Meeting Aesclepius unit 7

I had to do this practice 3 times the first two times it irritated me as I couldn’t let go of what was going on throughout the house. But the third time I resigned myself to the practice and when I lost connection and focus I would let go of the distraction by focusing on my breathing, I saw an elder from church. When I saw the elder I experienced a sense of peace, and tranquility. I did not see the light but when I thought of his mind; I sensed the wisdom that he carried when he spoke. When I thought of the throat I noticed how gentle his words were and when I thought of the heart I noticed all the loving service he did for others (his mission work, the way he always took time to talk with people, and pray with them). When I sat with him on the shore of the water that was in the background I felt a sense of peace, silence, like I had no care in the world.

The saying “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” In my world that statement says a lot. I use to sell a car product, I used it for a year before I committed to selling it as I wanted to know the product and believe in it before I put my name behind it. The same with this saying and the health and wellness profession, to best help your clients you must believe in what you tell them. If it doesn’t help you and you don’t believe in it, it won’t help them. It seems the more we do these practices the more enlightened I feel I’m not sure about the wisdom part but the calmness I see on a regular base. Things just don’t seem to affect me as much as they use to, I feel I have more patience and understanding.

Pam12

After completing the universal loving-kindness I was not able to do much in the shape of relaxing just like I was doing an exercise in reading. Yet I do see if I was angry and using that as a way of calming down (like counting to 10) it would be great as I would not be focusing on the anger issues but switching the focus to others, taking the focus from a “me” center to an “All of Us” center.

As I sit here after completing the assessment and evaluating all four quadrants I can see that the biological quadrant is my focus. I looked at psycho-spiritual quadrant and I am an encourager and walk in this gifting daily. The interpersonal quadrant is flourishing well at this point in my life, yet I know there is times when I will need to heal and grow in this area. The worldly quadrant seems to come easy most of the time as I feel connected to society am active in the community, and love to talk with others about my experience. Now for the biological quadrant, I need much attention in this area. I am comfortable with the nutrition aspect but the fitness aspect needs extra attention. I find it difficult to engage in workout activities due to the heat (even with fans and air).  I can set it in the schedule and plan to follow through but something always seems to get in the way, and then the exercise plan gets pushed out the door. I could invite a friend to come workout with me but I just haven’t so… The self-regulation part is another area that needs much attention as I struggle with self-control when it comes to eating and self –esteem when it comes to feeling good about the way I procrastinate on the whole biological quadrant.

I think I am going to call a friend and see if they would like to come and workout with me 3 days a week early in the morning before it get hot or the schedule gets filled.

Pam12

The Subtle Mind

In comparing the loving-kindness and the subtle mind practices I can see the benefits of both I do seem to like the subtle mind better as I was able to refocus my mind to my breathing. I noticed at first I was having to really focus yet as I was able to relax and start witnessing the activities that were drawing my attention I was able to let them go and go back to breathing. The mind trails led to my busy schedule and the family. Although I could allow them (my thoughts) to mess the whole calm-abiding practice up if I chose, but with making a commitment to refocus on the breathing and then the quiet, peaceful and serene time, I was able to enjoy calm-abiding state. I am not sure I made it to the unity consciousness state but I think as I continue to try this I shall make it there. Although I kinda like the calm-abiding state even if it was only for a short time.
I really like the idea that it was all about the breathing and that we take our breathing everywhere we go and if we take a minute in our busy days to focus on the breathing the calmness will come and replace the hectic moments. I do deep breathing techniques before stressful meetings or appointments but never thought about doing it during a meeting.
It amazes me how much stress effects the body in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the our lives. If taking a few minutes a day to relax and do some loving-kindness and/or subtle mind exercises to combat the effects of stress on the body then why not put that in your schedule. When you can take it with you and apply the techniques anytime anyplace with there is no extra items you need to carry with you it almost seems like a no brainer to try. Wonder why I haven't done this before? 
Pam12

unit 4 The Workout

As I sit here having completed the loving-kindness exercise and realizing I feel at peace with all that is around me. I have come to realize I have been doing this for some time as I take time to soak in the presence of God as I listen to soft worship music. Being in His presence takes the worries I carry daily to a place where He can take them and carry them for me. After spending time with Him in His presence I am able to take on the burdens of my loved ones and my friends as well as the neighborhood and the community and breathe out a spirit of peace and love. I also ask for protection and blessings to be poured out on them. When I look at this loving-kindness exercise I do find it very beneficial and not difficult at all, it is taking time to slow down and breathe. I tell friends and family when they are overwhelmed with life and happenstance to slow down and breathe (maybe I should take my own advice). It really does work and makes life much less stressful and weary. It has given me a sense of energy (that is much needed, as I always seem to be tired).

Just as we take time to schedule in a time for physical exercise we need to schedule time for our psychospiritual selves. Just like when we start a rigorous fitness plan and the first week we struggle with aching muscles and fatigue so it is like the mental workout for our psychospiritual being. We take it slow and make every step a focused step the fatigue and frustration will fade quickly. If we make it a commitment each day to follow the regime and continue to follow it for a week then another week then a month we will see the benefits and be able to see the result of peace in our day to day walk. Before long you will be living in loving-kindness, subtle mind-witnessing, calm-abiding, and unity consciousness.  

Pam12

Crime of the Century Journey

Unit 3 Journal

Well I would love to say I was a 10 in all 3 areas but I would be lying. So to be honest I would have to give myself a 7.5 on physical wellbeing as I am healthy yet for some reason I have been really tired lately. For my spiritual well-being I would give myself a 8.5 as I recently have stretched my tent stakes and feel more connected and in touch with my spiritual walk and. On the psychological well-being I would give myself a 7 as I feel I am under more stress with summer approaching, kids are home, finances are low, and everything still needs to get done. As for my goals 1) to monitor what I eat and how much sleep I am getting as well as how good was my night’s sleep. 2) Spend time listening to worship music and soaking in the presents of the spirit. 3) To take time for me, go for a walk; exercise more to help with the stress of the days.

Some things I could do would be to keep things organized and on schedule yet allow for flexibility in the schedule. Allow myself time to schedule time for exercise and or a walk. Go for some quiet time no music, no friends, no distractions and listen to my heart.

After completing the “Crime of the Century” exercise I was relaxed yet I was irritated that I was unable to see the lights or colors throughout the exercise. I was able to focus on the breathing, and was able to move from area to area but the light was not there. Maybe I need to try this again only this time lie down and see if I could focus more closely.  Well I tried it again and still no light or colors but relaxed.

Pam12