Presentation

Well, I can't seem to figure out how to link my presentation to my blog. The presentation has been uploaded to Google Docs and ShareNet. I just can't get the link part right. Any suggestions out there?

Mental fitness Presentation

I hope this works. You should be able to link to my presentation through Google Docs. I'm a newbie at this so I may have to re-try.

Subtle Mind Practice

I have to confess, I have only practiced the Subtle Mind two times this week.  It is so ironic, but this has been an incredibly stressful week and the Subtle Mind practice would have been exactly what I needed to ground my thinking and place my worries in a more objective view.

My first attempt was a complete failure as I fell asleep almost immediately and missed the whole session.  My second attempt was much more successful.  I was careful to sit in a comfortable chair so that I could be more attentive to the session.  This will definitely help me ground myself and control my worry-wort mind.  What I really want to achieve is "a still mind and open heart that is free, at ease, and one with all existence" (God). (Dacher, 2006)

Although my week with the Subtle Mind has not been as successful as I had intended it to be, I will not stop as we move on to Unit 6.  I want to make this part of my lifestyle and welcome anyone who wants to help me be accountable to this goal.

Dacher, E. (2006) Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing.  Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Blessings,

Cheryl

Contemplative Practice - Mind Training

I really liked practicing the loving-kindness exercise and view it as a type of intercessory prayer.  There are a few awesome visionary experiences I experienced.  First, (please keep in mind this is from a Christion point of view) I felt it was extremely important for me to breath in the pain, hurt, etc.; and expell health, happiness, and wholeness by the Father’s hand, through the Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus.  The other great experience was and still is, is the progressing stage in giving myself loving-kindness.  This has been a huge contribution to a positive self esteem growth.  Breathing in the “bad” and breathing out the “good” reminded me of the movie “The Green Mile” with Tom Hanks.  One of the death-row prisoners was a gigantic guy that could heal by sucking in the illness and then breathing out the good health.  I visualize this while doing the loving-kindness practice.

This typeof meditation can seem pretty fictional to many people but the more people hear about its realities in holistic health the more common place it will become.  I would recommend this to others because I believe it to be essential to personal and community health.

                My goal was to practice the loving-kindness exercise twice daily as suggested.  Well, that has not happened but I am getting at least one practice in a day.  The other cool thing is that I have felt prompted to do the loving-kindness exercise for specific people at odd times.  One time I felt compelled to do the exercise( while riding my horse) for a friend I knew was going through some physical and emotional pain. 

                A “mental workout” is a tool to gain deeper states of inner awareness.  Research has shown that mental training can reduce negative emotions (anger, fear, hatred, worry, confusion, doubt, frustration) and increase positive emotions (patience, loving-kindness, openness, acceptance, happiness). (Dacher, 2006)  Read Galations 5:22-26 it says about the same thing.  A mind filled with positive emotions can resist mental illness and physical diseases, control stress, and promote health and well-being.  Contemplative practice is a means of developing a mental workout. (Dacher, 2006)  I find this to be true.  I takes a lot of deep concentration to remain on task and quite my mind while doing the loving-kindness practice.

Reference:

Dacher, E. (2006) Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing.  Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc

My Level of Holistic Wellness

I rate my physical well-being as a 7.  I generally exercise intensely every day for about 45 minutes.  My spiritual well-being is a 6.  From my perspective of spirituality, I would like to have deeper “God” time.  It seems lately I have been just skimming through my scripture readings and spiritual meditations.  For psychological well-being I will rate as a 6.  I am chronically stressed right now about money.  No job, unemployment is running out, and no car to look for jobs.  These are really bugging me.  However, I do see improvements coming in these areas and trust God to provide my needs.  I generally have a positive outlook on life.

                My goal for physical well-being is to be more consistent with my exercise program.  I want it to be a daily habit.  Spiritually I want to feel more grounded in my pursuit for a deeper spiritually growth.  I will do this by starting a bible study course I have here at home.  My psychological well-being goal is to incorporate guided meditations every day, express gratitude everyday, and to develop psychospiritual flourishing as outlined in Dacher (2006) on pages 66 – 77. 

                My goals mentioned above can be reached with time management.  All of these goals are better done in the morning.  However, when I start working this may not be possible.  I will plan to wake earlier, 6:00 a.m. to meditate and study scripture for one hour.  After my daughter has left for school, I will exercise for 45 minutes to an hour.  After a shower, I can work on my psychospiritual practices.  Guided meditations can also be pursued in the evening to set the stage for better sleep.

                The Crime of the Century is one of my favorite guided meditations.  It sets my mind in a positive groove.

Dacher, E. (2006) Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing.  Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc 

Reflecting on relaxation exercise

This is the second class I have had at Kaplan that I was given assignments to relax.  Doesn't it seem ironic that a homework assignment is to relax?  I really chuckle at the irony.

I had to listen to this exercise twice because I fell asleep the first time through.  My Labor Day weekend was fun but left me feeling tense.  For some reason I get very tense and stressed when I prepare to go out of town, even for a short trip.  We went camping and had a great time but I could still feel the tenseness in my jaw.  I was clenching my jaw which tightened the muscles in my neck.  Now that I have experienced the relaxation exercise (twice), my neck is more relaxed, however my jaw is still tensed.  Hmmm . . . maybe I need another nap!

It was intriguing to feel how heavy my arms felt during the exercise.  I had difficulty focusing on the exercise during part of the guided imagery.  I had to bring myself back on task about five times.  However, I did notice I was controlling my diaphragmatic breathing better than in earlier relaxation sessions.

God bless,
Cheryl