UNIT 5 - The Subtle Mind Exercise

The Subtle Mind Exercise

       The Loving Kindness exercise and Subtle Mind exercise both focus on shifting our focus. Both incorporate releasing certain thoughts, feelings, and images in and out from the body. The Loving Kindness exercise however suggest we diminish the self centeredness while quieting/easing our mind for reflection. The Subtle Mind exercise wants us to direct our focus towards a still mind. It suggest we focus on our breathing for a more relaxed, still, and undisturbed experience. My experience with the Subtle Mind exercise was a little more beneficial than that of the Loving Kindness exercise. I was more relaxed, more focused, and more likely to connect. There were a few times that my mind wandered, but that was in the beginning and it was easy enough to come back to my focus. However, similar to our body needing physical training, our minds do so as well. The practice of centering myself, finding that focus, and observing my mind will all become beneficial overtime. I will say that I was not frustrated but more so at ease. I almost fall asleep, actually. It was a better overall experience than the last. 

       The evolution towards a progressively higher level of development, complexity, and capacity is a movement from mind to body to spirit. It is a path in which one level of development needs to be met before continuing on. By acquiring one level, you are then able to conquer a deeper level of development. By focusing on our outer exterior (body) we can then shift our focus mentally (mind) which then gives us the ability to gain a deep connection within ourselves, (spiritually). This connection is manifested in my personal life through my growth as an individual. It is displayed in my actions, my thoughts, my love for myself/others, and through the choices I make on a daily basis. 

"When you own your own breath, nobody can steal your peace." - Author Unknown

San Francisco, CA | The Golden Gate Bridge Experience

It was such a beautiful visit. Taking some time to walk the bridge and look 

beyond what is visible has to be one of the most mind enticing type of exposure ever. If you ever wanted to experience tranquility, take a trip to the water to reflect...

UNIT 4 - Loving-Kindness Exercise

Loving-Kindness Practice

        Personally, I believe this exercise was the most difficult of the ones we've done thus far. You know, we all have battles within ourselves that we need to overcome. We all love ourselves and those around us. However, sometimes I feel like I can do more and love myself on a deeper level. I feel as though this exercise was a little difficult to connect to because I have not fully learned to love all of me but lack some love in certain aspects pertaining to my whole being. Don't get me wrong, I love who I am and what I am becoming. There are just some things I need to get over, some decisions I need not to regret, and lessons I must remember to utilize. "We must love ourselves before expanding our love to others around us." It was also a little difficult in terms of finding that "zone" to enter. I guess I lacked focus. Although, I did find myself here and there entering in and out of peacefulness. When I did, my mind would wander or seem to be left blank. I only felt complete tranquility when the focus of the ocean waves were lingering on. I guess like anything, practice makes perfect and with time the loving-kindness will reveal itself. Hopefully, the experiences will become better as I practice this exercise throughout the next week. I also hope you all had a better first experience/connection. I would recommend this exercise. Any type of contemplative exercise that can work our minds can be a good source of relief, reflection, and/or relaxation, even if it isn't beneficial the first time around.

"Mental Workout"

       

       "The most meaningful aim of contemplative practice is not rest and relaxation but rather the progressive development of an expanded consciousness and its healing capacities."(Dacher) The concept of  mental workout includes the development of opening our minds and advancing our wisdom and loving-kindness towards a path of human flourishing. Much like a physical workout, we are doing so  but contemplatively and we must follow through for results. The results indicate the proven benefits being new growth, a calmer mind, unity consciousness (wisdom, peace, compassion, happiness & wholeness), and progression. I can implement mental workouts to foster psychological health by becoming in-tune with my own self. By becoming one with my own self, I can then give to others. Even allowing myself 5 minutes for a break a day for reflecting, meditating, or expressing emotions/feelings will build a path towards a better psychological health.

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into place." - Lucille Ball

UNIT 3 - Reflective Statement

The Crime of The Century

       After listening to the Audio Relaxation Exercise (which can be listened to by clicking the yellow italic writing), I have learned a new technique to relaxation that includes utilizing our imaginary skills. I was not frustrated nor was I really zoned in as I was the last time. However, I believe it had something to do with the noises going on around me. The one thing I should have done was silenced my phone. Although, I will admit that one phrase stood out and it included, "Symbolic thoughts of love"...It's not really so much doing the action physically but letting your body speak for you. This allows your thoughts to translate what you'd like into the universe by sending love thoughts to those you are thinking of. I actually loved this idea. What a way to connect or at least attempt to, if you believe in that! I really do enjoy these exercises and I truly believe one has to take time to be alone with no one around to experience the true relaxation that it was intended to place us in.

- I feel grounded...

- I feel centered...

- I choose to love...

- My life has a meaningful purpose...
- I feel balanced...
- I feel connected...

       

UNIT 3 - My Holistic Personal Inventory

Reflection

       

       I'm not sure when the last time was that I took to actually evaluate my overall level of wellness. What about you? Based on my reflection, on a scale of 1-10 (ten being optimal well-being), I would rate each aspect of my being differently.

       I would rate my physical well-being an 8. I think I'm standard in terms of keeping my body heathy and being active. However, I can delay or procrastinate and my overall body should be cherished and not put off. One short-term goal I would like to achieve for my physical well-being includes stretching and taking more time out of my day to take a walk or go for run. Not only will this allow me time to exercise my body but alone time to just free my mind. I always feel good after a great workout or a good heart to heart with myself (lol If that makes sense). 

       I would rate my spiritual well-being a 6. This is an area that I should really work on. For this specific aspect of my optimal health, I believe there are two goals I would like to create and achieve. The first being, meditation. I would like to try something new and possibly get in tune with my own sense of mind. What's better than finding inner peace, reducing stress levels, and restoring my calm? The second goal being giving back to the community. I would like to give and possibly maybe coach a soccer team for the nearest army post. I have had experience before but have not volunteered my time in awhile. I think that should be a goal of mine sometime in the near future.

       I would rate my psychological well-being a 7. I believe I have some sort of a length in terms of actually achieving the full range of my psychological well-being. It comes with self-acceptance, personal growth, being in tune with my own body, having environmental mastery, and acceptable personal relationships with others. Although I am not far from any of these things, I do wish to connect with long lost friends and family members. I would also like to make it a goal of mine to focus on me rather than placing everyone before me in specific areas of my life. 

It all comes with time, patience, determination, and willingness...

UNIT 2 - Reflective Statement:

Journey On Relaxation Exercise

      

       After listening to  the Audio Relaxation Exercise (which can be listened to by clicking the yellow italic writing), I have found another way to rest my body and place it at state of true relaxation. I was not apprehensive about listening and allowing myself to unwind as the man was stating in the audio. I usually fall asleep to the sounds of ocean waves, rainfalls, or rain/rainstorms as it is. The soothingly tone and calmness of the man's voice gave me a sense of tranquility. Even though what he was saying was of true importance, I found myself locked into the background noise. The music behind his words sounded similar to that of a lullaby. It was very comforting to just relax without any expectations, but just me, myself, and I in a pleasant resting position. What else is better than an individual who isn't demanding anything of you but merely wants you to kick off your shoes, relax, and free your mind of  any disturbance. What a great way to de-stress and slow down from our busy lives. I might just have to take another listen.

"Give your stress wings and let it fly away." - Terry Guillemets

UNIT 2 - H e l l o, H e l l o & W e l c o m e!

      
       Hi and welcome to my blog. My name is Felicia, as you have most likely realized by now. Since we are experiencing a course of human wellness and focusing on optimal human health of the mind, body, and spirit, I thought I would start off with some pictures(collage style) I had taken during my eye opening experience in Seattle. I thought I would just take a day for myself to catch up with life, slow down my fast paced energy, and solely explore. I recently took a trip downtown to Seattle for an Argosy cruise to explore the surroundings and later visit the well-known Space Needle. While doing so,  I took some very beautiful pictures of the scenery. Hopefully you will find them just as beautiful as I did. Well, I am very excited to share my perspective (hence my URL) with you within the next few weeks and maybe even beyond that. Enjoy!