1). When I did the loving kindness exercise I had a hard time with the calming part. I also had a bit a trouble actually feeling what the instructions were telling to me to do. I could think of taking on the pain of a loved one or releasing anxiety etc. but i really could not feel it. In the subtle mind exercise I found that my mind won't shut up. It seemed the more I tried to keep from thinking and use my breath as an anchor the more and more thoughts came into my head. Some of it was related to trying to focus. However, some of it was so random if kinda made me laugh. I was thinking of random music and funny things and my response to this question, then I would reign it in again until the thoughts crept back in. The recording mentioned acknowledging the pulling of thoughts in the busy mind and I really get it. I really didn't feel a difference between the pulling, grasping, clinging and witnessing. I tried to get the feeling to change and let go and was able to get moments of silence but very short lived. So i really don't understand how to make myself witness my mind, that sounds silly even to me. As said in the exercise I definitely will have to practice this one in order to get a firm grasp in order to let go.
2). Spiritual, mental and physical wellness are all interconnected because human being are formed from all of these. You can not have a human being that does not have a spiritual, mental or physical component. The spirit is what gives strength of will to go on and live will. The spirit determines how the mind will operate and react. the mind determines the choices that are made in reference to what is done to and with the body. For myself in my personal life, I have seen time and time again that spirituality can be the best "medicine" for people who are ill. they let go of the tension, fear and anger they feel about being ill and embrace the love and kindness of those who surround them. Spirituality also can help people prevent illness. I have known people who are so well spirited and therefore make great life choices to care for their bodies, you can almost literally see the balance. I myself try to keep my spirituality in the fore front of my life. I sometimes fail thought when the trapping of life overwhelm me, I have to bring myself back to center. I have noticed that when I feeling mentally down that I am more likely to get ill, so I always try to keep my spirits up and my mind focused on the positive rather than the negative.
Veronica Ratliff
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