Unit 6- Loving Kindness - Integral Assessment
The universal loving-kindness exercise was not as relaxing as I thought it was going to be. Instead it made me feel very small and weak. After a few minutes I did start to open my mind to others but felt this helplessness, like I couldn't help anyone, but felt a need to anyway. The integral assessment was a little different. I felt like I was taking a little deeper look within myself. Perhaps looking with in and trying to see yet not judge takes a little practice. We are our own worst enemy. But, I discovered in my assessment that I sometimes expect too much of others. I push myself therefore I expect others to do the same. This is not entirely fair and quite judgemental on my part. Now I need to learn forgiveness. I think I discovered that I need to focus on being more open minded. I always thought I was open minded but now maybe I am not so open to others as I once thought. Until I learn to let go of being judgemental I will not truly learn to heal. I think this builds like anger and creates an ugliness within that I would like to let go of. I think I would like to practice the universal loving kindness exercise to gain more focus and intentional thought. I think continually practicing any meditaiton practices will help me to learn to become more and more focused. Becoming more focused will help me to accomplish my goal of becoming less judgemental and more of a loving kindness type of person. True healing starts from within.
Mary
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
I am so glad to be here this week. I tried the Subtle Mind exercise this week and again found it relaxing. If anything, I have at least found 15 minutes of relaxation throughtout these weeks of practicing these different exercise. I felt the Subtle Mind exercise was more focused or controlled. Or maybe I am finding I am learning to focus better. Last weeks Loving Kindness exercise was also relaxing but I found I was more focused on following directions in a sense whereas this weeks Subtle Mind exercise felt more about control and focus. I think this particular exercise is more beneficial in the long term aspect. I really enjoyed this weeks exercise and plan to use it offten. I felt much more absorbed and in control.
I have found (specifically this week) that my spiritual wellness has grown tremendously. Our spiritual wellness, mental wellness, and physical wellness are all very connected. Each are an extention of the other. When one is weak the others are as well. And, when one is strong the others follow in strength as well. I may not have believed that had I not started practicing these exercises and learning to focus on the mind, breathing techniques, and spirituality. Believing in my spiritual growth has given strength to my physical and mental growth. This week I needed spiritual, physical, and mental strength and by the grace of GOD (spiritual wellness) I was able be strong in my mental and physical well being. I will without a doubt continue to practice growing in my spiritual, mental, and physical wellness. It is like breathing in new life and new focus ever day.
I have found (specifically this week) that my spiritual wellness has grown tremendously. Our spiritual wellness, mental wellness, and physical wellness are all very connected. Each are an extention of the other. When one is weak the others are as well. And, when one is strong the others follow in strength as well. I may not have believed that had I not started practicing these exercises and learning to focus on the mind, breathing techniques, and spirituality. Believing in my spiritual growth has given strength to my physical and mental growth. This week I needed spiritual, physical, and mental strength and by the grace of GOD (spiritual wellness) I was able be strong in my mental and physical well being. I will without a doubt continue to practice growing in my spiritual, mental, and physical wellness. It is like breathing in new life and new focus ever day.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Loving Kindness Exercise
Loving Kindness
Well I must say I did relax a little and rest. The background sounds were perfect and actually helped me to relax which is difficult for me to do. Unfortunately I did not benefit as much from this exercise as I would like to have but I can see how repeating it daily would be very beneficial. The phrase 'mental workout' fits here. I actually found myself falling asleep throughout the exercise and at one point the narrator startled me awake. This is certainly one that will take practice. However, I do understand now the connection between meditating and training your brain. I can see how you can learn to practice loving kindness and actually feel it within yourself.
I would recommend this to anyone. I think we have all learned to join the rat race of life and we need to learn to slow down again. I think learning to take and make the time to go through these exercises on a daily basis is better mentally and physically then any workout program.
The mental workout is to learn to focus. It is about learning to open your mind and acknowledge your thoughts but at the same time allow those thoughts to pass and focus on particular feelings such as loving kindness. Learning to act or behave in such a way that you can make decisions on a higher level without reacting to them. The proven benefits are that we can learn to function on a higher level of integration and organization. This is a process I need in my life. One I would love to learn to live by. It requires setting a time to practice these exercises everyday just like setting time to go the gym or to the tanning salon or nail salon. It is about beutifying the mind and soul. Simply make the time and practice it daily and whole heartedly.
Well I must say I did relax a little and rest. The background sounds were perfect and actually helped me to relax which is difficult for me to do. Unfortunately I did not benefit as much from this exercise as I would like to have but I can see how repeating it daily would be very beneficial. The phrase 'mental workout' fits here. I actually found myself falling asleep throughout the exercise and at one point the narrator startled me awake. This is certainly one that will take practice. However, I do understand now the connection between meditating and training your brain. I can see how you can learn to practice loving kindness and actually feel it within yourself.
I would recommend this to anyone. I think we have all learned to join the rat race of life and we need to learn to slow down again. I think learning to take and make the time to go through these exercises on a daily basis is better mentally and physically then any workout program.
The mental workout is to learn to focus. It is about learning to open your mind and acknowledge your thoughts but at the same time allow those thoughts to pass and focus on particular feelings such as loving kindness. Learning to act or behave in such a way that you can make decisions on a higher level without reacting to them. The proven benefits are that we can learn to function on a higher level of integration and organization. This is a process I need in my life. One I would love to learn to live by. It requires setting a time to practice these exercises everyday just like setting time to go the gym or to the tanning salon or nail salon. It is about beutifying the mind and soul. Simply make the time and practice it daily and whole heartedly.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Crime of the Century
After a bit of self reflection I would rate my physical well being at a 5. I am currently sick (with a cold) and overweight. I believe this is due to stress from work which is weakening my immune system which is also connected to my train of thought. Ultimately, I would like to start eating better and on a regular basis which I believe would help me in all these areas of being. I would be better focused and would stress less at work, which in turn would help me to be stronger internally which would help me to be more positive, think more positive, and loose weight. I can achieve this by exercising and focusing more on my goals.
My spiritual well being I would rate at an 8. I believe my spirituality is my strongest asset and my strength. I feel good about my self, my life, and my existence because of my faith. I would like to attend church but have found it difficult considering I work Sunday mornings. I do not see this changing until I change careers unfortunately. Working weekends is a must. However, I do find that sharing my faith and surrounding myself with others who not only share their spirituality but also are capable of absorbing my spirituality has helped to grow even more in my faith and belief that life has path and my life has meaning.
My psychological well would be also be an 7. I feel very well rounded as a person. I try to practice kindness, patience, love, and understanding towards others. But, I do have my faults as we all do. I admit I am not sure how I can change this. I know I am open minded but I also know I need to be more open minded or perhaps I simply expect too much from others. I seem to have high expectations (call me old fashioned) of others, which tends to frustrate me at times. Any suggestions in this area would be greatly appreciated. I believe this area in particular has a great deal to do with all other areas of my life that I struggle with.
Finally, the relaxation exercise: I really enjoy these exercises. However, today when I sat through this exercise I felt very tired. I have been sick this week and perhaps that and the medication is taking a toll on me. I found I felt a little frustrated this time instead of feeling relaxed. This in itself frustrates me. The minute I feel I am getting sick my first thought is 'my immune system is down', 'why is my immune system down'? 'Am I working too much, stressing too much, so on'?. I believe that how we feel (emotionally) has a great deal to do with how our body reacts. For example; I quit smoking this past year. I have smoked my entire life, some thirty years, but when I quit I started eating more, that hand to mouth action, which in turn caused me to gain weight; lots of it. But in reality, I think quitting smoking caused me (subconsciously) to think that I couldn't do it (stress) leading me to eat to over come the stress. Hence, creating an imbalance within my life and the outcome is essentially stress and being overweight. Perhaps now that I realize this I can address these issues and overcome/eliminate both the weight and the stress.
My spiritual well being I would rate at an 8. I believe my spirituality is my strongest asset and my strength. I feel good about my self, my life, and my existence because of my faith. I would like to attend church but have found it difficult considering I work Sunday mornings. I do not see this changing until I change careers unfortunately. Working weekends is a must. However, I do find that sharing my faith and surrounding myself with others who not only share their spirituality but also are capable of absorbing my spirituality has helped to grow even more in my faith and belief that life has path and my life has meaning.
My psychological well would be also be an 7. I feel very well rounded as a person. I try to practice kindness, patience, love, and understanding towards others. But, I do have my faults as we all do. I admit I am not sure how I can change this. I know I am open minded but I also know I need to be more open minded or perhaps I simply expect too much from others. I seem to have high expectations (call me old fashioned) of others, which tends to frustrate me at times. Any suggestions in this area would be greatly appreciated. I believe this area in particular has a great deal to do with all other areas of my life that I struggle with.
Finally, the relaxation exercise: I really enjoy these exercises. However, today when I sat through this exercise I felt very tired. I have been sick this week and perhaps that and the medication is taking a toll on me. I found I felt a little frustrated this time instead of feeling relaxed. This in itself frustrates me. The minute I feel I am getting sick my first thought is 'my immune system is down', 'why is my immune system down'? 'Am I working too much, stressing too much, so on'?. I believe that how we feel (emotionally) has a great deal to do with how our body reacts. For example; I quit smoking this past year. I have smoked my entire life, some thirty years, but when I quit I started eating more, that hand to mouth action, which in turn caused me to gain weight; lots of it. But in reality, I think quitting smoking caused me (subconsciously) to think that I couldn't do it (stress) leading me to eat to over come the stress. Hence, creating an imbalance within my life and the outcome is essentially stress and being overweight. Perhaps now that I realize this I can address these issues and overcome/eliminate both the weight and the stress.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Relaxation exercise
Hello everyone,
I am having a hard time figuring out this blog thing, lol, so forgive me if it seems a little out in left field. I am not much of a social networking type.
I did love the relaxation exercise though. It took me a few minutes to relax and silence the voices in my head. I did realize some of that comes from all the multitasking I do all day. I will have to stop multitasking so much just so that I can calm down a bit. However, I did feel relaxed and rejuvenated after the relaxation exercise was finished. That was a really good thing because I was completely stressed out and frustrated after trying to set up this blog site.
Have a great day,
Mary
I am having a hard time figuring out this blog thing, lol, so forgive me if it seems a little out in left field. I am not much of a social networking type.
I did love the relaxation exercise though. It took me a few minutes to relax and silence the voices in my head. I did realize some of that comes from all the multitasking I do all day. I will have to stop multitasking so much just so that I can calm down a bit. However, I did feel relaxed and rejuvenated after the relaxation exercise was finished. That was a really good thing because I was completely stressed out and frustrated after trying to set up this blog site.
Have a great day,
Mary
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