I'm kind of having a rough day so I would like to say take these practices and shove them, BUT I know that is not what is best for my integral health. I'm having a hard time wondering why I care about changing when others in my life don't seem to be making an effort for me. Why is it that I should change to be more like them, while they just sit there and wait for that to happen? I am not them, and regardless of how I try to fake it, I'm never going to be. Shouldn't there be compromises made by both parties? I know in my head the reason I expect this to happen is because I have been studying mental behavior changes for months, and they have know idea what it is. I guess it's not fair for me to be upset when I myself didn't think there was a way to change until recently, but my heart just doesn't seem to understand.
The two practices that I have most enjoyed, and found beneficial are the subtle mind practice and meditation. I like the subtle mind exercise because it gives you a focal point to concentrate on, such as breathing to help reduce distractions. It also tells you to acknowledge the distractions and then let them go. One thing that I find funny about my mind is that if I am ready a really good book or watching a great movie I think a bomb could go off next to me and I would realize, but when I am trying to do homework or truly focus on something every little noise draws my attention. I also like guided meditation. I don't do very well with visualization, but when it comes to focusing on someone that is important to me, I have no problems. I think these are my favorites because they have a lot to do with personal wellness. My main point of concentration right now is thinking more of myself. After I have mastered myself, I will practice the loving kindness exercises, and worry about helping others, and how I feel towards them. The areas that I am going to use for growth are stopping to think before acting. I think a great way to do this is to count to ten to allow the mind time to process what is going on. If we snap before we think, we are no where near unity consciousness. I am also going to practice deep breathing and meditation exercises in the car on my way to and from work. I think this will allow me to prepare for my day, and unwind on the way home.
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the subtle mind and meditation practices have been helpful for you. I think you are smart to realize you have to concentrate on you before you can concentrate on others. I have been focusing on myself and my own healing for quite some time now and I think once you start to heal you feel ready to move on to being open to others. As we learned in this class ...we have to love ourselves first before we can open our hearts and really love others. Thanks for sharing so much on your blog. I have enjoyed reading it. Do you plan to continue blogging once the class is over?
Hi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this, for sure. It is hard when you have figured out a way to be happier and more at peace with life and those around you refuse to grow. You as a person are growing and you want those around you to grow as well so you can all grow together, but instead they are not growing and in turn almost pulling you behind with them. Great post! Keep it up though, I think you will find a way to get passed all this. --Jenn
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ReplyDeleteHi Dawn,
ReplyDeleteThanks for expressing yourself so honestly! Anytime we grow, we can see the failings of those around us, and I think it oftentimes is because we just don't want to have to grow alone. Part of what makes it special is that it is our personal relationship with ourselves that is being nurtured, and no one can follow us into the depths of our own minds. We can share our experiences together, though, and it is up to us to stay in touch with those people who can relate.
Your family will learn through your example, and you will affect them in the long run, even if they don't realize it. So, you succeed all the way around!
Best wishes!
Dawn, First off I want to say Don't ever change for someone else, only change for yourself Because I have found that most of the time people try to change it is still never good enough for others. I think this course has been wonderful for us to actually connect with ourselves. Focus on the positives in our lives and it has made me be thankful for what I do have instead of what I don't. In order to have human flourishing we must find our inner peace, find that comfort. If we have happiness, wholeness and health we can achieve a lasting holistic health.
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn
ReplyDeleteI am glad you had at least 2 that worked for you. I was not a big fan myself of the exercises and it is mostly because I resisted the idea. However, I did like the loving-kindness but that was all I could relate to. Hopefully, in the future it will be different. I only have one more term to go after this and reality sets in....the task of finding a job. I can guarantee that it would be stressful so these exercises might come handy!