Meeting Aesclepius

I listed to the above mentioned MP3 player again.  I cannot connect with this one.  I must say that when I listed to it again, I was tired.  In the beginning I am able to focus on a wise person that was once in my life.  However, after that, my mind begins to wonder and think of other events, and think about this wise man. Even though he seems wise to me, he was only human, and had many "monkey chatter" thoughts as well.  I enjoyed reading Dacher's book, however, the mindfulness meditations have not helped me so far.  I think much of that is simply due to the fact that I am not ready to go into contemplative meditation.  Maybe someday I will.  I really hope so, because I truly believe in it.  During my days at work, I am always listening to New Dimensions Radio.  I constantly am listening to positive affirmations radio, or listen to tapes when I go to bed.  However, I am just not ready for meditation.  I suppose it is like beginning a new exercise, or making a lifestyle change, I know it will be beneficial for me, but I am in the precontemplative stage of change. 

As to the second question. Absolutely.  As a health and wellness professional, I truly believe you have to develop your health psychologically, spiritually, and physically.  I don't think I would be able to provide smoking cessation health coaching to my members if I was a smoker.  It is just common sense.  We are all a work in progress. 

Loving Kindness and Assessment

I read and practiced the loving kindness on page 93.  I feel that somedays, I actually feel this way even without specifically focusing on it.  When I wake up in the morning, after my grumpiness/sleepiness wears off, I think about the rest of the world.  I watch the news, and see many serious events, and tragedies.  I pray that others gain freedom from suffering.  I am a registered nurse, so most of my day revolves, around discussing health events with patients.  I wish them health, and happiness.  A goal I have everyday is to assist others.  I may not know exactly how I will do this, I but I want to help others. I don't want to focus completely on myself.  So, in a way, I think some of these thoughts on a daily basis.

In the assessment, I find that I need to focus on the psychospiritual.  I actually feel lacking in all areas, but beginning with psychospiritual would be first, and I feel the others would follow.  This is the same area for me that needs growth and development.  I truly would like to aim for an undoubted faith.  I want to wake up everyday with hope, belief and faith in a Higher Power. I want to believe I am not alone.  I feel if I had a strong psychspiritual connection, then my other levels, biological interpersonal and worldly would follow.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am not a "glass is half empty" person.  I try to remain positive, through out the day, and particularly with this class.  However, I want to wake up feeling positive.  Usually, when I wake up I am tired.  I want to be enthusiastic about starting my day.  Honestly, I do not feel that way as soon as I awake.  I would like to wake up as a child does when it is Christmas Day.  Is that a pipe dream?  I hope not. Perhaps this class will help me. 

Unit 5 exercise

The connection between spiritual wellness and physical wellness is manifested in my life by my running.  I believe that when I run, I am truly myself.  I am like a dog running in a field, no particular destination, just simply enjoying the run.  I do not experience everytime I run.  But when I do, I think that there is no where else I would rather be at that moment.  I think there is nothing else I would rather be doing at that moment.  Sometimes, I am truly my happiest during a run.  I am me. 

Subtle Mind

Hi, I attempted to complete the subtle mind twice.  Once I did it before I went to bed, and the other time, I tried it when I was almost done with work.  I felt a little more success with this exercise than the Loving Kindness.  I focused on my breathe and was able to set a focal point when I closed my eyes.  I focused on the point. Random thoughts entered through out the exercise. Sometimes I was able to allow them to dissipate, but other times, my mind focused on the thoughts instead.  I do believe this is an exercise that takes much practice to reach a "still" mind.  Where I was able to relax and focus on breathing.  I was not able to still my mind.  I would like to practice this exercise more.  I actually do believe practice of an exercise such as this may have a positive impact on my physical well being.