Unit 10: Summation

My Unit 3 assessment still holds true today.  There is much deeper meaning in all areas but I remain a 7 which I predicted.  I did and still feel that the more I know doesn’t change my rating since there is always lots of room for improvement as Olympian Fitness has no limits.  The only thing that could happen is I could drop down but right now I’m so motivated to achieve the best health possible that I doubt that will happen. 

I’ve exceeded my meditation goals and the practice has become more frequent than I had predicted.  I’ve not been able to share my meditation experiences with my husband as he just doesn’t get it.  He’s a wonderful man but he’s not feeling it.  I’ll continue up my own ladder.  He’ll get interested soon.  I love that short sessions are possible and that I can calm the mind even in the midst of an encounter.  My nutrition remains sound.  My exercise routine is sporadic but I’m covering the bases with short sessions.  I struggle with a fitness routine being a habit.  I think alternating activities will help my boredom.  I’m mentally in a good place.  I’ve settled into a good doable plan and I’m not far from making it happen. 

I have definitely improved my well-being as a result of this class.  I’ve made it a life-style change so I often forget that I’m in a class.  I’ll say “I don’t have to keep doing this.  It’s just a class.”  Then I ask myself “why not?  It’s working for me!”  My reward is better relationships with others.  I’ve seen differences in my plan of attack and also my reactions when dealing with others.  Less drama for me and when I don’t participate in it people stop talking about it.  They calm down since I’m not adding to their craziness.  My health is better.  I have a peace.  I do find long meditation sessions very difficult.  I can’t last 30 minutes or even 15.  I’ll continue with 5 minutes many times per day and work from there.  It seems to be working fine for me.      

This whole experience has already helped me deal with others.  Some want to ask questions and discuss their own experiences and listen to mine.  I also find some are not interested at all and I’m experiencing a more distant relationship with some.  Maybe it’s simply none of my business!  Or maybe they are hiding from something and don’t want to address their issues.  That’s ok too.  My interpersonal relationships are changing and I believe that’s a good thing.  

Quick Meditation vs. Visualization of my God

There are two activities that work for me.  One is what I call a Blank Disc meditation.  I can easily start it by closing my eyes and concentrating on the breath entering and leaving my nostrils.  I’m not going to complicate it by alternating nostrils though!  Simple is what I’m looking for and I eventually can visualize that blank disc going round and round which I find much better than counting sheep when I can’t sleep.  The second practice that I enjoy is the Visualization using an Aesclepius type figure.  The presence of God works the best for me.  Since he lives within me it’s easy to see his greatness and assume his presence and wisdom.  It’s peaceful for me and I can talk to him in prayer without feeling like I’m idolizing some mortal and feeling guilty. 

The Blank Disc Meditation is one of those quick practices that I use to get “in the zone” and neutralize some drama.  I had such an event today and in the middle of my confrontation I was able to hear my opposition but relax with empathy and calm the situation with my actions toward him and calm my mind as well.  Instead of “competing for the floor” I gained respect by rising above through calmness. I wasn’t sure about the outcome during the event but it worked out nicely for all involved.  The Aesclepius practice takes more time and I need a peaceful place to contemplate the event but it gives me confidence and contentment knowing my wise lord is always there and waiting.       

Unit 7: Aesclepius & Leading With Experience

Meeting Aesclepius

I really like this meditation and I’m able to cruise right through it quickly while finding a peace.  I have wished I could hang out with my “wise man” mentor all day and through this exercise I can.  I have noticed that in trying to practice this meditation I haven’t been in prayer as much.  Perhaps I need to replace my mentor with a vision of Jesus sitting casually with me since he is anyway.  This way I can read his words in print and hear him saying them during the meditation session.

 "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (Dacher, 2006).   

One definitely cannot lead another in the same way as a leader who has experience in the path.  Faking it only goes so far.  A practitioner may know the general direction but unless there is continuing education they will quickly fall behind or limit themselves to a life of shallow general practice.  This limited education does work for some practitioners but as the public becomes more aware of the many approaches to wellness I feel it’s very important for the practitioner to keep up or risk lack of credibility. Relating also applies to things that haven’t worked for us.  “I can relate, it didn’t work for me but it has for many.” I would respect a doctor more for being honest.  Even in our personal life we should continuously educate ourselves in not only new theories but in checking the truth in the old as to weed out wives tales and misguided advertisements.  

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

Unit 6: Universal Loving-Kindness

During the 10 minute Universal Loving Kindness meditation exercise, of reciting the positive affirmation’s, I first thought that I could come up with something better to say over and over but after a few minutes I settled into the thought that of course we want people not to suffer and I DO want to help.  I felt like I was ultimately asking for World Peace and where can I help.   “May everyone have peace…may I assist them with this peace.”   

The Six Principles of Integral Assessment:

1.  Alleviate needless suffering and promote human flourishing.  This is the first step where we identify our biggest source of distress and identify the greatest possibility for growth and development. (Dacher, 2006).

2.  Learn to recognize short-term relief vs. a permanent relief from needless suffering.  Learn to apply them at appropriate times.  If we just go with quick fixes we’re destined to relive the issue.
3.  Recognize the difference in immediate pleasure and long-term flourishing. This is the difference between external pleasure and internal pleasure which is sustainable.  
4.  Psycho-spiritual development works toward opening our heart, strengthening our capacity for attention, focuses our intention and reveals wisdom toward human flourishing. (Dacher, 2006).
5.  Learn to listen to our inner voice and seek and acknowledge guidance.  This calm abiding non bias state helps us develop our assessment. 
6.  Learn to assess our changing characters and make modifications when appropriate.  

 Personal Assessment:

I find that I do work on my perception and attitudes constantly.  I assess the way I respond and accept my own criticism when I reflect on what motivates me.  I thought I might over analyze but by this exercise I perhaps don’t work on remedies as much as I possibly should.  I don’t “volunteer” but I do give much time to friends, family and clients.  One area that remains at the top of my “source of distress” list is finances.  It seems I’m always broke.  We achieve short-term success but lack of funds always to be a revisited dilemma.  In about a year I see some reprieve as things start to pay off but we’re getting older and with no retirement we have some big unknowns ahead.  It always seems the answer is right around the corner.  I’m not as nervous as my husband but I’m younger too.  I tend to be a “Pollyanna” so I need to see the reality in situations.  I’ve been told I can sell ice to an Eskimo but that would be a short-term fix also! 

For my personal growth and development I need to focus on keeping my base of stillness, regular exercise, and keeping a nest egg in the bank so that I don’t ever function from a desperate mindset.  

Plan:

1.  Practice my stillness and witnessing mind throughout the day and make a habit of it.

2.  Meet my trainer in my home to write an in-home routine to follow. 
3.  Keep a certain balance in the bank as a cushion.  As things pay off I plan to increase this cushion and set future financial goals. 

Unit 5 Blog Assignment

1.  Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.

I like the subtle mind exercise better than the loving kindness tape.  I don’t like listening to the voice but rather enjoy doing it on my own in silence or with soundscapes. The loving kindness session has some issues for me.  I don’t like pulling suffering into me to neutralize it but prefer to dissolve it where it’s found in the other person.  Also, my mind is busy coming up with people to dwell on as I’m trying to come up with issues to eliminate for them etc.  I like the subtle mind because the focus on the nostrils really works to clear my mind.  I felt the passing, in and out, of calm abiding.    

2.  Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.

The spiritual is the reason I do things the way I do.  It’s my integrity, my reasoning, my past experiences, the real me that even I don’t know entirely.  It’s where I receive direction.  The mental is my ability to figure out and carry out the task which requires the physical being healthy enough to keep up.  I remember working in a hospital and trying to decide if I would prefer being the patient whose body has given up but they still have a sharp mind, or, the person with a mind that’s blank inside a healthy body.  My new focus on required quiet time has shown me some reasons I act in certain ways.  Identifying these has helped me restructure some misguided thoughts.       

Loving-Kindness-Unit 4

1.Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

 I loved the exercise from the MP3 as I had tried it twice from the book and was confused about a couple things.  I was very relaxed.  I started using my husband as my calming source as he is such a comfort for me.  During the tape I switched to my granddaughter.  She is 21 months and she has such an innocence and unconditional love for everything that she gave me neutral warmth.  When I used my husband I had thoughts of conversation and it distracted me. When I’m with him we talk.  I’ll work on that.  I would recommend this to others.  Only serious open people though.  I don’t need friends judging and joining in and critiquing while I’m figuring this all out.  I only want to deal with classmates during this time.   I’m serious about my growth. 

I need some clarification about taking the suffering of others into my heart.  I’m hearing that I have the power to dissolve that suffering for them and send back healthiness.  It’s a big step to say “give me all that illness and I’ll get rid of it.” 

 2.What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

Daily workouts or practice sessions are necessary to change or grow whether it’s physically or mentally.  We’re working on human flourishing and Dacher, 2006, states that “loving-kindness and wisdom are the essential elements that heal at the source and drive human flourishing.” When I’m taking on a person’s suffering and sending out healing and loving-kindness there is no room for judging that person.  We’re forgiving them and unconditionally loving them.  It takes wisdom to know that we must get past our own hang-ups or guarded feelings if we truly wish them well.  That’s truly eliminating self-centeredness. 

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

Rainbow Meditation

I’ve heard this before but this time it was received a bit different even-though it was the same voice.  I kept wondering why it was called Crime of the Century.  My breathing was must better and my focus as well.  I never did understand if the window of light was coming from or going into my body.  My mind kept thinking “what did he say?”  I actually remember the colors of the rainbow and it prepared me for the reading, on page 56 of Dacher, (Meeting Asclepius) about sitting with a wise person and receiving their light.  I loved that exercise!  Don’t miss reading it. 

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