If I must choose between all of the practices we have learned then the subtle mind and visualization are the two most beneficial for me. Both of these practices lead me to positive thoughts and ,therefore, improved mental fitness. Now, this is not to say that I did not find benefits in the other practices because I have. For instance, my experience with the loving kindness practice led me to places I have not been. However, the subtle mind exercise I use quite often to develop a calm mind. I have found that breath focus is beneficial anytime and for many reasons such as to calm emotions, lower blood pressure, focus energy, and even to move better. Practicing the subtle mind allows one to access the subtle mind quickly and readily whenever one needs to focus their energy. I find I often need to refocus and this is a great way to do it.
I will reiterate. I believe that ones spiritual, mental, and physical wellness are one, therefore, all of these practices nurture the whole being. Visualization is also a technique I use regularly to gain my focus, calm my mind, and to gather and direct my energy. Visualization can also be done anytime anywhere. I also use visualization to help me sleep better and to summons up positive energy. I chose these two practices as most beneficial to me because I can have access to these tools without necessarily having to find a quiet place to sit and meditate. I feel the goal of all of these practices is to develop the inner self in order to train the mind and focus our energy. Sounds like a good plan to me!
just me
12/29/2011
12/18/2011
A Personal Perspective
The universal loving kindness exercise is quite exciting. This type of meditative practice helps us develop a loving kindness which spreads to all not just those we love. This helps us practice kindness, love, and understanding to all people. Not to mention, this practice helps us to become non-judgemental and to look for a connection with others. Universal loving kindness should become a way of life in order to develop integral health. Besides, developing a universal loving kindness will also help those on the receiving end develop loving kindness as well. This is a win win situation if you ask me!
My personal assessment is an activity I do regularly. This allows me to continually change and adapt my lifestyle to meet current needs. My goals are to create a balance to nurture all aspects of my health and wellness including mind/body/spirit development. During this practice assessment I did not really discover anything new about myself because I often reassess my world. However, right now I am working on self-regulation and tweaking my nutrition (these go hand and hand....man who invented chocolate anyway?). I am also working on the aspects of my inner being using the tools I have learned in this class. Through this practice I will hopefully develop more skills to add to my arsenal for continued health and wellness and to nurture my path to integral health. I cannot give you specifics yet because I am still discovering what will work for me. For now I am doing he practices we have leaned. I am also practicing behavior modification techniques for the self-regulation part.
My personal assessment is an activity I do regularly. This allows me to continually change and adapt my lifestyle to meet current needs. My goals are to create a balance to nurture all aspects of my health and wellness including mind/body/spirit development. During this practice assessment I did not really discover anything new about myself because I often reassess my world. However, right now I am working on self-regulation and tweaking my nutrition (these go hand and hand....man who invented chocolate anyway?). I am also working on the aspects of my inner being using the tools I have learned in this class. Through this practice I will hopefully develop more skills to add to my arsenal for continued health and wellness and to nurture my path to integral health. I cannot give you specifics yet because I am still discovering what will work for me. For now I am doing he practices we have leaned. I am also practicing behavior modification techniques for the self-regulation part.
12/17/2011
12/08/2011
The Subtle Mind
Breathe in Breathe out breathe in breathe out......breathe in breathe out....
I often use my breath as a source of focus. This works for meditation, physical exercise, and even simply calming my emotions. Like the loving kindness exercise the subtle mind exercise had a focus. However, in loving kindness the focus is outward towards others and pushing my energy towards a goal. The subtle mind took the focus inside to me, my mind, and the energy flow of my thoughts and feelings. Interestingly, no images. This is strange for me. My mind typically loves images. Anyway, I was pleased with this exercise. The color spectrum was purple, yellow, and briefly some blue. When the speaker wanted me to let go of my mind and thoughts the purples turned to pink and gray powder puffs blowing outward...really no joke! It was rather impressive. Interestingly, I could then understand the point. My mind was clear, quiet, and dark...Calm...Waiting...yes waiting.
I truly, 100%, believe (for as long as I can remember) that ones spiritual, mental, and physical wellness are like one. I cannot find a way to separate the concepts and I am not really sure I want to. If one aspect is unwell it will have a ripple affect on the other two AND the other two will try to compensate for the upset. This is fine, however, only for a brief time. Long term this will wreak havoc on health and wellness. To me it is important to nurture all three, mind/body/spirit. Sometimes together and sometimes individually in order to balance the whole me! In my world balance is crucial!
I often use my breath as a source of focus. This works for meditation, physical exercise, and even simply calming my emotions. Like the loving kindness exercise the subtle mind exercise had a focus. However, in loving kindness the focus is outward towards others and pushing my energy towards a goal. The subtle mind took the focus inside to me, my mind, and the energy flow of my thoughts and feelings. Interestingly, no images. This is strange for me. My mind typically loves images. Anyway, I was pleased with this exercise. The color spectrum was purple, yellow, and briefly some blue. When the speaker wanted me to let go of my mind and thoughts the purples turned to pink and gray powder puffs blowing outward...really no joke! It was rather impressive. Interestingly, I could then understand the point. My mind was clear, quiet, and dark...Calm...Waiting...yes waiting.
I truly, 100%, believe (for as long as I can remember) that ones spiritual, mental, and physical wellness are like one. I cannot find a way to separate the concepts and I am not really sure I want to. If one aspect is unwell it will have a ripple affect on the other two AND the other two will try to compensate for the upset. This is fine, however, only for a brief time. Long term this will wreak havoc on health and wellness. To me it is important to nurture all three, mind/body/spirit. Sometimes together and sometimes individually in order to balance the whole me! In my world balance is crucial!
12/02/2011
Loving Kindness
Hello everyone! I found the loving kindness exercise enlightening. I totally got into the nature sounds, however, when they added the music to the waves in the backround I found the music distracting and had to work hard to ignore it. Before that however, I found the practice quite Awesome! Interestingly, as I inhaled suffering I saw a wave of black behind my eye lids....When I exhaled health, happines, and well-being I saw a deep beautiful ~purple~ it was very intense and it felt really, really good! When I saw the ~purple~ I really felt like it was working. When the instructions started at times I would be a little startled like someone was lightly waking me from sleep. I have not had great luck with the relaxation practices so far so this expereince was a bit of a surprise. I think it was the nature sounds that pulled me in because this is what I use to meditate normally. Funny thing, kitty, came over during this practice and fell asleep on my feet! Yes I woul recommed this to others.
A mental workout is what I just did. Mental workouts can calm the mind and expand your psychological and spiritual health, of course, this also leads to physical health as well. The research shows this to be true. Taking time each day to expand your mental workout is a great way to foster a good health lifestyle!
I am so very excited about the color visions!
A mental workout is what I just did. Mental workouts can calm the mind and expand your psychological and spiritual health, of course, this also leads to physical health as well. The research shows this to be true. Taking time each day to expand your mental workout is a great way to foster a good health lifestyle!
I am so very excited about the color visions!
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