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.

Mental workout

I would guess that a mental workout would be similar to a physical workout. However, instead of exercises the muscle of the body, we are exercising the muscles and neuropathways of the mind.  It is just as important if not more so to perform a mental workout as it is to do physical exercise everyday. Some ways of doing a mental workout include prayer, meditation, guided imagery.  This focus on the inner life can help us to be better people. 

unit 4 loving kindness

Hi, 

I listened to the loving kindness audio.  I found it to be relaxing.  However, I had a difficult time remaining focused. My mind tends to wonder. I think I have a little ADD.     I must practice this exercise more often in order to gain some experience in it.  I don't like to think about people who are suffering either.  Sometimes, that tends to get me more anxious than before I started the exercise.  I found this exercise beneficial and would recommend it particularly to those Type A personalities out there.

My goals/ and steps to reach them for Mind/Body/Spirit

My goals for my physical health would be to bring my overall cholesterol down below 200mg/dl.  I will get my complete blood work up in September.  I think I could probably bring it below 200.  It was 221 the last time.  A step I could take to reach this goal would be to eliminate cookies in the morning when I drink my coffee. I do like dunking any type of cookie in my coffee in the morning. I only have maybe 3 or 4 cookies. I believe, however, processed foods are contributing to my high cholesterol.  I will make it a goal.  Spiritually, I suppose I would like to like to go to church more often.  I always feel much better when I attend church.  I can make a goal, by choosing to attend church at least two times next month.  Good idea.  Psychologically, I want to remain emotionally/mentally/intellectually stable.  When I went through my divorce, I remember falling pretty hard down that rabbit hole.  Currently, I feel I am climbing and about 1/3 of the way back up the hole.  I never want to be that sad again.  Unfortunately, I realize I probably will.  However, maybe next time, I will be more prepared to understand and have the insight to help myself to get out quicker. 

I listened to the relaxation exercise.  Honestly, I think I fell asleep. So, is that good or bad? I put it on as I settled in for my night's sleep. I attempted to visualize, but it was difficult to visualize the "colors" and places in the body.  When he mentioned the spine, I remember thinking of seeing an open spine, as in babies born with spina bifada.  It did not relax me, I started to get a little upset. My mind calmed down, but I am certain not the way it should have.  I had a hard time, doing everything he said as well.  I just did not pay very good attention. I suppose I need practice at this. thanks for not judging.