HW-420-Unit 8

The most beneficial exercises for me were the Loving-Kindness from Unit 6 and Subtle Mind from Unit 5. I admit that is because they were the exercises that resembled the type of meditation I already practice.

With the Loving-Kindness I practiced with the exercise provided and learned the guided part so that I could self-guide and use my own music or nature sounds. I find guided meditation hard to do because I am so used to not hearing anything other than the music or sounds I introduce. However we can all modify these exercises to suit our needs. Using meditation to spread goodwill is something I strive to do for myself and others. This was the easiest for me because of the mantras and it was very close to what I learned from Dr. Wayne Dyer’s books and PBS specials.

Subtle-mind was also good for me as well. I have really embraced this practice as it helps me let go of the days clutter in my head and allows me to sleep more peacefully. Many times I have cleared my mind so completely I have fallen asleep in my meditation area. I have now decided that practicing this decluttering should be done after I climb into my bed for the night.

I am supposed to tell how I will implement these practices into my daily life, well I have been practicing meditation for over ten years and it has become so ingrained in my daily life that I feel off if I don’t get my meditation time in. When I first started I only meditated for short periods. I had to learn how to focus and I had to teach my then 8 and 12 year-olds to let me have that time. Now ten years later I start my day with a 20 minute meditation and I end my day with another 20 minute meditation. As with anything we truly want in our lives it takes the three “P’s” practice, patience and persistence.

Linda

HW420-Unit 7

I have to say that I enjoyed my meditation much more before I started these exercises and couldn’t put names to them. Now that I am a bit more aware I feel it being more work. I find myself trying to meet the different stages now, but in the past I always felt calm and at peace when I wasn’t so focused on these exercises. Overall I think the knowledge is good but it hasn’t fostered an increase in my psychological or spiritual wellness mostly because I practiced much of this beforehand only with different names. I much prefer Dr. Wayne Dyer and his practices, though the Integral Health book is easy to read and the process is easy to follow. I will continue with my meditations and possibly try to integrate what I have learned to assist me on my journey to wholeness.

“One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself.” 

I think the above statement means that if you yourself have not experienced what you are teaching you can’t really teach what needs to be taught. I think as a health and wellness professional we have an obligation to have experienced some or all levels of what we are teaching. I also think we do have an obligation to help our clients with developing their health psychology, physically and spiritually if the clients wants to learn. We should give them the information they need to learn. We should share not push our clients. 

I implement psychological and spiritual health daily through exercise, yoga, service and meditation.

Linda

HW420-Unit 6 Universal Loving-Kindness

This was the easiest of all the exercises for me as this is very close to what I already practice. The exercise of universal Loving Kindness wants you to repeat these phrases to yourself ten minutes-

May all individuals gain freedom from suffering
May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness
May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering
May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness. (Dacher, 2006)

I already practice a similar meditation, the only difference being the phases I repeat. I guess you could say I practice positive affirmations or intention. I am a big believer in what you think becomes who you are. If you think you will always be poor then you will. So I choose to think-

I live in an abundant universe. I have what I need and I will be fine. When I am feeling unwell I repeat to myself, “I’m healthy and I am attracting healing to me, I refuse the sickness.” When I am feeling unsure of myself as a writer or photographer, I say, “I am a writer and photographer and no one can take that from me.” I also use, “I am whole and perfect as I was created.” I have many others. 

But I think one will have success with the current exercise if they truly love themselves. If we do not truly love ourselves then it is difficult to spread the loving kindness the exercise wants us to do.

I think I need to work on my community skills and social activism as well as emotions. The universal loving-kindness exercise could help open me up to all of those areas. Emotionally I could practice being more open to others and as for the others I need to find something I am passionate about and go out and change it.

Reference

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.