Unit 5 Blog questions:

 

Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.

 

 

I listened to and enjoyed for the mots part, the subtle mind exercise.  I loved the woman's voice and found it very soothing, although I wanted to drag the wods out of her mouth. (I am a fast paced person).  The breathing exercise was good, but I felt a bit light headed after listening for a while.  This tells me that I shallow breath most of the time with little inspiratory breaths to refreshen the O2 in my bloodstream.  I loved, loved loved the sound of the ocean or the waves.  That was very relaxing.  I di like the analogy of the mind being on an anchor and we have to tug it back every once in a bit.  I had a hard time with this tape the first time so I listened a second time.  I found that the second time around I seemed to be paying more attention the the heat unit running instead of the breathing, but I found it relaxing anyway.  As usual my mind wandered all over the place.  Where to put my blog, what to have for dinner, did I turn my repoet in to my boss, I hope I turned off my curling iron this morning.  This relaxation business is just what I really do need, but I find it excrutiating at the same time.  I simply just cannot get quiet. 

Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.

 

I believe, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the mind and body are one.  If your mind is cluttered than so is your body and vise versa.  I think that if you are diagnosed will illness that your mind can control the majority of the illness just with your thoughts, your acceptance of tehillness and the fact that your body must take time to heal, and how you allow the time, in your mind to do so.  Although I am surrounded by many non-believers as far as spirituality is concerned, for me the spiritual aspect of life is essential to wellness.  When stuff gets too heavy and life gets bothersome it is nice to retreat to the spiritual side of life and allow respite. The spiriutal side is what makes us human and able to cope with loss, illness, tragedy, goodness and life in general.  It is essential to all growth to allow a spiritual side of us to become present in the forfront of our minds.