Okay, we are on to unit 6, and the information is still pouring in, what is shocking is how intesting the lessons have been throughout this course.
I have to say that this loving-kindness exercise was probably one of the best exercises I have done throughout this course, I have lived my entire life feeling like I am here to serve others and make a difference in this world. I think as human beings we are sometimes left with feelings that we are not proud of, we can become angry, have feelings of jealousy towards others, overall these feelings can weigh heavy on the mind, body, and spirit, this exercise was very helpful in aiding me through negative feelings, and emptying my heart of feelings that I feel that are sometimes beyond my control. Repeating the following statements, brought a me a certain level of peace and serenity.
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.
With the Integral Assessment I felt a bit scattered, however I did allow my body and mind to rest and ease into a state where I was able to release all mental activity, I have identified through this exercise that the area of my own life that needs healing is self gratification and confidence, I have spent my entire life building others up and encouraging others to reach their absolute best in life, to never settle etc, but when it comes to myself I am all to often lacking confidence and left doubting my abilities, I have identified that I am most capable of accomplishment simply by reflecting back on my life, so why the doubt? I have vowed to myself to give myself more credit, and reward myself for the accomplishments and good doing I have done in this life.
I wish you all the best going into unit 7!
Michelle
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Unit 5
It's hard to believe we are half way there already, this term seems to be flying on by...
I enjoyed this exercise because it focused on breathing, I was intrigued when Dacher explained that you are able to control the mind and thoughts with breathing, he states at one point "if you slow the breathing, you slow the mind", (Dacher, 2006). That concept is very interesting to me because it once again proves that we as humans do indeed have control of our minds. The breath is the focal point, however as thoughts, and feelings approach, they are still acknowledged and then dismissed, and again the focus goes back to the breathing and not to the thoughts at hand. I liked this exercise because I am so easily distracted, as I was in the last exercise I was able to get side tracked and distracted very easily and as a result I found it very hard to get back to the exercise, however with this exercise it was about gaining control of the mind and having the ability to re-focus on the breathing, when I would focus on the breathing and not the distraction I found it very easy for me to get back into the exercise. I can't say that my mind ever reached a full complete stillness during this exercise, however I think if I continued to practice that this would come over time, I do have a very busy mind and I have acknowledged that there is a lot going on "up there" even when I want it to simply calm down and rest, in fact; that's when it seems to be the most active. I really believe that for me this exercise will be very useful if I continue to do it and really give it my all, I am curious to see where my mind can take me, but more so I am interested in identifying how much control I have over my thoughts and feelings.
Spiritual, physical, and mental wellness to me are an "all-in-one" package, I truly believe that in order for one to be successful and effective, the others must be not only in place but functioning properly. Spiritual wellness is important because it grounds me with a belief that is greater than myself, mental wellness is one of the most important because I am not only able to identify who I am as a person, but come face to face with my emotions and feelings, address my inner demons and allow room in my mind for change, physical is important because if I am not physically healthy and happy I am not able to accomplish success in the other areas of well-being. Maintaining these three areas of my life is a job all in itself, for many people its just something that is simply "there" and not looked into much further than that, but once you shoot for a healthier happier life, it all comes into focus very clearly, and it becomes a realization that it takes work.
I wish you all the best this unit.
Michelle
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications Inc.
I enjoyed this exercise because it focused on breathing, I was intrigued when Dacher explained that you are able to control the mind and thoughts with breathing, he states at one point "if you slow the breathing, you slow the mind", (Dacher, 2006). That concept is very interesting to me because it once again proves that we as humans do indeed have control of our minds. The breath is the focal point, however as thoughts, and feelings approach, they are still acknowledged and then dismissed, and again the focus goes back to the breathing and not to the thoughts at hand. I liked this exercise because I am so easily distracted, as I was in the last exercise I was able to get side tracked and distracted very easily and as a result I found it very hard to get back to the exercise, however with this exercise it was about gaining control of the mind and having the ability to re-focus on the breathing, when I would focus on the breathing and not the distraction I found it very easy for me to get back into the exercise. I can't say that my mind ever reached a full complete stillness during this exercise, however I think if I continued to practice that this would come over time, I do have a very busy mind and I have acknowledged that there is a lot going on "up there" even when I want it to simply calm down and rest, in fact; that's when it seems to be the most active. I really believe that for me this exercise will be very useful if I continue to do it and really give it my all, I am curious to see where my mind can take me, but more so I am interested in identifying how much control I have over my thoughts and feelings.
Spiritual, physical, and mental wellness to me are an "all-in-one" package, I truly believe that in order for one to be successful and effective, the others must be not only in place but functioning properly. Spiritual wellness is important because it grounds me with a belief that is greater than myself, mental wellness is one of the most important because I am not only able to identify who I am as a person, but come face to face with my emotions and feelings, address my inner demons and allow room in my mind for change, physical is important because if I am not physically healthy and happy I am not able to accomplish success in the other areas of well-being. Maintaining these three areas of my life is a job all in itself, for many people its just something that is simply "there" and not looked into much further than that, but once you shoot for a healthier happier life, it all comes into focus very clearly, and it becomes a realization that it takes work.
I wish you all the best this unit.
Michelle
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications Inc.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Unit 4
Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?
This was an interesting unit for me simply because this is all very new to me. I think that we each have our own way of relaxation and getting in touch with our inner self, however actually sitting down and having a method for which we can connect with yourself and find that inner peace, is something foreign to most people, including me. I live a very busy lifestyle with three kids, (soon to be four), full time work, and full time school, so "me" time is essentially non existent at this point, but I did want to dedicate myself to this exercise and give it a shot. I think that the exercise overall was relaxing, however I can see how it would have been much more beneficial if I had an area to escape to that was entirely silent so I could concentrate on nothing more than me, but reality is I was distracted and I didn't feel like I was able to fully dedicate myself to the exercise, therefore I don't think I was able to receive the full benefit of it. I think it would depend on the person whether or not I would recommend this to them, I say that because not everybody would feel comfortable doing this exercise.
What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?
A mental workout is an activity that allows a higher state of awareness, when we do mental workouts we are able to access the more subtle levels of the mind. I believe that a mental workout is when we are able to essentially train our brain in areas that we want or need to, and create a better sense of who we are internally, by allowing us to gather our thoughts and feelings and concentrate on the here the now and the "me", which very rarely happens in life. The proven benefits of a mental workout is that it creates a greater sense of awareness and that we gain access to the more subtle levels of the mind, witnessing consciousness, the mental state of calm abiding, and the pure awareness of a unity consciousness (Dacher, 2006). I think that mental workouts can be fostered into your psychological health first by being open-minded and accepting, if you are not willing to make a change or give it a try you will certainly not be successful in your endeavor, so this is very important. The whole process of mental workout is very new to me, so it is a completely new learning process.
I wish you all another great week of fun and learning.
Michelle
This was an interesting unit for me simply because this is all very new to me. I think that we each have our own way of relaxation and getting in touch with our inner self, however actually sitting down and having a method for which we can connect with yourself and find that inner peace, is something foreign to most people, including me. I live a very busy lifestyle with three kids, (soon to be four), full time work, and full time school, so "me" time is essentially non existent at this point, but I did want to dedicate myself to this exercise and give it a shot. I think that the exercise overall was relaxing, however I can see how it would have been much more beneficial if I had an area to escape to that was entirely silent so I could concentrate on nothing more than me, but reality is I was distracted and I didn't feel like I was able to fully dedicate myself to the exercise, therefore I don't think I was able to receive the full benefit of it. I think it would depend on the person whether or not I would recommend this to them, I say that because not everybody would feel comfortable doing this exercise.
What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?
A mental workout is an activity that allows a higher state of awareness, when we do mental workouts we are able to access the more subtle levels of the mind. I believe that a mental workout is when we are able to essentially train our brain in areas that we want or need to, and create a better sense of who we are internally, by allowing us to gather our thoughts and feelings and concentrate on the here the now and the "me", which very rarely happens in life. The proven benefits of a mental workout is that it creates a greater sense of awareness and that we gain access to the more subtle levels of the mind, witnessing consciousness, the mental state of calm abiding, and the pure awareness of a unity consciousness (Dacher, 2006). I think that mental workouts can be fostered into your psychological health first by being open-minded and accepting, if you are not willing to make a change or give it a try you will certainly not be successful in your endeavor, so this is very important. The whole process of mental workout is very new to me, so it is a completely new learning process.
I wish you all another great week of fun and learning.
Michelle
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Unit 3
Hello Everyone!
Its a bit hard to believe we are already halfway through unit 3, the time is going by so fast it amazes me. This unit was quite interesting and the blog concept is equally as interesting to me, I say that because it's not to often that you are asked to rate yourself, to me it's a bit difficult but I can assure you I will give it my very best, and still stay honest. Overall I think I would rate my optimal well being at a 6, yes I'm sure many of you are thinking wow shes not giving herself enough credit, but in all reality I am acknowledging the fact that there is a great deal of room for change within myself and I know that deep down inside. On a physical level of wellness I know that I can make improvements in so many ways, I'm actually not sure where to even start but I think I would rate myself at a 6 for this area, my current method of staying "active" involves chasing after three growing kids, work, volunteering, and juggling life, oh, by the way this juggling always seems to be in fast forward mode, it's like somebody has their finger on the fast forward button at all times, yes I know that is not good, but it is simply how my life works at this given moment, at some point in the future I would really like to take on an actual physical activity that is dedicated to me. On a psychological level I am going to rate myself at a 7, I have a special way of keeping myself psychologically healthy and the system I have works for me, and because of this I am able to live a very happy life, I can't say that there is a proven "method for madness" however it works for me and my life, I am a deep thinker and a great problem solver, I have also vowed to myself not to let negativity weigh on my shoulders, so I have methods of dealing with that stress and finding useful ways to deal with it, my goal in this area is to continue to work on my problem solving and to share my methods with others who value seeing life in a different life, when the lens they are currently looking through is not as clear as they would like it to be. On a spiritual level I'm going to rate myself at a 7, I can't necessarily say that there is one are of my life that completes my overall spiritual well being, however I do truly believe that there are many aspects of my life that collaborate and create something very beautiful for me, I have a deep connection with my family and friends along with a strong connection to my religion, the one aspect of spirituality that I would like to improve for my future is identification and self worth, I would like to continue to gain a better appreciation for who I am, and what I am capable of, the result of this is being able to then share that positive experience with the world.
Hmmm, implementing activities or exercises in my life to assist in moving toward each goal would be exercising my freedom and my capabilities, never underestimating myself and always looking for the best in myself in others, I can't necessarily think of an actual "exercise" to accomplish this but I think it would boil down to individual actions, steps, and acknowledgements I would make along the way of accomplishing my goals, and never selling myself short of anything.
Relaxation Exercise "The Crime of the Century"
Wow... First and foremost I have never done anything like this in my life so I was a bit optimistic, however I went into this exercise with a positive can do attitude. I found a comfortable and quiet place. I fully participated in the exercise and throughout the exercise I let my thoughts just drift and embraced the feeling that was going on inside my mind and body, the only way that I can describe this "feeling" is sheer and utter peace within myself. I honestly do not have many opportunities if any, to simply embrace myself and center my thoughts and feelings, but this did it for me, I felt like I was able to let go of reality, let go of life and just embrace what I was feeling. I can definitely see myself doing this again.
I wish you all continued success throughout our journey in this course.
Michelle
Its a bit hard to believe we are already halfway through unit 3, the time is going by so fast it amazes me. This unit was quite interesting and the blog concept is equally as interesting to me, I say that because it's not to often that you are asked to rate yourself, to me it's a bit difficult but I can assure you I will give it my very best, and still stay honest. Overall I think I would rate my optimal well being at a 6, yes I'm sure many of you are thinking wow shes not giving herself enough credit, but in all reality I am acknowledging the fact that there is a great deal of room for change within myself and I know that deep down inside. On a physical level of wellness I know that I can make improvements in so many ways, I'm actually not sure where to even start but I think I would rate myself at a 6 for this area, my current method of staying "active" involves chasing after three growing kids, work, volunteering, and juggling life, oh, by the way this juggling always seems to be in fast forward mode, it's like somebody has their finger on the fast forward button at all times, yes I know that is not good, but it is simply how my life works at this given moment, at some point in the future I would really like to take on an actual physical activity that is dedicated to me. On a psychological level I am going to rate myself at a 7, I have a special way of keeping myself psychologically healthy and the system I have works for me, and because of this I am able to live a very happy life, I can't say that there is a proven "method for madness" however it works for me and my life, I am a deep thinker and a great problem solver, I have also vowed to myself not to let negativity weigh on my shoulders, so I have methods of dealing with that stress and finding useful ways to deal with it, my goal in this area is to continue to work on my problem solving and to share my methods with others who value seeing life in a different life, when the lens they are currently looking through is not as clear as they would like it to be. On a spiritual level I'm going to rate myself at a 7, I can't necessarily say that there is one are of my life that completes my overall spiritual well being, however I do truly believe that there are many aspects of my life that collaborate and create something very beautiful for me, I have a deep connection with my family and friends along with a strong connection to my religion, the one aspect of spirituality that I would like to improve for my future is identification and self worth, I would like to continue to gain a better appreciation for who I am, and what I am capable of, the result of this is being able to then share that positive experience with the world.
Hmmm, implementing activities or exercises in my life to assist in moving toward each goal would be exercising my freedom and my capabilities, never underestimating myself and always looking for the best in myself in others, I can't necessarily think of an actual "exercise" to accomplish this but I think it would boil down to individual actions, steps, and acknowledgements I would make along the way of accomplishing my goals, and never selling myself short of anything.
Relaxation Exercise "The Crime of the Century"
Wow... First and foremost I have never done anything like this in my life so I was a bit optimistic, however I went into this exercise with a positive can do attitude. I found a comfortable and quiet place. I fully participated in the exercise and throughout the exercise I let my thoughts just drift and embraced the feeling that was going on inside my mind and body, the only way that I can describe this "feeling" is sheer and utter peace within myself. I honestly do not have many opportunities if any, to simply embrace myself and center my thoughts and feelings, but this did it for me, I felt like I was able to let go of reality, let go of life and just embrace what I was feeling. I can definitely see myself doing this again.
I wish you all continued success throughout our journey in this course.
Michelle
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)