Unit 8: Looking back

After reviewing some of the awesome practice sessions we’ve completed in this course, it is very difficult to not discuss all of them as favorites! However, I fell as if I took a lot away from the loving-kindness exercise. Early on in the class I was inexperienced with these types of exercises now overtime I realize that loving-kindness is the exercise I have continued and will continued to practice now and into the future. I was able to relax and really feel full of joy after this exercise. The second exercise was the subtle mind exercise. This really allowed controlling my mind and where it would wonder. I have never felt in control like I did during this exercise while remaining calm. I feel that since I had been practicing other exercises before exploring into this one my mind was already on the beginning stages of being trained.

I have truly implemented both of these exercises into my daily routine. I like to complete these at the end of my busy days to relax and release all that I have endured for the day. These exercises allow me to realize mistakes are OK, and a smile could brighten someone else’s day. Simple things in life go the farthest and I think I am beginning to realize that the more I let some of this “heavy” stress go.

Unit 7: Meeting Aesclepius

As always I really enjoyed the exercise this week, Meeting Aesclepius. However, this week I found myself very distracted and unable to focus and meditate the way I hoped that I would. I am unable to keep my mind in one constant thought or idea because I have so much going on in my life. I am hoping to rediscover the meditation I feel that I was working toward and I hope to be able to achieve this exercise next week sometime after I clear my head from these unneeded worries and thoughts. I believe once I am back on track in order to foster these practices you must think of them as a normal part of your life, like a daily routine.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" is pretty much spelled out to me. You cannot expect someone or tell someone how to do something if you have never done it. In respect to health and wellness this means that each person may have a different approach on how they would like to accomplish their goals. As a health care professional we must understand that everyone is different and we cannot begin to tell people how to achieve goals that we never have. I feel as health care professionals we do have an obligation to better ourselves because how can we give any advice or guidance on an act we are not working to achieve. It’s kind of a huge contradiction in my opinion. Working on a goal day by day will allow that goal to become a daily part of your routine and will not feel like such a task anymore, but more like something you cannot wait to do, the highlight of your day!

Thanks!

Unit 6: Discovering Me

The exercises this week were similar to the other audio exercises that we've completed. However, this week with the assessment I learned that I may not have a grasp on my life exactly like I thought I did. There are many areas within myself that I would like to change, change for the great good. I began to focus on my Husband, and my family and most importantly my children. I thought about how focusing on these "empty" parts of me could improve my relationships as well as teach others I care for how to live happily and freely. I cannot begin to judge others or view others in some sort of light because I am unable to fill those areas myself. I would like to become whole, so that I can help others find their peace as well. Meditating and continuing these exercises and activities will allow me to make more of these realizations and work to improve them. Without looking at myself from the inside out I would have never realized this.

Amanda

Unit 5: Subtle Mind

The loving kindness exercise and the subtle mind exercise were both very relaxing and I was really able to feel at ease while listening to both. However, the loving kindness exercise really seemed to focus directly on what it is that makes us feel loved and happy and how we can channel those feelings into others we love and even others that we do not know. The subtle mind exercise focused more on clearing those thoughts out and easing the mind while remaining in control. I really enjoyed both either way, and felt that I got valuable lessons from each.

Spiritual, mental and physical wellness all have their own backgrounds and provide different wellness for people but they are very similar and all help the mind, body and soul function better. Whenever I exercise or go to yoga I always feel more awake, more focused and overall just in better health. It is amazing to me how all three of these works together for such amazing results.