Loving Kindness opens our hearts to others. It gradually diminishes self-centeredness, preparing our minds for further development. It means that we will get back what we give (Dacher, 2006).
This week our exercise was to practice Loving Kindness, through a guided practice. As with most of these guided "meditations", I really feel like a person needs to be in the mood to receive. I have to admit, that I found it difficult to concentrate and truly do what was asked of me. I simply could not quiet my mind enough to really focus on the exercise and allow it to work within me. This was the same with the last exercise that we were asked to do, so I have to admit, I realize that I actually need this more than I thought. Logically, I can definitely appreciate and understand how beneficial practicing Loving Kindness can be. I can see how this guided exercise could really help getting a person on the track to achieving this. I liked the part where I was asked to turn all of the feelings towards myself, but this is also where I lost it. I found it difficult to let go and be at peace with my sensations, feelings and thoughts.
I guess this is where the concept of a "mental workout" comes into play. According to Elliot Dacher, this is the belief that one can evolve or enhance his or her psycho spiritual life by simply practicing this type of exercise on a daily basis. If we practice on a daily basis, we may experience human flourishing, which is what happens when one achieves a life of positive health, happiness, and wholeness (Dacher, 2006). For those just starting out, like myself, an exercise like the one I just listened to is recommended at two times daily for the first week, and then at regular intervals in the future. This will help "train" the mind, which is similar to a physical workout, or anything else you want to achieve. It takes time and practice.
Personally, I can't imagine doing this two times a day. I understand the concept of Loving Kindness and really want to practice it in my life. I think that I do.....the "you get back what you give" concept is one that I try to live by. The "human flourishing" aspect is one that will probably take me awhile to achieve. To live these principles, 100%, really would take practice for me. To an extent, I do live a positive life with health and happiness...the wholeness is a different story, and I realize that the way I live is not TRULY healthy or happy (in the way that is meant for human flourishing). All I can do is the best I can, and if I don't achieve "human flourishing" as it's defined, I will work to achieve it to the best of my understanding and ability.
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: the Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA:
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Wellness...
Wellness is defined as the state or condition of being in good physical and mental health... I often get caught up in daily life, and forget to take my own "inventory". I don't take the time to assess my own wellbeing-physical, spiritual and psychological. For this week's exercise, this is exactly what we are supposed to do. I have to put a rating on my wellness in all of these areas.
I will start with my physical wellbeing. I am an active person. I exercise 4-5 times a week pretty vigorously, and walk my dog for at least 40 minutes every day. I play golf... a lot. I eat healthy and care about my health. I get regular physicals and have always felt like I was pretty aware of my body. On the other hand, I know that even with all of this, I could stand to lose a few pounds. My husband and I are very active on the weekends...lots of dinners and happy hours. I know it would help my physical wellness if I cut back on this, but at this point in our lives I don't really see that happening. We are very social people, and there seems to always be something happening, or an occasion that we have to attend. I feel like I live a pretty balanced life, physically, but know I could stand for some improvement. I would rate my physical wellbeing a 7. My goal is to cut back some on the weekend "festivities". As I get older, it gets harder for my body to recover. I need to continue working out, and make sure that I make time for this at least 5 days/week. I should do more yoga and calming exercises, which will help me in other areas of my life.
Spiritually I could really use some work right now. I have always considered myself to be a very spiritual person, especially when I was younger and lived in Hawaii, where I meditated, swam in the ocean, and practiced yoga almost every day. As I've said before, somewhere along the way, in the hustle and bustle of life, I have let those practices fall away. I don't pray like I should, and I really don't have that feeling of peace that comes with being spiritually connected. I have felt that before, so I know what I'm missing. I would rate the spiritual aspect of my wellbeing a 4 at this time. I am a believer, I just need to put it into practice again. My goal to help get me back on track to finding my spiritual self will be to spend a few quiet moments when I wake up in the morning, in quiet meditation and prayer to the God of my understanding.
Psychologically, I'm really not sure. I have days where I feel great about myself, and then days that I don't. I think that this is normal. I do have books that help me when times get tough, and I have the unwavering support of my friends and family. If I ever get down, they help get me through. I think that I am a positive person...I believe in the good in things and people. The one thing that I might get down about, would be me. I really could work on my self-esteem, and try to stay more consistent. I will rate my psychological wellness as a 7. I think that if I trained my mind to stay positive and to trust in myself, I can do better than that. I will start to read my daily affirmations in the morning to start my day off on a positive note.
We were also to do another relaxation exercise with a recording. Last week it was good, and it helped me. This week I just wasn't in the mood, and to be honest, it annoyed me. I didn't make it through the entire exercise....oh well!!! :)
I will start with my physical wellbeing. I am an active person. I exercise 4-5 times a week pretty vigorously, and walk my dog for at least 40 minutes every day. I play golf... a lot. I eat healthy and care about my health. I get regular physicals and have always felt like I was pretty aware of my body. On the other hand, I know that even with all of this, I could stand to lose a few pounds. My husband and I are very active on the weekends...lots of dinners and happy hours. I know it would help my physical wellness if I cut back on this, but at this point in our lives I don't really see that happening. We are very social people, and there seems to always be something happening, or an occasion that we have to attend. I feel like I live a pretty balanced life, physically, but know I could stand for some improvement. I would rate my physical wellbeing a 7. My goal is to cut back some on the weekend "festivities". As I get older, it gets harder for my body to recover. I need to continue working out, and make sure that I make time for this at least 5 days/week. I should do more yoga and calming exercises, which will help me in other areas of my life.
Spiritually I could really use some work right now. I have always considered myself to be a very spiritual person, especially when I was younger and lived in Hawaii, where I meditated, swam in the ocean, and practiced yoga almost every day. As I've said before, somewhere along the way, in the hustle and bustle of life, I have let those practices fall away. I don't pray like I should, and I really don't have that feeling of peace that comes with being spiritually connected. I have felt that before, so I know what I'm missing. I would rate the spiritual aspect of my wellbeing a 4 at this time. I am a believer, I just need to put it into practice again. My goal to help get me back on track to finding my spiritual self will be to spend a few quiet moments when I wake up in the morning, in quiet meditation and prayer to the God of my understanding.
Psychologically, I'm really not sure. I have days where I feel great about myself, and then days that I don't. I think that this is normal. I do have books that help me when times get tough, and I have the unwavering support of my friends and family. If I ever get down, they help get me through. I think that I am a positive person...I believe in the good in things and people. The one thing that I might get down about, would be me. I really could work on my self-esteem, and try to stay more consistent. I will rate my psychological wellness as a 7. I think that if I trained my mind to stay positive and to trust in myself, I can do better than that. I will start to read my daily affirmations in the morning to start my day off on a positive note.
We were also to do another relaxation exercise with a recording. Last week it was good, and it helped me. This week I just wasn't in the mood, and to be honest, it annoyed me. I didn't make it through the entire exercise....oh well!!! :)
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Relaxation.....
So, this is my first blog post....ever. I'm not quite sure how this is going to work; I am not computer savvy at all, and the last thing I ever wanted was a blog. I wasn't even quite sure what that meant. But hey, it's part of this journey, and I am hoping to learn from this, and find a way to better express myself, and get guidance and inspiration from my classmates.
I imagine that this will get easier as we go on, and hopefully I will be able to open up and share more of myself during this process. For now, forgive my lack of creativity....I will get there.
We were asked to go on a "Relaxation Journey"....it was a 15 min. experience of guided meditation and relaxation. I love that there was the power of suggestion and "active listening"....we were asked to visualize the flow of blood throughout our body. As a massage therapist, I know that intent can really effect the body-mind connection. I believed, and felt, the blood flow where I wanted it to.
This is a great way to begin training the mind and body to quiet and relax. It really helps at first to have a guide...I know for me, it's difficult to quiet my mind.
I used to practice every day, to meditated and focus on my mind/body connection. I lost it along the way. I realize this often, but I don't do anything about it. Isn't that terrible? I know what I need to do, I know how to do it, I know what it feels like and how wonderful it is for me, yet I don't take the time for myself to put it into action. I have the time, I have the space, I have the desire...so what is holding me back? I don't feel like I'm lazy, I exercise almost every day, I walk my dog every day, I have other routines that are just a part of my life, but I have yet to reincorporate this important aspect back into it. I don't know why. Maybe I'm afraid that I won't get the feeling back that I once had and I'll be disappointed. There is no way to know but to try, and that is why I am here...that is why I am taking this class. I didn't know what to expect, but am now so excited, and nervous, about this journey. I can't wait for you to go on it with me.....
I imagine that this will get easier as we go on, and hopefully I will be able to open up and share more of myself during this process. For now, forgive my lack of creativity....I will get there.
We were asked to go on a "Relaxation Journey"....it was a 15 min. experience of guided meditation and relaxation. I love that there was the power of suggestion and "active listening"....we were asked to visualize the flow of blood throughout our body. As a massage therapist, I know that intent can really effect the body-mind connection. I believed, and felt, the blood flow where I wanted it to.
This is a great way to begin training the mind and body to quiet and relax. It really helps at first to have a guide...I know for me, it's difficult to quiet my mind.
I used to practice every day, to meditated and focus on my mind/body connection. I lost it along the way. I realize this often, but I don't do anything about it. Isn't that terrible? I know what I need to do, I know how to do it, I know what it feels like and how wonderful it is for me, yet I don't take the time for myself to put it into action. I have the time, I have the space, I have the desire...so what is holding me back? I don't feel like I'm lazy, I exercise almost every day, I walk my dog every day, I have other routines that are just a part of my life, but I have yet to reincorporate this important aspect back into it. I don't know why. Maybe I'm afraid that I won't get the feeling back that I once had and I'll be disappointed. There is no way to know but to try, and that is why I am here...that is why I am taking this class. I didn't know what to expect, but am now so excited, and nervous, about this journey. I can't wait for you to go on it with me.....
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