Hi All
This week's meditative exercise, "Meeting Aesclepius", was quite eye opening for me. In the exercise, we were told to envision someone in our life that we thought of as being a wise person. For me, there was only one person that came to mind, my uncle, who passed away about seven years ago. He was someone I truly admired...not only because of his wisdom, but also his selfless heart and his love for all individuals. He lived his life with only one purpose, to make sure the lives of others better. Whether it was his children, his extended family, his friends and even strangers...if he was able to make a difference, he did it with all his heart. So, this week's exercise really stirred something within me...I felt my uncle's presence, I felt his love and felt the connection with him. I actually cried during this exercise (first time for me) because what I felt was so strong and overwhelming (in a good way)...this week was a little rough for me (due to medical issues) and I think this exercise came at just the right time for me. I attained such a sense of calm and peace after this exercise...as if my uncle was letting me know "all will be well." And I truly believe it!! I feel that this exercise will be one that I will implement into my daily meditation practices along with subtle mind because they will allow me to grow spiritually as well as psychologically. I feel that to attain greater health and wellness these contemplative practices are necessary...and only through practice can I achieve my connection with my inner being and oneness with all.
The statement "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" is simple and common sense. How can you lead anyone towards integral health and wellness, if you yourself have not gone through the experience yourself? How can you understand what your patient needs or why the patient may be struggling? If you didn't go through it yourself, you will have no way of knowing how to guide and help your patient. If you don't lead by example, then you will hold no merit in the eyes of your patients. For instance, how motivated will you be if you get a personal trainer that is overweight? You are being told by the trainer how to workout and what your diet should be...but if you see that the trainer has a weight issue...will you want to follow his advice? Heck, it hasn't worked for him so how is this going to work for me?? Practice what you preach!! Just like the trainer, health and wellness professionals have an obligation to practice what they preach...otherwise they not only lose credibility, but don't have the understanding or knowledge to guide their patients.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Life Assessment
Hi All!
Well, I have to say this week's exercise and assessment process has been difficult. In regards to the universal loving kindness exercise, I was not able to focus and really did not achieve any sense of connection or anything for that matter. I kept forgetting what the words were and kept opening my eyes...which further broke my concentration. I tried this many, many times...and finally after the 10th attempt, gave up. Would love to know how everyone else did? And if you fared better, please provide some insight on what I should do ;)
The integral assessment process was interesting and difficult at the same time. I found it to be very useful, in the sense that it help guide me to the different areas of my life that are in need for improvement, particularly biological and psychospiritual. Though interpersonal and worldly need improvement also, I felt my priority at this time lies in the prior two I just mentioned. As I've mentioned in prior posts, I enjoy working out and have hired a personal trainer to help me with the physical fitness aspect of my life. I also find physical exercise relaxing because when I'm exercising, I'm not thinking of anything else but just being in the moment...focusing on my breath. My trainer actually works with me in this regard (not one of those trainers that yells at you while you're working out). Also, the subtle mind exercise is one that I know will help me to focus on growth and development of the psychospiritual aspect. It brings about stillness of the mind and I find that exercise brings me peace and ease of mind and body. I've made it a point to practice this exercise on a daily basis and it has brought clarity of thought, where I am able to make decisions without attachment to emotions. I'm not saying I don't have my moments, we all do; but I feel this exercise has been the most beneficial for me to foster greater wellness.
Well, I have to say this week's exercise and assessment process has been difficult. In regards to the universal loving kindness exercise, I was not able to focus and really did not achieve any sense of connection or anything for that matter. I kept forgetting what the words were and kept opening my eyes...which further broke my concentration. I tried this many, many times...and finally after the 10th attempt, gave up. Would love to know how everyone else did? And if you fared better, please provide some insight on what I should do ;)
The integral assessment process was interesting and difficult at the same time. I found it to be very useful, in the sense that it help guide me to the different areas of my life that are in need for improvement, particularly biological and psychospiritual. Though interpersonal and worldly need improvement also, I felt my priority at this time lies in the prior two I just mentioned. As I've mentioned in prior posts, I enjoy working out and have hired a personal trainer to help me with the physical fitness aspect of my life. I also find physical exercise relaxing because when I'm exercising, I'm not thinking of anything else but just being in the moment...focusing on my breath. My trainer actually works with me in this regard (not one of those trainers that yells at you while you're working out). Also, the subtle mind exercise is one that I know will help me to focus on growth and development of the psychospiritual aspect. It brings about stillness of the mind and I find that exercise brings me peace and ease of mind and body. I've made it a point to practice this exercise on a daily basis and it has brought clarity of thought, where I am able to make decisions without attachment to emotions. I'm not saying I don't have my moments, we all do; but I feel this exercise has been the most beneficial for me to foster greater wellness.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Subtle Mind Exercise
Hi all!
Compared to loving kindness exercise, the subtle mind exercise was easier for me. Because in loving kindness exercise you focused on a loved one, it was easier to keep my focus. However, I was unable to really focus on enemies or strangers, that part of the exercise was very difficult for me. The subtle mind exercise was definitely a little more difficult because my focus kept straying, but what I loved about this exercise was that it was okay that my focus strayed...I acknowledged the thoughts and allowed them to run their course and subside; and regained my focus. I found this to be very beneficial because instead of feeling frustrated with losing my focus, I quietly observed my thoughts and came back to my focus on my breathe. With the exercises we've done so far, I would get upset about not being able to keep my focus and in turn the relaxation exercise became a chore or disappointment for me. The subtle mind exercise allows you to work with the thoughts, feelings and images that come to mind...recognize them and then release them. I found this exercise to be the most relaxing and after I completed the exercise I realized that I have control over my mental activity...meaning if I recognize the thoughts, feelings and images that come to mind and gently return my attention to my breathe...I am making the intentional possible and my mind can be tamed from the busy mental chatter. Essentially this exercise gave me a sense of empowerment. Did anyone have the same experience?
Spiritual wellness cannot be achieved without having mental and physical wellness...these are all interconnected. The mind, body and spirit comprises a wholeness and if one is adversely affected then all three are affected. Spiritual wellness can be seen a journey to understand one's purpose in life and to connect with the source of our being. But in order to even start this journey, mental and physical wellness are integral parts of this journey...without them there is no sense of wholeness that can be attained. On a personal level, I would say this connection is crucial. As I deal with physical ailments, I not only treat my physical symptoms, but also look to heal my mental well-being during this difficult time and concentrate to cultivate my spiritual wellness with focus on the positive outlook.
Compared to loving kindness exercise, the subtle mind exercise was easier for me. Because in loving kindness exercise you focused on a loved one, it was easier to keep my focus. However, I was unable to really focus on enemies or strangers, that part of the exercise was very difficult for me. The subtle mind exercise was definitely a little more difficult because my focus kept straying, but what I loved about this exercise was that it was okay that my focus strayed...I acknowledged the thoughts and allowed them to run their course and subside; and regained my focus. I found this to be very beneficial because instead of feeling frustrated with losing my focus, I quietly observed my thoughts and came back to my focus on my breathe. With the exercises we've done so far, I would get upset about not being able to keep my focus and in turn the relaxation exercise became a chore or disappointment for me. The subtle mind exercise allows you to work with the thoughts, feelings and images that come to mind...recognize them and then release them. I found this exercise to be the most relaxing and after I completed the exercise I realized that I have control over my mental activity...meaning if I recognize the thoughts, feelings and images that come to mind and gently return my attention to my breathe...I am making the intentional possible and my mind can be tamed from the busy mental chatter. Essentially this exercise gave me a sense of empowerment. Did anyone have the same experience?
Spiritual wellness cannot be achieved without having mental and physical wellness...these are all interconnected. The mind, body and spirit comprises a wholeness and if one is adversely affected then all three are affected. Spiritual wellness can be seen a journey to understand one's purpose in life and to connect with the source of our being. But in order to even start this journey, mental and physical wellness are integral parts of this journey...without them there is no sense of wholeness that can be attained. On a personal level, I would say this connection is crucial. As I deal with physical ailments, I not only treat my physical symptoms, but also look to heal my mental well-being during this difficult time and concentrate to cultivate my spiritual wellness with focus on the positive outlook.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Loving Kindness Exercise
Hi all,
I have to say that the loving kindness exercise was quite an experience for me...it actually caused a stir within me. The past two exercises I did not have much success, but I have made it a point to take time out for myself to meditate at least 30 minutes each day...maybe that's why I felt something in this week's exercise. Visualizing a loved one actually helped me to feel the love, kindness and sense of ease during this exercise...changing those feelings toward myself took some time but I feel that I was able to do that to an extent. The part of the exercise I found difficult to do was the enemies and strangers...meaning I had a hard time "breathing in their suffering and allowing it to dissolve into my heart" Don't get me wrong...it's not that I didn't want to do it, I just didn't feel anything. Any advise?
Overall though, I found this experience to be very beneficial...it truly provided a great sense of ease and was able to feel a sense of connectedness (to a certain extent).
The concept of mental workout is to implement a daily practice on working out our minds to evolve psychospiritual life and access its capacities and resources. In the beginning, you may only be able to do 5 minutes but should eventually do an hour a day...whatever amount of time you're able to give, the key is to keep practicing. The aim of mental workout is for progressive development of an expanded consciousness...one of the practices is loving-kindness. This allows us to open our hearts and diminish our ego centered selves, which sets the ground work for our minds for further development. I personally have made it a point to meditate each day for 30 minutes to help me to develop inner calm and be able to take life's adversaries with a calm and clear mind...it also is the first step to psychological health.
I have to say that the loving kindness exercise was quite an experience for me...it actually caused a stir within me. The past two exercises I did not have much success, but I have made it a point to take time out for myself to meditate at least 30 minutes each day...maybe that's why I felt something in this week's exercise. Visualizing a loved one actually helped me to feel the love, kindness and sense of ease during this exercise...changing those feelings toward myself took some time but I feel that I was able to do that to an extent. The part of the exercise I found difficult to do was the enemies and strangers...meaning I had a hard time "breathing in their suffering and allowing it to dissolve into my heart" Don't get me wrong...it's not that I didn't want to do it, I just didn't feel anything. Any advise?
Overall though, I found this experience to be very beneficial...it truly provided a great sense of ease and was able to feel a sense of connectedness (to a certain extent).
The concept of mental workout is to implement a daily practice on working out our minds to evolve psychospiritual life and access its capacities and resources. In the beginning, you may only be able to do 5 minutes but should eventually do an hour a day...whatever amount of time you're able to give, the key is to keep practicing. The aim of mental workout is for progressive development of an expanded consciousness...one of the practices is loving-kindness. This allows us to open our hearts and diminish our ego centered selves, which sets the ground work for our minds for further development. I personally have made it a point to meditate each day for 30 minutes to help me to develop inner calm and be able to take life's adversaries with a calm and clear mind...it also is the first step to psychological health.
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