Unit 8 – Fostering Mental Fitness

I may not respond to everyone’s posts, but I do read a majority of them, and I recognize that these contemplative exercises can be challenging, difficult for various reasons, and even annoying. But, understanding that we as mankind are above the animal kingdom, we can experience life in very meaningful ways, where animals can’t, and these are obvious, but, the ability to introspect, and contemplate, sets us apart from the animal kingdom. Therefore, I fight through what’s uncomfortable to sit at the feet of the ancient-wise men/women to glean a gem or two.

I will probably never out grow the need for a witnessing mind, a calm-abiding mind, nor, loving-kindness or the subtle mind. The latter two are contemplative practices that I found very rewarding; the loving-kindness practice offered the opportunity to meditate on a love one, and then embrace their suffering, then, seeing it dissolve away. The subtle mind got me in-tuned with my breath, there’s a correlation between the mind and our breathing. The breath is always with us; this practice when cultivated will soothe and calm the mind. A clam mind will always make good decisions.   

I will take 15 minutes a day for contemplative practices, the idea is to start small and build a good foundation, and, maybe one day I will be skilled enough to train others.                   

Unit 7 Meet Aesclepius –

Another level of experience – from noisy water falls to a river that joins the ocean; this is how the narrator describes the mind and the different levels of growth. I can identify, taking the time, finding the space, setting the atmosphere, then allowing the mind to relax, but it’s much more than relaxing, it’s finding an inner peace/freedom. As I was meditating on the various degrees of the water I thought of sheep, not counting them to fall asleep, rather the depiction that is use in the bible, Christ refers to his people as, my little flock, sheep of his pasture – sheep will not drink out of rushing waters, they prefer waters that are still and quiet.

Much like the rushing water falls; I’m a noisy guy, so whenever I can get my mind to relax and stay calm it gives me such an advantage. My thoughts are crisper, I read with more comprehension, I’m a better problem solver, and as I have mentioned in subsequent postings, I can maintain a normal blood pressure. I will continue these contemplative practices; I’m considering an integral master as a mentor for these practices.

As the expression goes, “one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, p. 477, 2005). This is why having mentors are good, someone who has been where you are trying to go, someone to guide and offer suggestions as you find your way. For this same reason, as healthcare advocates we must maintain an exemplary standard of psychologically, physically, and spiritually health, we must practice what we preach to be effective. I personally find these teachings very encouraging as I continue my journey, while on this path on human flourishing I will continue to reach out to others.           

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., Micozzi, M. S. (2005). Consciousness & Healing: Integral

                    Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis, Missouri. Elsevier Churchill

                   Livingston

           

     

     

 

Unit 6 - Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness and Healing

Practice the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise.

May all individuals gain freedom from suffering.

May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.

May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.

May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.

       Speaking words is a form of action, if we say and meditate on a thing long enough we will begin to believe it, and what we believe we do.

Complete the Integral Assessment. Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?

       I love these exercises, whenever I can get still and hear the quietness of my mind and spirit it helps me to get on the right path. But, these assessments are quick to point out that I (we) haven’t arrived yet, there‘s plenty of work to do. I’ve chosen to focus on the interpersonal aspect of the human experience. If I’m to be really transparent, this is my weakest area, this is where I need to mature. No longer [I] but [you] no longer [you] but [us] no longer [us] but [all of us] – These four lines of development, requires intimacy, letting your guards down and allowing other to enter. Strengthening relationships where [me] is no longer the center focus. Doing my contemplative time I will visualize my growth in this area, and see myself doing for others, also I think that I will bring my wife in on this one – we will practice standing or kneeling face to face, maybe joining hands, looking deep into one another’s souls and without taking or asking for anything, just giving, listening, and offering myself. I think this will do.         

The Witnessing Mind...

...the Subtle Mind

My wife has always said to me, “Kevin you [even] think loud.” So, over many years of marriage, I’ve gravitated to exercises that require me to relax, breathe deeply with a purpose. The path to human flourishing has many methods. Here, we understand that “the witnessing mind” has given us the ability to observe the mind and learn how it works.

The exercise – The 10 deep breaths from the outset did wonders in relaxing me. I felt my blood warm over. The narrator noted that the “breath” is the anchor, the anchor to hold on to while you let go of the chatter and the mental movement. Witness this process, allow the clutter to dissolve, leave the white noise alone – it’s a witnessing rather than grasping, a choice-less awareness that the exercise so succinctly mentioned.      

Through practice this exercise should usher in a calm-abiding. This training the mind will pay dividends for future growth, that we may experience human flourishing in mind, body, and spirit.