Loving Kindness, and the Subtle Mind

This course has been very interesting and some of the practices are indeed beneficial in helping to look inward to motivation, and experience. Its like cleaning out cobwebs in the Attic and and finding all kinds of treasures , and trash. I have been meditating for many years, but visualization is a technique that I seldom use. This class has brought the practice back to mind and expanded on it, to where I enjoy and look forward to it at night before I go to bed. I find it helps, in accounting for emotions and behaviors; the day has been examined, becomes accounted for and is balanced. If necessary it gives me a things to do list for the next day, building and repairing. Sharon

Unit Seven Almost There

Well it is hard to believe that this long week has come to an end and my wonderful man is still with me. His heart attack was a small one compared to a year and a half ago. He now has 2 new stents and hopefully a renewed outlook, I know for me I feel I can breath easier again. Thank you all for your prayers and kind words they meant alot to me.

Well as for the practice Meeting Asciepius, it is a lengthy one and very visual. I have not mastered this one yet although imagery is helpful. I have not been able to keep my focus these past few days as way to much has gone on and my time has been spent elsewhere, mostly in the hospital and caring for him here at home. The statement" One can not lead another where one has not gone himself" is mostly true. Health care providers need to work on their own spiritual growth and integral health. Trying to teach practices of this nature without any training, or experience would be rather difficult and the client would not receive the benefit of being able to discuss or even receive the benefits of knowing how it has helped you. It is like the question on the DB several weeks ago. How important is it for a health practitioner to practice what they preach. I believe we all felt it was pretty important to establish ourselves as being trustworthy, and truthful when dealing with individuals health. Integrity comes to mind, I want to know that the person caring for me believes in the practices and treatments they are prescribing. Sharon

Golden Rule/Loving Kindness

That there is a God who is the origin of everything:
that there is an element of his divine origin in every person,
which he can diminish or increase through his way of living;
that in order for someone to increase this source he must suppress
his passions and increase the love within himself;
the only practical means of achieving this consists in doing
to others as you would wish to do to you ( Tolstoy, 1879)

Meditation and Assessment

The universal Loving Kindness practice is very powerful and uplifting. Shifting my focus to others for ten minutes is different but very enjoyable. When I feel in need I pray, I pray in gratitude for my life and for all the blessings I have received in my life. Passing the caring on to others is like completing the circle. Reaching out in loving kindness to others helps to expand my focus from self to being part of a larger picture. Meditation and prayer brings me closer to God, This practice will bring me closer to people.

The assessment part of our studies brings to mind the areas that I need to focus on for improvement, difficulties and suffering. My mind is not completely at ease at this time because my wonderful partner is not doing well. He had a heart attack and is diabetic, even though he watches his diet and exercises his diabetes has progressed and is at a critical point. I find the thoughts of loosing him is more than I can bear , in a way I can say I feel my soul is suffering, I am mourning a loss that has not taken place yet.

I find meditation helps, prayer helps but my focus has been turned inwards. The six principles in the assessment help to identify the areas I need putting my attention to. I believe the area of my distress is short term on one hand and long term on the other. I have for many years felt grounded and centered, I am a happy person and love life, It is in the letting go that I have my biggest problem even though I believe I will be reunited , it is being alone without him that I dread. Sharon

Mental Fitness Practice

The Subtle Mind practice this week I found easier and more relaxing than the Loving Kindness Practice. Concentrating on the breath rather than picturing someone and examining feelings and thoughts and images, I found the Subtle Mind practice to be much easier. Concentrating on the breath, the rise and fall, the inhalation and exhalation is almost like self hypnosis, it allows you to bring yourself back into focus as the mind tries to wander. The Loving kindness practice is to busy for me to be able to still the mind, to many instructions, to many distractions. I do meditation breathing exercises, and do them also as I walk. I began meditation techniques when I was a young girl living in the Middle East. I truly believe it is what has kept me at peace with life and those around me and with those I have not yet met. Life is a gift, share the gift of love and compassion to those you encounter on your journey. In the west it is believed that consciousness is an effect of which the body (brain) is the cause. In Eastern thought the body and mind mutually condition one another. In Buddhist practice the consciousness is what is primary, and the world as we perceive it is the product of our evolving consciousness. Sharon

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I love laughter and humor, no matter what the situation your in finding humor always seems to put life back to focus. My granddaughter Amanda is 8 years old and she has what I call an infectious laughter, no matter what you are doing if she begins to laugh you stop and take notice and you will start to laugh. This happens even in the supermarket, when she giggles and laughs strangers passing her by will laugh also. She loves to tell jokes and she sends them through text message to me, the joke of the week according to Amanda. This week she sent: Nana this is so so silly! 2 goldfish where in a tank, one goldfish turned to the other and said...do you know how to drive this thing? I always look forward to her joke of the week, they always make me smile. Sharon

It was with sadness that my homeland (Chile) was devastated by an earthquake this week. When I was a young girl I remember experiencing several earthquakes. The one I remember most was when our living room separated from the entrance way and the patio cracked open. Prior to an earthquake our dogs always lost their appetite and howled . Insects always appeared in the house including large spiders. I think I took this all for granted because I don't remember any fear. Fortunately for my family and friends they have all survived, but my prayers go out to Concepcion and all those that lost their lives, and are left homeless and injured. Sharon

The concept of a mental workout is not rest and relaxation but rather the progressive development of an expanded consciousness and its healing capacities. In the beginning contemplative practice requires effort. The effort is in setting time aside, fitting yourself into a schedule, a daily schedule, where you can meditate and explore inward. Relaxation exercise or meditation takes perseverance and discipline. You need a quiet place. The biggest problem people find in doing these practices is doing them daily. However the benefits are proven to be many. Practice is essential ; the reward is integral health, happiness and wholeness into your life (Dacher, 2008). Life is fragile and way to short, happiness is key to a successful life, and having enough happiness to be able to sustain yourself through the bumps and hurdles in life. Being happy and finding happiness in every minute and moment of your life. Giving happiness to those you meet, the ones you love, and happiness to the stranger you meet, and don't forget Gods' creatures they need happiness also. Too often we make life all about ourselves, when its really all about the others we come in contact with whether for a minute or a lifetime. My thoughts, my view...Sharon

The relaxation CD narrated by Dasher and other I found interesting and relaxing at the same time. The sound of the flute and the ocean waves nearly put me to sleep. I listened to the exercise 3 times on different days to be able to understand exactly what it entailed. I definitely enjoyed the instructions and feel in time I can reach each of the stages. Finding the time daily as this is a long exercise would pose a problem for me. I believe I would recommend this to others , but only after they read Integral Health. Sharon