Your mental fitness practice this week incorporates the concept of the subtle mind (Dacher p.75). This week, replace the Loving Kindness exercise of unit four with Practice 2: The subtle mind exercise and listen to track #3 on the Dacher CD.
1. Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.
In the loving kindness exercise (#1) the focus of the meditation was on the physical body... getting yourself calm down physically in order to experience the mental aspects of the meditation. In exercise two, the focus is more on training the mind to develop the ability to experience the more subtle levels of the mind. This is where we experience healing. I can't say specifically that I experienced any major frustration with the exercise other than my eldest son coming into the room and violently bringing me "back to reality."
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.
We are by our nature a spiritual being - the problem is that we don't normally spend time getting into contact or reconnecting with that spiritual aspect of us. As a result, that part of us is usually neglected - that is until we become ill or under seige from illness or stress related disorders. By getting in touch with our inner selves that spiritiual part of us, we begin to learn to unlease the hidden powers that we all possess.
For myself, I do a short period of daily contemplative prayer and meditation that helps to create that connection between my spiritual wellness and my physical and mental wellness. On those days when I decide that I "don't have enough time" I find myself more flustered, more stressed out and a more difficult person to get along with. As a result, I'm learning to NOT miss any time. It's sort of like waking up in the morning and saying "good morning" to yourself!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hello Carol,
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you about the first exercise focus was on the physical body and getting calm to experience the mental aspects of the meditation and that exercise two focus is more on training the mind to develop its ability to experience the more subtle levels. I too believe that is where we experience healing. It is so funny about your eldest son going into the room and violently bringing you "back to reality." Ha…Ha… They are definitely a blessing from the Lord. Glad to know they are still home with you.
I do agree with you that we are definitely by our nature a spiritual being. I believe that the knowledge must be given for others to realize the importance of getting into contact or reconnecting with their spiritual aspect. Knowledge is power. No knowledge, no power and that results in that area being neglected That is true to that it is only until people become ill or have stress related disorders, they tend to find their spiritual aspect.
I do a short period of daily contemplative prayer and meditation too. I also use it with my clients and that helps them to become contributing citizens of earth. I am glad you have learned not to miss any of your contemplative and prayer time. Your post is very informative and enlightening. Thank you.