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