Meeting Asclepius

This week has been rather challenging with the kids out of school, family coming into town, school, and work so this exercise couldn't have come at a better time. Our assignment this week was to "Meeting Asclepius". Sitting silently and listening I began to feel at peace and tranquil. I felt a power of energy and all my tension was released. When I was done I felt a since of clarity the things that were bothering seemed not so big. This exercise helped me to be more mindful with the quality of my thoughts. It helped me to be positive and push out the negative thoughts. It would be nice to have a mentor to call on to help me with all my questions and to help guide me down the right path.

The saying "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" this is a great saying. I agree that if someone is a professional and is giving advice on optimal wellness then they should have achieved this in their life. You have to lead by example to gain respect from your peers, clients, and patients. As a professional you have an obligation to your clients to set a positive example of health, psychologically, physical, and spiritually. They look up to you for guidance and answers. You have to live by what you teach. For me to have more growth I need to get rid of the old and in with the new.

Loving Kindness Meditation

When I did the loving kindness meditation I sat outside comfortably with my eyes closed until I was relaxed. Then I started to recite the following
- May all individuals gain freedom from suffering
-May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness
-May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering
-May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness

After a couple of times of reciting this I started to feel empowered, and connected with myself. This exercise was easy for me because I always think of other first and put them before my needs. It was easy to picture my loved one and wanting only the best for them. With that being said I have begun to realize that I have to also address my needs. If I am not healthy and in good spirits then I cannot begin to help other to my best abilities.

When doing the Integral assessment I focused on my life and what are my day to day struggles and difficulties. I excel when it comes to fitness and nutrition, but I really struggle with interpersonal. I have a hard time with relationships whether that be at work or romantic or friends. I am not a good communicator and I tend to put up walls. I am working on this everyday and sometimes I think I am making progress and then I take 10 steps back. I tend to let my thoughts consume me and think the worst without even talking it out. This is not healthy and it can start to wear on me and cause un-needed stress. Usually I will go run and it clears my thought into logical thinking but at times that is not convenient. So I start to breathing techniques and calm my thoughts. I am a work in progress.

Loving Kindness and Subtle Mind

Loving kindness and the subtle mind can both be practiced anywhere. They are both done to provide peace and calmness to the mind and body. I found the loving kindness exercise to be easier to do than the subtle mind exercise. I tried to do the subtle exercise at night and I could not relax and clear my mind. My night time ritual is chaos, from chasing kids to the bath, dinner, homework, and I usually do a late night running session so I am wound up. I think I will try it again in the morning when everyone is asleep. The spiritual wellness is what brings us awareness to our inner well being, once we have reached the state of calmness then you can move on to mental wellness. Mental wellness is being confident to control your emotions and focus. Once that is reached you can reach physical wellness which includes a healthy mind, body, and spirit. I know at some point I use these in my daily activity but my mental wellness I am still working on improving.


Thanks,
Kisha

Journey to Love-Kindness

The loving kindness technique was different at first and took me a minute to actually get into it. It did help me to think about someone I love. My thoughts started to slow down and I felt a since of peace. I think this technique would be good for everyone to at least try it once.

The concept of mental workout implies exercising the mind or working the mind to be healthy. Mental workouts means to utilize contemplative practices to help calm the minds constant mental activities and train it to along with opening one's heart, expanding consciousness, and progressing towards psychospiritual flourishing, Through the contemplative practice of loving-kindness an individual will be able to open their hearts to others and slowly reduce their selfishness. So then they can grow towards the development of psychospiritual flourishing. Research indicates the proven benefits of mental workout results in awareness and experiences of the mind and its many levels and capacities in healing and the development of the qualities of human flourishing which are health, happiness, and wholeness. For me to implement mental workouts I would have to devote an hour a day towards incorporating he contemplative practices of loving-kindness. This would benefit me because I have a hard time letting people get close. By doing this I would feel calm and at peace with myself and would be able to benefit from happiness, good health, and wholeness.


Kisha

The Journey on Relaxation

The journey on relaxation was much needed this week. I had a hectic week from kids, my clients and school. You never realize how much you need time for self until you actually sit down and do it. The rewards can be limitless. Once I began to breath slower I could tell my whole body relaxed and the tension was leaving through my finger tips. My thoughts began clear and not all jumbled. My shoulders and arms felt relaxed and the tension was gone. I felt a surge of energy through my body. With 2 small kids and all their activities and my activities it is hard sometimes to slow down and get that much needed quiet time.

thanks

Kisha