Unit 8 blog

The two practices that I had the most success with were the rainbow meditation with the colors in the different areas of the body. I was really relaxed the first time I did it and I had just as much success the second time around too. I could really visualize the colors coming from the areas of my body. That exercise was super relaxing and I learned about the colors at the same time.

The second practice I had the most success was the Subtle mind exercise. With that exercise I was really able to concentrate on the rise and fall of my chest. I think the deep breathing makes me feel more alive and whole. When I do deep breathing, I visualize all the bad and negative thoughts and feelings going out of my body while the positive and good things come back into my body.

It's simply amazing how much better you can feel if you just take a little time for yourself every now and then. I should include these couple of exercises a few times a week so that I can release the bad and take in the good. I can also get rid of some stress at the same time.

Meeting Asciepius

I thought this week's exercise wasn't too bad. I had a little bit of trouble with wander thoughts but I was always able to let them go and get back to focusing on what I needed to. I pictured my grandpa before he got sick when I was a little girl. I started to go down memory lane for a little bit before the voice snapped me out of it. It was nice to think about him again. I saw him sitting in his chair and then he was gone and it was just the chair. It was really weird like he just vanished.

When I hear the saying "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” I think more of being a hypocrite because if you are going to tell me to do something but yet not do it yourself. I can't have a lot of respect and take that person seriously if they couldn't do what they are asking me to do. A lot of that happened when I was in the military and unfortunately it still happens. I guess that is one of those things that will continue to happen.

Loving Kindness Exercise & the Integral Assessment

I have to say that I couldn't remember every single line word for word but I feel better as I person for taking the time to think about helping someone else besides myself. That's a good feeling. The personal reward that you get from helping someone in need of something is awesome. Thinking about helping people is something that I think I need to work on more. Then actually helping people is the next step.

I found out that the area that I think I need to work on more is worldly flourishing. I don't think that I volunteer or help out with community activities or fundraisers much at all. So I think I'm going to talk to our fundraising committee at work and volunteer my time for the next fundraiser we have. I hate to admit it but sometimes I go out of my way to not volunteer to help with something. Everyone needs help at some point or another so why not just help out once in a while?

Subtle mind exercise

This exercise was way easier to me than the loving kindness exercise. I didn't feel that I had near as many distractions this time, especially since last time all I could think about was my brother. This time I was able to concentrate on what the lady was saying for me to do and I actually did it. I was able to concentrate on the rise and fall of my chest and when a thought would appear, I was able to overcome and not start thinking about that thought. I think this exercise shows just how influential our minds can be. It doesn't take much for me to be distracted but this time I was able to let it go and get back to focusing on the rise and fall of my chest.

I think the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness is just as vital as any other connection. Without having a meaningful spiritual wellness and doing things that make your mind, body, and spirit feel connected, then you can really feel like a mindless blob just occupying space. Think about how good you feel when your done something that was a challenge to you and the relief and happiness that you get when you accomplish it. It's an amazing feeling. Compare that to just lying around and not being productive at all. You kind of feel like crap. Being able to accomplish and overcome challenges makes me feel like I'm alive. Those are the times where I can really feel that my mind, body and spirit are all working together.