My Favorite :Subtle Mind

As this week draws to a close, I am sad because my Grandmother has passed away. Throughout this time of sadness and grief the things that I have learned throughout this course has provided comfort. Though I have tried many of the exercises that we have been assigned throughout this course countless times, the one that I love the most is subtle mind. I use this exercise countless times throughout the day. When I control my breathing, my thoughts are more clear and controlled. The other exercise that I enjoy is the love-kindness exercise, though not as enjoyable as subtle mind, love-kindness helps me relax my mind and body. Like most things in life, practice makes perfect or at least it makes it easier. To implement these exercises, I just take a couple of minutes out of the day and do the exercises. Some days are harder than other days because of the other commitments that I have, but I make it a priority to do these exercises and they have been extremely helpful.

Meeting Aesclepius

I found this week exercise difficult. I had a difficult time finding someone to focus on. I tried “making someone up” but that was even more difficult. At the end of the week, I finally was able to stabilize an image of an individual in my mind. Of all the exercises we have done, I like this one the least. I could not fully focus and feel that I truly missed the full effect of the exercise.

I have been making more of an effort to practice meditation. In addition to the love-kindness exercise, I have downloaded a couple of podcasts on my I-phone. One of the podcast is title Mediation Station, by Stin.  I listen to the episode titled ZZZZZZ… to help me fall asleep and I listen to Morning Kicker and Body Change Meditation in the morning. These podcasts have drastically improved my wellbeing. I also listen to a podcast titled Mediation Oasis. I listen to the episode titled Deep Rest Guided Meditation when I cannot still my mind, then I do the exercise love-kindness from the class.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself.” This saying focuses on the need to experience something in order to get the full understanding. When we experience something we are better able to weigh the pro's and con’s and we become sympathetic to others who maybe struggling through the thing and can had better give advice. I find it difficult to take advice from someone who has no idea what it is like to be in the situation. I do believe I have an obligation to continue to develop my health psychologically, physically, and spiritually. For one, I must show them that I see the importance of psychologically, physically, and spiritual health. I cannot expect them to complete the exercises that I give and advise them on the importance of reaching complete wholeness, if my life is not an example of that. To continue toward my goal of complete wholeness, prayer, exercise, eating healthy and volunteering my time are great exercises.

Love-Kindness- The Reoccurring Theme

Love-Kindness- the reoccurring theme.  This week, the love- kindness exercise required me to focus and repeat a phrase for 10 minutes (Dacher, 2006).”

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.

The exercise was designed to “be quite powerful in expanding my mind and heart (Dacher, 2006).” However, I did not quite get there. I tried this exercise repeatedly. In the end, I found it to be okay, not as great as the others. I think I prefer me exercise with a little mp3 assistance.

After some deep self -reflecting, I determined that I need to focus on my mental health. Lately, I have been a wreck from what I perceive as stress. To work on this issue, I decided to do something that I already love to help me. I love to read. Therefore, I have decided that I will start on a book called “Battlefield of The Mind” by Joyce Meyer (Meyer, 2002). My friend brought me the book today. I have faith that it will make a difference.

 

Reference

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publication, INC.

Meyer, J. (2002). Battlefield of the Mind:Winning the Battle in Your Mind. Nashville: FaithWords.

 

 

Subtle Mind

This week I substituted my Love and Kindness exercise for the Subtle Mind Exercise. I found that I like the subtle mind exercise a lot better. As a singer (armature singer), I practice my breathing all the time. Therefore, I understand the importance of control your breathing. I also use the breathing exercises when I am nervous. Compared to Love and Kindness, Subtle mind is much easier exercise for me.

Taking care of one’s inner self is very important. To me prayer (spiritual) combined with faith/ belief (mental) and exercise (wellness) is the way I try to maintain the balance in my life. One without the other is okay, but when you are able to apply them to one situation. You feel so empowers and whole. There is peace.