1.
This week’s practice was called “The Subtle Mind”.
Focusing on breathing and creating a focal point to draw back to, allowed me to
pull myself back to my breath whenever a random thought, feeling, or image came
to mind. I was able to really see just how trained our minds have become to
clinging on the flowing mental activity. It was difficult for me to clear my
mind at first, but toward the end of the exercise my mind started to settle.
This would be an exercise for me that I would have to use several times because
my mind tends to be very active. I felt calm once I was able to reach
stillness. Compared to the Loving-Kindness activity, I can see where both
activities would need to be practiced throughout the week. I found
loving-kindness to be very emotional at first, and the subtle mind was also difficult
at first. The benefits between the two would leave a clear mind of unity
consciousness and a compassion for all things.
2.
Spiritual wellness is connected to mental and
physical wellness. An integral approach requires us to focus on the physical,
mental, and spiritual levels of development to evolve the full potential of our
biological life. Progressively evolving to higher levels of development takes
us from body to mind to spirit. This shift brings us from the physical realm to
the realm of the mental, which focuses on intention and interconnectedness, and
then further progressing to the realm of spiritual awareness. This is a shift
from outer to inner to innermost. Our bodies are sophisticated information
systems that are interconnected. When we accept that we are more than just an
anatomical system, our perspective changes and we are able to develop the
capacity to control all areas of our being. Our trained mind can shape our
biology. The body moves with the mind and our body is a manifestation of the spirit.
We gain stability through development (Dacher, 2006). In my personal life, I
plan on continuing with the increase of mental training. In doing so I am able
to develop my inner being, control my mind, body, and spirit, and reach my goal
of total wellness.
References:
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human
flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Hello
ReplyDeleteI have to had trouble getting my mind to settle and clear so I could continue. I am going to have to practice with these exercises because they just seem to get harder and harder to complete. Maybe it has to do with me stressing about them not working.
Arline T.
Hello Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI found the diverse responses of our peers on this excersice to be interesting. Many found either the loving kindess or the subtle mind to be much more benefitial. I found the subtle mind to be very benefitial in working towards a witnessing mind. Do you find yourself thinking back to either of these excercises during your daily routine? Have you gone back to listen to the loving kindess mp3 this week? I haven't had a chance to yet but feel that it would be very benefitial in combining the benefits of the two.
Hi Stephani. I have been doing the exercises daily. It has proven to be very beneficial. I am able to clear my mind so much easier than before. I conducted an experiement while I went on a road trip. I decided to start focusing on my breathing to clear my mind, and within minutes my mind was clear. The passing cars and scenery were just existing. They would come and go without me grasping on to them. I plan on continuing with these exercises every day.
DeleteYou mentioned some very good points that our bodies are information systems interconnected. I think that this is a good point because we need to focus on our mind, body, and spirit in order to be one and interconnected.
ReplyDeleteChelsey Leone
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYou are right that both exercises, loving kindness and this weeks subtle mind, can be difficult to undergo at first. As you said both were hard but you got the hang of it towards the end of them, I think once you are there, able to be still, I would stay there for a longer time than our exercise alloted. You were right that they each would take many trys, I feel like the loving kindness exercise was the toughest for me-and yes it was very emotional. I have not always been so good with some of my emotions, recently I have been able to release some of that and understand the roots, but I found myself still clinging to several emotions I had not totally delt with yet. I think you have the right idea to continue practice.
-Stacey Smith
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteYou are right that both exercises, loving kindness and this weeks subtle mind, can be difficult to undergo at first. As you said both were hard but you got the hang of it towards the end of them, I think once you are there, able to be still, I would stay there for a longer time than our exercise alloted. You were right that they each would take many trys, I feel like the loving kindness exercise was the toughest for me-and yes it was very emotional. I have not always been so good with some of my emotions, recently I have been able to release some of that and understand the roots, but I found myself still clinging to several emotions I had not totally delt with yet. I think you have the right idea to continue practice.
-Stacey Smith
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteNice job on your blog. you are so right I too have a hard time clearing my mind.
I found some good articles in the March issue of Oprah, (of all places) on meditating, finding peace and quiet and training your mind. Pretty good articles actually. It just shows how this industry is growing.
I am so tired and stressed from mid terms that i think I will go meditate, for about 7 hours.