Unit Four: Loving-Kindness Reflections & 'Mental Workout'

First I would have to start by saying that I was a little skeptical. I think that it can be hard to find relaxation when listening to other people talk. After reading the practice I was intrigued and inspired to try it out. I think that just by reading and listening to the CD once, it would be hard to get anything meaningful out of it. However, after doing the reading and listening to the CD I am willing to give it a try. Dacher states that we have to put this practice into work and do it everyday a couple times a day in order to receive the full benefit and how right he is. When we begin an exercise routine we have to commit and workout everyday to get the full benefit and this applies to this practice as well. Since I do not have time to give this practice the time it deserves it is hard to say what the results will be. But after doing it just one time I can say that it is something that I would be willing to do everyday. Just thinking about those that I love and those that I hold close to my heart was enough to get the positive thoughts rolling and gave me a lift for the day. I would prefer to do the practice without the CD but that is because I prefer to read and then have the silence. I would recommend this practice to anybody. Personally I think that there is not one person that couldn't benefit from this practice. We all need to learn to love our selves and others better. Only good could come out of doing this practice.
Moving on...
According to Dacher, 2006, " It is a way of 'cross-training' our body, mind, and spirit all at the same time," (Integral Health, pg. 64). Mental Workout is a way to train our mind, to workout our mind just as we would our bodies. We have to work at being physically healthy by participating in different activities and this applies to our minds as well. The difference is that when we workout our mind we will get benefits throughout our entire body; physical, mental, and spiritual. There have been many studies done to show the benefits and to show the importance of a mental workout. According to Dacher, 2006, "Research studies and personal reports have also demonstrated that mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause anger, hatred, fear, worry confusion, and doubt, while enhancing positive emotions such as patience, loving-kindness, openness, acceptance, and happiness," (Integral Health, pg. 63).  It does not take a lot for us to put in a mental workout. We do not have to compare ourselves and our progress to those that are advanced because according to Dacher, we only need to complete an hour a day and it won't be long before we see results. An hour a day can seem like a lot to give when we are already so busy but if we can sit and watch TV for an hour; then we should be able to devote an hour to our well-being. My goal is to begin my own personal mental workout and I am going to start by doing the Loving-Kindness practice for 15 min. a day at least twice a day. It is not an hour but it is a start and it is a start in the right direction.

References: Dacher, 2006, Integral Health. Basic Health Publications, pages 63-64

Unit Three: Reflections and Goals

When I look at things in my life and try to rate where things are, I never seem to answer with complete honesty, I always under-rate where I am at. However, I am truly going to try and give an honest rating of where I am.
Physical- 7. I work out almost everyday and for the most part I eat healthy. I have lost 30 lbs. in the last year and although I would like to lose a few more pounds I am healthy.

spiritual- 5. I started going back to church last year off and on and now I am going every week and have started to take an active role in the church and in my life. I am a Christian and have started to really look at what that means for my life. I have just started on my journey and I have a way to go on my journey.

psychological- I am not sure where to rate myself. I tend to let things stress me out and I could make many improvements in this area. I would say I am lower on the scale.

Goals:
physical: Continue to work out everyday and begin to up the amount that I am working out. I would like to train to run a half marathon. I am hoping that next year I will be able to participate in one.

spiritual: Read the Bible everyday. I want to reach a deeper understanding of my faith and I would like for this to carry over into my life on a larger level, reaching every aspect of my life.

psychological: Stress Reduction! I have tried Yoga before and did enjoy it so it is something that I would not mind doing everyday.

Activities:

Physical: Running! I run a mile to two miles. I need to continue this and up the amount that I run.

Spiritual: Schedule time to read the Bible and to study my faith.

Psychological: Yoga or some other relaxation exercise.

I have enjoyed the relaxation techniques and the different activities that we have listened to. However, I do not think I would like doing this everyday. When I relax I like to have quiet or soft music. I would rather sit still and watch outside or go for a walk then to listen to the relaxation methods. I think these things are ok to do once in awhile but not everyday.

Taking a Moment to reflect

"We must be willing to refocus our energy, attention, and efforts on exploring the still uncharted frontier of the human mind and its healing capacities...the result will be the transformation of ordinary health into precious health", (Dacher, 2006, Integral Health). This comment struck me and seemed so relivant. How true it is that we have to put forth all of our energy, attention, and efforts into fully turning our health around. With out a full commitment we will not gain the full potential of whole health.

I was asked in the unit one discussion if I felt that reaching the kind of health Dacher talks about is possible for everyone or if it, is only possible for the select few. I was a little lost on how to answer that question. If I say no, then why would we even try to obtain this kind of health in the first place, if we know that we are going to fail right off the back? The answer lies within the journey. We may not reach the final destination or the final goal but the journey and the change that it brings makes it all worth while. Taking the leap or even a step in the right direction is better then standing still.

May this find all of you in good health and in happiness.
nicole

Getting Started on the Blog World!

Hey to everyone that will read this! It is new for me to have to do a blog and I am sure for many of us it will prove to be a new adventure. I am excited for what this class has to bring, it already appears to be interesting, who would have thought we would be doing a blog! Good luck!!!

nicole