. Review the exercises and practice sessions you have completed in this course. (Loving Kindness, Subtle mind, Visualization, meditation etc.) Choose two practices that you have determined to be most beneficial. How can you implement these practices in your personal life to foster “mental fitness”? Provide specific examples.
The two best practices for me were the Subtle mind and meditation practices. They are both easy for me to choose as options for me. I have stated plenty of times before that my mind tends to wander and I have a million thoughts racing through my mind. The subtle mind technique helps me control my thoughts. I have not done it in the exact way of the Dacher text but I still use his principles. I find that when I have a random thought or a negative thought I will stop and really focus on controlling my mind. It has worked for me and I feel that my mind is less cluttered.
Meditation also falls into that same category. I use this more in calming my mind and helping to clear it as well. This is weird because I found out last term that prayer is a form of meditation. However, in the context of this class I have conformed a little. I take 20 minutes 4 times a week just to sit and relax no TV, no radio just me and my mind. Finally, I have learned that learning new things are not the only way to help me mind grow as I assumed in the past.
I agree, in that, I have a problem settling my mind down to not think and focus on the task at hand. My mind goes all the time. In fact, when my husband says he is not thinking about anything I often wonder how someone can just not think. I think it is good for us to use some time out at least once a day to regroup and clear the clutter out of our minds. Thanks for the interesting post.
ReplyDeleteDear Monroe,
ReplyDeleteI was glad to read that you were able to calm your mind with these practices. I too have a very busy mind and I was glad to learn that it was normal to hear this noise at first because we were finally listening. Then to be able to concentrate on breathing and nothing else and find a quietness was awesome! I also liked how you spoke about prayer. Thank you, The Nutritionista
I can totally relate to have a racing mind. It is so easy to just let random thoughts take over. I think it’s great that you have taken the principles of the exercise and made it work for you. Not everyone works in the same way and I think the whole point of integral health is to do what works for you and your needs. I think you made a powerful statement about not needing to learn new things to grow. The information we have within ourselves is so powerful and in a way we do learn from what we already know or what we thought we knew. Meditation brings new meanings to things at least in my opinion. I really enjoyed reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteMonroe, I love doing meditation, I haven't had time this past week because I just found out I have food allergies and I am just miserable. When I do get the chance, it is the most amazing feeling and until people have done it, they'll never understand the relief it gives you;stress, pain. I feel very powerful and great when I do meditate, and can say that Yoga is my favorite!
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