"Mental Fitness"
After reviewing the exercises and practice sessions, I would have to say that the Loving-Kindness exercise and the Subtle Mind exercise would become most beneficial for myself. I am a very fast-paced individual. Both exercises thus far have magnified this for me. Even though I had difficulty with the Loving-Kindness exercise the first time around, it did become beneficial as time went on and it did bring me relaxation/reflection. The Loving-Kindness exercise will help me strengthen my love and help in forgiving some of my own mistakes. The Subtle Mind exercise will help me to slow down, live in the present, and learn to reflect the correct way. I also believe will both help me sort out the unbelievably amount of thoughts I have day in and day out. To foster mental health using the Loving-Kindness exercise, I can practice meditation, reading positive quotes in the morning, and/or simply taking a few minutes at the end or beginning or my day to reflect without any present distractions. To foster mental fitness using the Subtle Mind exercise, I can take up yoga and focus on my breathing when exercising. Practicing breathing can serve as a mental workout itself. I think most importantly, I should really learn to see the positive in everything/everyone! Hopefully that will help in the loving-kindness area as well. What two did you choose?
"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)
Hi Felicia,
ReplyDeleteReading your blog post this week was almost like reading a reflection of my own, I feel the same about the exercises as you do and I too have an ever-roving mind and I never sit/stand still. It is very hard for me to focus on relaxation, but I felt that the Subtle Mind Practice did the trick and I was able to step back per se, and breathe. I too am already practicing yoga on occasion, but not nearly as much as I'd like to, this will be something I'll try to change in the next weeks. I also liked the Journey-on practice in unit two, although it took me several tries to get to a calm state. I believe that my meditations, as well as the conscious mental and physical slowing down, will enhance my patience for myself and in turn others, improving my loving kindness and compassion.
Hello, I liked the subtle mind practice as well, I found that meditation is what you make of it, it is an experience that will have you feeling really good. It such a difference from feeling uptight and not relaxed. I really need this in my life, I work and go to school and have kids, which like most is not leaving much alone time to your self!! I gained a lot out of this class and will use it in the future.
ReplyDeleteI also chose Loving-Kindness Meditation to be beneficial for me and my profession which is Health and Wellness. Keeping stress at bay and staying focus will help treat and diagnose patients. I definitely can quote positive saying everyday to stay in a positive stay of mind. Great Post !!!! :<)
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