After reviewing and implementing all of our practices that we have learned through the past weeks I really want to utilize all of them going forward but I think for me the ones that I will benefit exponentially will be (and have been thus far) are both the meditation and loving-kindness.
Meditation utilizes breathing and by all accounts this is very much a natural thing with most of us, I imagine but there are times when one gets harried and stressed it becomes somewhat unnatural so for me to be able to slow down concentrate on breathing it will help me instill more harmony and balance therefore with time it will become more second nature. This is effective because it can be done just about anyplace but of course I would not recommend a full meditative state while driving but using the breathing techniques when driving in horrific traffic is a great way to de-stress and focus, clear the mind of the problem at hand and this way one can arrive at their destination in a more focused and calm manner. I know this will work for me every single day!
The other practice is loving-kindness which is something that can be used daily forever! By being able to open ones heart and exude compassion can not only alter the way one lives but it can also change how others live. By this I mean if I act in a more caring, compassionate manner to others I can imagine they may possibly find it infectious and could start to implement this practice into their own life. I have been trying, not 100% successful at it yet, to start each day by visualizing the day going great, smooth and relatively few bumps, I do some meditative breathing and I wind it up with a small prayer for everyone and then one for those that I have lost.
Incorporating all of these practices at first may seem unnatural or forced but I truly believe the more they are practiced they become part of my being and with that I know that I am on a path to great wellness and a life rich in peace, love, harmony and balance.
Thank you all ~ Linda
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Meeting Asclepius
This week was chaotic and frenetic at best so I tackled this particular exercise a few times. I was able to acquire and image as well as maintain some focus as my healer was my grandmother. Although she passed away many years ago she is always with me and has been a pillar in my life both as she lived and died. I think my focus was so powerful because she was a wonderful, kind and amazingly compassionate person one to aspire to and I want to continue this exercise so I can attain a truly deeper focus with her.
Mindfulness and meditation play an enormous role in one's overall wellness, as we have evidenced it connects us and weaves our minds, bodies and spirits into one cloth. In addition each of these practices of meditation is helping me become more aware and in tune to developing and achieving inner peace and on the path to human flourishing. With each practice and continual practice I can feel the calm permeate each and every cell and I look forward to the time when they are natural in that I do not have to "remember" to meditate it becomes a greater part of my being.
The quote is simply put, self explanatory in that one cannot do something in direct conflict of one's teachings and expect credibility or a modicum of respect. I have much work to accomplish before I can truly lead another in the direction of flourishing but I feel I am able to achieve this well being with practice and honest, compassionate dedication. I really like the following quote so I wanted to share it with all...
"Great souls are they who see that spiritual is stronger than material force, that thoughts rule the world." ~ Emerson
Mindfulness and meditation play an enormous role in one's overall wellness, as we have evidenced it connects us and weaves our minds, bodies and spirits into one cloth. In addition each of these practices of meditation is helping me become more aware and in tune to developing and achieving inner peace and on the path to human flourishing. With each practice and continual practice I can feel the calm permeate each and every cell and I look forward to the time when they are natural in that I do not have to "remember" to meditate it becomes a greater part of my being.
The quote is simply put, self explanatory in that one cannot do something in direct conflict of one's teachings and expect credibility or a modicum of respect. I have much work to accomplish before I can truly lead another in the direction of flourishing but I feel I am able to achieve this well being with practice and honest, compassionate dedication. I really like the following quote so I wanted to share it with all...
"Great souls are they who see that spiritual is stronger than material force, that thoughts rule the world." ~ Emerson
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Unit 6 - Loving Kindness and Integral Assessment
This exercise was a mini practice, as Dacher claimed, in expanding our hearts and minds as well as serving as antidote to hatred and anger. It also was a practice in turning our own personal gratification into thinking of others and incorporating the practice of loving kindness towards others as well.
I liked this exercise and I felt calm and could begin to actually feel more positive feelings flow towards others. I faltered a few times but was able to re-focus and realized it was not the quantity of people reached it was the quality I was projecting.
The Integral Assessment was interesting as I thought for a while on what aspect of my life is a source of difficulty and suffering and what needs work. As I always profess I am a constant work in progress and I believe both my psycho spiritual and biological flourishing need some work with emphasis on the psycho spiritual. I practice meditation but it is not consistent and I feel by working on this area it will improve vastly. By practicing more fervently I can improve my personal growth and believe my true potential and find my way truly on the way to becoming that person I am meant to be.
I intend to set time aside each day and practice the loving-kindness exercise as well and more meditation and focus on improving my time management skills. I actually eat rather healthy, I am not a vegetarian but I very, very rarely eat any meat but do eat lots of fish and occasionally some chicken. I do Yoga but I must say I have "fallen off the wagon" of consistency so I am going to make a concerted effort to dust myself off and get back up and into the Yoga practice on a regular basis. I think the occasional long, thought provoking walk is also good for the soul so I need to incorporate at least one or two a week.
Now this is my new outlook and road to transformation on the road to true harmony and balance for a positively healthful lifestyle and longevity.
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
I liked this exercise and I felt calm and could begin to actually feel more positive feelings flow towards others. I faltered a few times but was able to re-focus and realized it was not the quantity of people reached it was the quality I was projecting.
The Integral Assessment was interesting as I thought for a while on what aspect of my life is a source of difficulty and suffering and what needs work. As I always profess I am a constant work in progress and I believe both my psycho spiritual and biological flourishing need some work with emphasis on the psycho spiritual. I practice meditation but it is not consistent and I feel by working on this area it will improve vastly. By practicing more fervently I can improve my personal growth and believe my true potential and find my way truly on the way to becoming that person I am meant to be.
I intend to set time aside each day and practice the loving-kindness exercise as well and more meditation and focus on improving my time management skills. I actually eat rather healthy, I am not a vegetarian but I very, very rarely eat any meat but do eat lots of fish and occasionally some chicken. I do Yoga but I must say I have "fallen off the wagon" of consistency so I am going to make a concerted effort to dust myself off and get back up and into the Yoga practice on a regular basis. I think the occasional long, thought provoking walk is also good for the soul so I need to incorporate at least one or two a week.
Now this is my new outlook and road to transformation on the road to true harmony and balance for a positively healthful lifestyle and longevity.
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Subtle Mind Exercise
I first tried the Subtle Mind exercise prior to the beginning of class and I used some techniques that I am learning through meditation in order to 'still my mind' and I felt it was more, no pun intended' subtle than our last exercise. I used my breathing as focus and did so more diligently I could feel my mind clearing, sounds strange and I hope I am describing it well but it was surreal. I think this exercise requires much focus and with time is parallel to meditation a great way to quiet the mind and find mental clarity.
I liked both exercises but I think I preferred this one slightly more over the Loving-Kindness exercise. The vital part of integral health and maintaining these exercises is to clear a path for that harmony and balance and instill wellness into our lifestyles thus strengthening our mind-body and spirit.
Thanks ~ Linda
I liked both exercises but I think I preferred this one slightly more over the Loving-Kindness exercise. The vital part of integral health and maintaining these exercises is to clear a path for that harmony and balance and instill wellness into our lifestyles thus strengthening our mind-body and spirit.
Thanks ~ Linda
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Mental Workout
The mental workout concept is the same concept as working out and training ones body but it is for training one's mind as well as mental clarity and acuity. Practicing on expanding ones mind is something that will help one build on ones psycho spiritual health as well as achieving optimum a mind-body connection.
Mental workouts have proven that it is possible to train ones mind to 'workout' the negative emotions such as anger and fear diminishing these as to enhance and replace them with more positive, fruitful emotions such as patience and acceptance as well as optimal loving-kindness.
Becoming aware and conscious of mental workouts each day and including them in my life will enhance my well-being into a more peaceful lifestyle and once again gradually assist me with attaining harmony and balance towards my path to wholeness and optimal wellness.
Mental workouts have proven that it is possible to train ones mind to 'workout' the negative emotions such as anger and fear diminishing these as to enhance and replace them with more positive, fruitful emotions such as patience and acceptance as well as optimal loving-kindness.
Becoming aware and conscious of mental workouts each day and including them in my life will enhance my well-being into a more peaceful lifestyle and once again gradually assist me with attaining harmony and balance towards my path to wholeness and optimal wellness.
Loving Kindness Exercise
I must admit my first attempt was somewhat successful but it needed much improvement, which I am still working on and will continue in order to be able to fully accept loving kindness. I try every day to accept others and bring loving-kindness honestly and openly into my daily and I would consider myself the antithesis of a self-centered person. I put a great deal of focus into my breathing and consciously bringing love in and exhaling bad visions or relationships out while listening to the exercise. I having been practicing and will continue until the exercise is without a conscious effort and then I will be further along the path to harmony, balance and integral health.
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