In this week's work on increasing my psychospiritual health, the exercise to practice were a Loving Kindness and Subtle mind practice. At first I thought that the practice was going to be a challenge because I did not like the author's (Dacher) voice. Luckily though once Dacher explained what we were going to be doing a pleasant woman's voice came on and was easy to follow. I felt during the Loving Kindness exercise that a lot of love felt like pressure to me and I had to breath very deep. I liked the Subtle mind practice a little better than the Loving Kindness activity but found the long ocean sounding pauses to be a bit too long for me and that I was anticipating when the woman's voice was going to come back on. During the Subtle mind activity I felt a sense of lightness throughout and though my mind wandered (not a lot) I could easily come back to my instructions. I think on a day to day basis I would not mind doing the Subtle mind exercise and occasionally doing the Loving Kindness one. I very much like the concept of the Loving Kindness but would do it a little differently for my own personal liking. I definitely plan on trying these exercises again when I haven't worked a 12 hour shift!
A mental workout is the same as a physical workout but of course we are using our mind/conscious. Just as it is important to move our bodies the same holds true for other aspects of our being to have the holistic centered wellness. If we want to be good at something we must practice and if we want to be good at creating a healthy mind and spirit then a daily practice with mind centered activities is necessary to facilitate that! Ya just gotta keep trying until it becomes a habit and the mind gets trained!
As always I wish everyone greatness and during this holiday season remember to breath and enjoy the simple beauty of life!
Hi Nychelle,
ReplyDeleteI too was relieved when the woman's voice was the one going to talk us through our Loving Kindness exercise, she was more calming then Dr. Dacher. Although I think he is a brilliant author and promoter of Integral Health.
The exercise in general was, for me beautiful, difficult at times also, but beautiful. The thought of being able to breathe in the suffering of a loved one or anyone is really wonderful and I want to work on that everyday. I have to work on the first part of the exercise where I take the love I have for my child and turn it back towards myself. It's harder for me to think about myself than to think of others. I have been helping people for so long that I'm not sure what to do with myself when I'm not.
Exercise and relaxation and training our minds is like anything else, it is going to take time and practice. Nothing worth doing or having is easy.
Be well and try and use different relaxation, mind training tapes until you fine just the right one.
Sandy