Saturday, March 30, 2013
Week 5 - The Subtle Mind
1. Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.
This week during the Subtle Mind practice, I was actually able to complete the entire practice without falling asleep! This is a big accomplishment from last week. I found that last week I was frustrated and not able to quite my mind enough to even concentrate on my breathing. Dacher (2006) simply explains that sometimes when the mind “just won’t settle, you will have to be satisfied with observing how agitated your mind, body, and life actually are” (p. 77). Instead of agitation, this week I found that my focus on breathing greatly improved; but, my mind continued to wonder about and I had to constantly let the thoughts, feelings, and images pass then revert back to my breathing focus. I did find myself thinking how much longer the exercise would be but was able to let the thought pass and return my concentration to my breathing. This wondering of the mind occurred every few seconds which tells me that I need a lot more practice. I must admit that I did feel more relaxed and able to concentrate after the exercise.
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.
There is a definite connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. If we look back to Dr. Pert’s statement of “The mind is the body, the body is the mind”, we are reminded that the mind and body are definitely interconnected. Dacher (2006) explains that “A mental event can lead to a physical event” (p. 17). I know that when I am stressed to the max…which seems to be quite often lately, my body lets me know it by developing headaches, cold sores and colds. As I am writing, I have a terrible cold and a huge cold sore...do you think my body is trying to tell me something?
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
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Tennille,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you that this particular exercise was more successful. The inclusionary nature of the practice was more natural for me and it allowed me to let thoughts flow through me. Depending on the time of day I exercised, my results were very different. Early morning - not good. Later in the morning and in the evening were perfect. I think when our minds wander we are programmed to feel it is a great rabbit chase. Call the hounds - the chase is on, and off we go!! I am thankful the breath calms the mind, since as Dacher reminds us, the breath is always with us. Are you encouraged to continue using these practices in your daily life to grow to that place of unity consciousness?
As for the cold/cold sore, I read a study that explained how the virus will seek out the weakest places looking for a place to attack once "defenses" are down. In effect, it will cause internal stress that we react to in an effort to cause the outbreak. When we can handle it least, we can always expect to have to deal with it.
I hope the practices continue to heal your mind and bring you peaceful calm :-)
Anita,
DeleteThanks for reading my blog!
I do plan to continue some type of meditative practice but not until after I am done with school which will be in October.
Thanks again!
Tennille
Tennille,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard at first to learn to let you mind settle. Some can do it immedately others might take years to learn. The biggest thing is that you found some insight and release from these exercises. Hopefully you will continue and be able to bring this into your quest for your own wellness.
Christina,
DeleteThanks for taking the time to read my blog!
I love how you called it a "quest for wellness"...you are correct! Sometimes it is a battle! I do plan on continuing some sort of meditative exercise once school is finished which will be in October. :)
Blessings,
Tennille
Hi Tennille,
ReplyDeleteI liked this week much better, I do better when someone is talking and I can sort of focus or visualize something, I do think that when we are stressed we get sick, hope you feel better.
Fran
Fran,
DeleteThanks for looking at my blog!
I am starting to feel better. Thank you for the well wishes!
Blessings,
Tennille
Hi Tennille,
ReplyDeleteI love your name by the way, very original! Congrats on getting through the whole thing! I had six minutes left when I just had to get up and go lol! I had a hard time focusing on breathing at times too but at other times I really did seem to reside in the stillness if only for a moment. At one point I even began to envision a canyon with rivers flowing through it, it was very pretty and so relaxing and I didn't even think any thoughts at the time, it was just cool being there! I could see how this could get very interesting with devoted practice. I love how you connected stress to your bodily reactions! Really great point! I hope you feel better =).
Heidi Waldman
Tennille,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to make it through this exercise lol! I've definitely found myself dozing off during these because of the length of them. Along with the length is the background noise and the monotone voice of the narrator that get me. It's nice to hear you found some success with this one though because I was able to as well. I loved that you used Dr. Pert's quote, "The mind is the body, the body is the mind," because it's so true!
- Alex Cordaro
Hi Tennille,
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see you are making progress through these exercises. I hope you can find more time to develop some inner exploration. I know I have seen some good results. Tell that stress to go away. :)
It's really interesting to see how each of us view these exercises and how some of us found the Loving Kindness exercise easier and other of us found the Subtle mind exercise easier. I guess that ultimately is the beauty of these exercises in that we all experience them differently.
ReplyDelete~ Cheryl
Tennille,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading through a couple of the classmate’s blog, it seems that this exercise was a lot more enjoyable for most, me included. I love that you used a quote from the reading about finding satisfaction the agitation of the mind and body. I for one have done this a couple of times throughout this class. I am also noticing that with ever week more of us are able to feel the effects of the exercise. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Marinda