Thee Subtle Mind exercise was much more helpful to me than the loving-kindness exercise from last week. I feel that this type of exercise is perfect to get started on before you move onto anything else. This is because it teaches you to learn how to quiet your mind. This was one of the major problems I had with the previous exercise. I was constantly being distracted by mental chatter and wondering thoughts. The subtle mind practice explains how we can get past that "noise" and begin to dwell in the calmness that lies between the random thoughts.
I did still have difficulty letting my thoughts fade away, but I now know that this is the practice I need in my life right now. I feel that I need to master the Witnessing Mind and begin to experience the mind of Calm-Abiding before I can successfully complete another practice. I suppose this is the dynamic nature of mind-body training and integral health. What works for one person may not work for another. Also, what is good for you today may change tomorrow. We need to be able to recognize what we need and follow the path without preconceptions.
The connection between spiritual, mental, and physical wellness is so great that I cannot differentiate the three. Physical activity has been shown to reduce stress levels, which builds mental wellness. Spiritual wellness can keep your life feeling fulfilled and free of depression. This, in turn, can promote the innate healing power of the body and mind. They all go hand in hand and I believe building on one can only strengthen the other. Although it is still very important not to neglect one in favor of the other.
Danny
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Loving-Kindness
This week I practiced the loving-kindness exercise. It involves taking the pain and suffering from yourself, your loved ones, and all living things and replacing it with the love and good intentions of your heart. The exercise is meant to diminish self-centeredness.
This exercise taught me that I have more difficulty focusing than I even previously thought. I constantly experienced mental chatter and even anxiety during the first few minutes of the exercise. I notice I have trouble being in silence and noticed my jaw clenching slightly. I feel like this may be because I am too worried about my responsibilities in general and of the coming day.
I realize that this can be a very important exercise, but feel I should continue to focus on training my mind to relax until I am able to sit in silence comfortably and just relax.
"Mental Workout" seems to be simply practices that are designed to strengthen mental functions such as attention and memory. They can be very useful in my case. Like all things in life, you get good at them through practice. The experience I had with this weeks exercise was most likely normal for a first-timer. More training and "mental workout" is certainly needed in my case. I will continue to practice these exercises gradually. I think it is important to ease into them. If you can only remain focused for three minutes one day, maybe you will for five the next.
This exercise taught me that I have more difficulty focusing than I even previously thought. I constantly experienced mental chatter and even anxiety during the first few minutes of the exercise. I notice I have trouble being in silence and noticed my jaw clenching slightly. I feel like this may be because I am too worried about my responsibilities in general and of the coming day.
I realize that this can be a very important exercise, but feel I should continue to focus on training my mind to relax until I am able to sit in silence comfortably and just relax.
"Mental Workout" seems to be simply practices that are designed to strengthen mental functions such as attention and memory. They can be very useful in my case. Like all things in life, you get good at them through practice. The experience I had with this weeks exercise was most likely normal for a first-timer. More training and "mental workout" is certainly needed in my case. I will continue to practice these exercises gradually. I think it is important to ease into them. If you can only remain focused for three minutes one day, maybe you will for five the next.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Rainbow Relaxation Exercise
http://www.kushs.net/kaplan/HW420/TheCrimeOfTheCentury.mp3
This relaxation exercise was not my favorite that I have done. It started off great. I think basic breathing exercises are excellent to begin relaxing. Simply being aware of our breath and attempting to lengthen each inhale and exhale effortlessly brings our heart rate down and allows us to focus on breathing and nothing else. It is important to clear the mind as much as possible and not focus too hard on mental chatter. I wasn't crazy about the rainbow and prism technique. This may be because it was the first time completing it, but it kind of felt like concentrating on instructions instead of effortless relaxation. However, if you find a relaxation exercise that works, you should probably stick with it until you are ready to move on to more "advanced" relazation exercises. Just like anything else, relaxation needs to be practiced. It is not a switch we can flip at will.
Danny
This relaxation exercise was not my favorite that I have done. It started off great. I think basic breathing exercises are excellent to begin relaxing. Simply being aware of our breath and attempting to lengthen each inhale and exhale effortlessly brings our heart rate down and allows us to focus on breathing and nothing else. It is important to clear the mind as much as possible and not focus too hard on mental chatter. I wasn't crazy about the rainbow and prism technique. This may be because it was the first time completing it, but it kind of felt like concentrating on instructions instead of effortless relaxation. However, if you find a relaxation exercise that works, you should probably stick with it until you are ready to move on to more "advanced" relazation exercises. Just like anything else, relaxation needs to be practiced. It is not a switch we can flip at will.
Danny
I would rate my physical well being a 7 on a 1 to 10 scale. I have periods of time where my fitness level goes way up as I am exericising quite regularly and eating healthy. I also have times where I slack off on both areas and it takes awhile to get back in the routine. I am fortunate, however, that I am completely healthy with great blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and no chronic illness. My mental health can be rated as 5. I have quite a bit of mental chatter and often have trouble sleeping at night. Spritual wellness can probably be rated at about 3. This is certainly the area I need to work on most and believe that when this number goes up the others will naturally.
My goal for physical well being is to develop an exercise routine that can be accomplished when I do not have time to get out and do my usual activities including, swimming, mountain bike riding, and hiking. My mental health goal is to end each day with a relaxation exercise to unwind before I go to sleep. I think that clearing your mind at the end of the day is extremely important to get a restful sleep. This is my first goal as we cannot acheive good mental health without first being well rested. I will continue to try and be patient with others and with life in general. I want to live my life knowing that you get what you give and realize all humans are connected to each other and treat everybody with repsect no matter what.
My goal for physical well being is to develop an exercise routine that can be accomplished when I do not have time to get out and do my usual activities including, swimming, mountain bike riding, and hiking. My mental health goal is to end each day with a relaxation exercise to unwind before I go to sleep. I think that clearing your mind at the end of the day is extremely important to get a restful sleep. This is my first goal as we cannot acheive good mental health without first being well rested. I will continue to try and be patient with others and with life in general. I want to live my life knowing that you get what you give and realize all humans are connected to each other and treat everybody with repsect no matter what.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Journey on Relaxation
The Journey on Relaxation exercise was very similar to methods I have used before. I always feel better when I am done with them and should probably do it more often. I often find myself lying awake in bed wondering why I cannot sleep. Exercises like this can dramatically improve your sleep by allowing you to relax before bed.
I quickly noticed that I have trouble "quieting my mind". Even during these exercises my mind is racing. It actually sounds like there is an inexplicable noise that I cannot calm. I figure it is my own inner thoughts resisitng the meditation. It certainly takes training of the mind.
I quickly noticed that I have trouble "quieting my mind". Even during these exercises my mind is racing. It actually sounds like there is an inexplicable noise that I cannot calm. I figure it is my own inner thoughts resisitng the meditation. It certainly takes training of the mind.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Inaugural Post
Inaugural post on Cyclical Wellness. I'd be happy to talk about health and wellness, natural healing, chiropractic, the law of attraction, ancient aliens.....etc...! Pretty much wide open. I love action sports, motocross, and street bikes too! Remember, your approach to wellness needs to include all aspects of life...holistic and cyclical of course
Danny J
Danny J
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