HW-420 Unit 4-Loving-Kindness

This week in class we are working with a contemplative practice from Elliott S. Dacher, M.D. Integral Health. The exercise was on Loving-Kindness. It is the first step in the process of bringing Integral Health into your life. You must first show yourself loving kindness before you can begin to truly show it to others. This is the step where we leave our self-centered ways behind us.

I am not a fan of someone talking to me, however after practicing this exercise a few times I was able to not use the recording and just use my own ocean sounds. I definitely found this exercise most beneficial. Despite having to listen to the woman this is a process I have been practicing for years and I found myself more open to relaxing and following the process. I would recommend this to others. The book is easy to read and follow and the process is only as difficult as you make it. If they are ready for the journey then the process will work.

The concept of the mental work out is to begin to use our minds on a higher level. When this is accomplished we become happier, healthier and whole. Short and long term benefits of mental workouts are the foundation of our psychological health and can be implemented into our daily lives through meditation when we wake in the morning and before we go to sleep. Doing this will help to make us healthier mind and body.

Linda

HW420-Optimal Well-Being

For this week’s blog I am supposed to rate on a scale of one to ten (ten being optimal) my physical, spiritual and psychological well-being, then develop a goal for each and talk about an activity that will help me accomplish my goals.

During the winter I rate myself an 8 for physical well-being, because during this time I tend to work out less because it’s cold. I average about 4 days a week. During the other seasons I rate myself a 9 because I love the warmer weather and nothing not even rain keeps me inside. During the warmer months I average 6 days a week of 45 minutes or more of exercise. My goal would be to add another day of exercise to my winter routine. I could meet this goal if I added another day of yoga or possibly another day of rowing or cycling. I could choose one of those activities according to what I am interested in that day.

Spiritually I rate myself a 9. I am happy with how I nourish my spiritual self through meditation and the Tao Te Ching. I meditate at least 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes before I go to sleep. Doing this daily brings me closer to my creator and it helps to ground and balance me. I rarely if ever have a dooms day attitude. I have a positive outlook and rarely feel like things are out of control. At this time the only goal spiritually that I might find useful is a way to add more service into my life. To accomplish this goal I could look for an organization that needs volunteers.

I rate my psychological well-being as a 9 and I rate myself that because I don’t sweat the small stuff. I feel that no matter how bad things might be in the moment I can with thought, creativity and hard work turn it around. I truly believe that if it’s worth having I am ready to dig in and work hard for it. I honestly not sure of a goal for my psychological well-being. I am open to suggestions.

Finally I tried to follow the guided meditation The Crime of the Century. I find the voice guided meditation distracting. I found myself not relaxing especially when he explained the colors and their function. I would much rather practice my self-guided meditation with a mantra that I might need at that moment. I feel like I won’t find any guided meditation relaxing. I will however remain open to any exercise presented during the course.

Linda

Guided Meditation-Not for Me (HW420)

The Journey On guided relaxation technique was not too relaxing for me. I personally am not a fan of guided meditation. I find the talking distracting and my natural inclination is to tune it out and clear my mind myself. While doing this exercise I found myself falling asleep. When I do my daily meditations I use breathing techniques to relax my body and clear my mind. I also ocean, river or nature sounds for relaxation and my favorite is classical music. For me talking ruins the atmosphere I want to create for relaxing and decluttering my mind.

I tried this exercise on two different occasions and spent more time listening to the speaker’s direction than relaxing. This type of meditation may work for others but is not a relaxing meditation for me.

Linda