Hi everyone! This practice I really found beneficial but harder to perform than the loving kindness practice. Both have a focus on breathing technique but the subtle mind practice, I feel, emphasizes it a little more. I found it easier to focus on loving thought rather than focusing just on breathing. I could feel at times that my mind wanted to wander (a sign I guess that this mind needs a lot of training, lol) and that I needed it to be completely silent to complete this exercise.
Spiritual wellness is connected to mental and physical wellness because it is just one component of our whole being. Like we read in our books, we cannot address just one area without the others being affected. I know that within myself, if I am feeling sad (mental) my body and spirits are going to feel low too. Same with anxiety, when I become anxious my body and emotions tell me the first. I begin to feel uneasy and my emotions sort of on edge. I can truly see by what I have learned in this course so far that each of these areas
are connected and to move forward you need to take each into consideration.
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI agree about the exercises. They are both difficult for some people. I did find the loving kindness better suited for my personality.
For me, spiritual wellness means that when I am finally able to be mentally and pyschologically fit, then I am able to focus on the wellbeing of others. It is like I have all my "cards in order" so that allows my mind to be giving and charitable. We are all different and that is why it is so important to realize this if we want to be able to help people.
Have a great week!
Karin
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI do my meditations with headphones on. The only thing I hear, aside from the recording, is my own breathing. For me, it's affective because it takes my focus to the breath instead of the thoughts. I do have thoughts and I'm working on witnessing them and going back to the breath. Practice, practice, practice. :)
Be well!
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI felt these exercises were difficult at time, so I agree with you there. I do think that both of these can be beneficial towards a person, depending on the person. I enjoyed the subtle mind exercise more though. It was more enjoyable for me. I guess it depends on the person though. Great thoughts. Take Care.
Jamie