality is different things to different people. It can be religion, personal values, or inner characteristics or beliefs. I think that the reading for this week in "Consciousness and Healing" does a great job of connecting spiritual wellness with mental and physical wellness. The reading discusses love, forgiveness, gratefulness, and a desire for greater meaning and fulfillment. For myself, these characteristics foster a sense of spirituality that I find developed through my Christian beliefs and practices. Having a strong spiritual wellness gives me a positive mental state; thus, is encouraging to physical wellness. The connection of all three (spiritual, mental, and physical) areas of wellness are reliant upon each other. Physical wellness is not necessarily about what the scale says, it is about treating your body with respect nutritionally and physically. The motivation to accomplish physical wellness can be achieved through finding wellness in the spiritual and mental aspects of your life.
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and taking the time to do something good for yourself!
While I enjoyed both the loving kindness and the subtle mind exercise, I would have to say that the sublte mind exercise actually worked a little better for me. I like the focus being on just the breathing. I found that keeping the focus on the breathing was much easier to accomplish than changing the focus throughout the exercise - as we did in the loving kindness exercise. Personally, I think that the subtle mind exercise is something that would make for a great starter exercise in order to get you to focus on one thing. Once that has been accomplished I think it would be easier to allow your mind to switch from one area of focus to the next without getting distracted. I like the focal points of the loving kindness exercise (yourself and others) but I think that reaching the goal of being focused and clearing your mind works best (subtle mind) to begin.
Spirituality is different things to different people. It can be religion, personal values, or inner characteristics or beliefs. I think that the reading for this week in "Consciousness and Healing" does a great job of connecting spiritual wellness with mental and physical wellness. The reading discusses love, forgiveness, gratefulness, and a desire for greater meaning and fulfillment. For myself, these characteristics foster a sense of spirituality that I find developed through my Christian beliefs and practices. Having a strong spiritual wellness gives me a positive mental state; thus, is encouraging to physical wellness. The connection of all three (spiritual, mental, and physical) areas of wellness are reliant upon each other. Physical wellness is not necessarily about what the scale says, it is about treating your body with respect nutritionally and physically. The motivation to accomplish physical wellness can be achieved through finding wellness in the spiritual and mental aspects of your life.
Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and taking the time to do something good for yourself!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Loving Kindness
So far, I have enjoyed the Loving Kindness exercise. Specifically, I like the written directions for Practice in the text, but the CD was good to keep you focused on moving from one focus to another. Admittedly, I am much better at helping others rather than myself so I have struggled a bit with turning thoughts toward myself and "loving" myself. The enemies portion of the exercise is very good...it makes you focus on those negative feelings you may have towards someone - or those feelings that others may have towards you - and control your emotions. I have only listened to the CD once this week, but have tomorrow scheduled for another go-round. I will keep you posted!
A Mental Workout is just that...deliberately working your mind! It is the process of making a commitment to focus on your mind and expand your consciousness on a regular basis. Psychological health is sustained by contemplative practice and fosters a positive-focus state of mind to become more aware of your feelings and actions or reactions. This helps you live intentionally and should be incorporated into your routine to encourage reaching the goals of integral health and human flourishing.
A Mental Workout is just that...deliberately working your mind! It is the process of making a commitment to focus on your mind and expand your consciousness on a regular basis. Psychological health is sustained by contemplative practice and fosters a positive-focus state of mind to become more aware of your feelings and actions or reactions. This helps you live intentionally and should be incorporated into your routine to encourage reaching the goals of integral health and human flourishing.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Unit 3
This is one of those activities that I don’t like to complete – rating myself in areas of health and wellness. Sad to say, since I am in health care, but here goes…
In all honesty, I would give myself a 1 in all areas of physical, spiritual, and psychological well-being. I do not exercise, suffer from episodes of severe depression, and battle personal struggles with self-esteem and self-confidence. Overall, my life is generally in a roller-coaster state going from being on top of things and staying on track to being almost paralyzed with overwhelming feelings of stress and fatigue.
A physical goal of mine would be to start exercising on a regular basis. I would like to get to the point that I take the time to walk for 30-45 minutes each day. Spiritually, my goal is to attend church on a more regular basis and stop letting poor excuses get in the way of getting out the door and to the service. I want to take more time to connect spiritually with God and live according to his will rather than running the other way. It is difficult to set a goal for my psychological well-being. Rather than wishing away concerns I should set the goal to be more positive and confident in myself.
Moving towards my goals is always the hard part. Throughout several classes in this degree plan I have had to rate myself and set goals. I have never reached any of those goals and getting started seems to be the problem. One thing I have learned is that my thought patterns are the culprit. For example, I have a difficult time going for a walk on a particular day because I feel like one walk is not going to “do any good”. So I stop myself there. Looking for instant gratification, I guess.
The Crime of the Century exercise: This guy has got relaxation figured out…again, had a hard time staying awake during the whole thing. I think I may start playing this at night when I’m going to bed. The sound of his voice, alone, does the trick! The use of colors in this exercise was interesting and I liked the positive thoughts he had us repeat. I haven’t gotten to the feeling refreshed after the exercise part yet – still feel tired afterwards – but maybe that comes with time.
In all honesty, I would give myself a 1 in all areas of physical, spiritual, and psychological well-being. I do not exercise, suffer from episodes of severe depression, and battle personal struggles with self-esteem and self-confidence. Overall, my life is generally in a roller-coaster state going from being on top of things and staying on track to being almost paralyzed with overwhelming feelings of stress and fatigue.
A physical goal of mine would be to start exercising on a regular basis. I would like to get to the point that I take the time to walk for 30-45 minutes each day. Spiritually, my goal is to attend church on a more regular basis and stop letting poor excuses get in the way of getting out the door and to the service. I want to take more time to connect spiritually with God and live according to his will rather than running the other way. It is difficult to set a goal for my psychological well-being. Rather than wishing away concerns I should set the goal to be more positive and confident in myself.
Moving towards my goals is always the hard part. Throughout several classes in this degree plan I have had to rate myself and set goals. I have never reached any of those goals and getting started seems to be the problem. One thing I have learned is that my thought patterns are the culprit. For example, I have a difficult time going for a walk on a particular day because I feel like one walk is not going to “do any good”. So I stop myself there. Looking for instant gratification, I guess.
The Crime of the Century exercise: This guy has got relaxation figured out…again, had a hard time staying awake during the whole thing. I think I may start playing this at night when I’m going to bed. The sound of his voice, alone, does the trick! The use of colors in this exercise was interesting and I liked the positive thoughts he had us repeat. I haven’t gotten to the feeling refreshed after the exercise part yet – still feel tired afterwards – but maybe that comes with time.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Journey On - Reflective Statement
I just finished listening to the "Journey On" relaxation exercise and hope I can stay awake long enough to finish this reflection! :) I found the recording to be extremely relaxing from the start. The soft, subtle music and the narrator's voice were very subduing. As I listened to the activity I could feel my body relaxing but had a difficult time letting my mind relax. It kept wondering to different things I needed to do or remember. This tells me one very important thing - that relaxation exercises take some getting used to. I found it difficult to just focus on what was being said during the exercise. I, unfortunately, am not a very good "relaxer" to begin with and suffer from insomnia on a regular basis. That being said, I've never trained myself to be able to let my mind relax. I can see how making time for such exercises are very beneficial to the mind and body by allowing total relaxation - but like physical exercise, it is something you have to work your way into.
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