Preferred Mental Fitness Practices

After reviewing my experiences with the practice sessions through -out this course, I found that the loving kindness and creative visualization exercises benefited me the most. I found that both exercises allowed me to give and receive my natural nurturing abilities to myself and others, and creatively visualize past and future happiness. Other practice sessions during the course like the subtle mind exercise, asked for individuals to take a deep breath and clear their mind. Taking deep breaths was supposed to assist in staying on track during the healing process, but I had difficulty keeping my minds noise from rising.  Therefore I was not receiving the full benefit from the exercise.  

I felt the loving kindness and creative visualization exercise was more beneficial because it was fulfilling and easy to accomplish. By going back in time so to speak, helped me confirm that I allowed temporary issues to change me, and I could not recognize myself anymore. I need to remember the important aspects in my life in order to return to “normal” or at least put me on the right path to improving my mind, body, and spirit.  

Flourishing Through the Integral Assessment Process

I really did try the universal loving- kindness practice this week, but I could not let go of my mind noise long enough to release the anger from the injustices I received these past months. During my assessment I had no problem finding that aspect of my suffering, which currently is Kaplan University. The school affects my worldly line of development, and then snowballs down to the remaining three lines of development. I even tried to replace the practice words with “good things come to those who wait”, but the noise still would not go away.

You see, I was very excited when I believed I received my Bachelors in Business Administration in August 2011. The school advisors admit their error when they signed me up for my last three classes a term ahead of time, but I should have had four. When I called the school in mid October, they informed me I had six credits remaining to complete my degree. By this time I missed out on a good paying job because I would not pass the background check, nor did I qualify with the only requirement they needed me to have, a bachelors.  After Kaplan placed an additional 26 credits on my degree plan, when I only needed six, the advisors and the register and credit office assured me this wellness class would go with my business degree plan.  It took the school five weeks to clear things up, then tell me they signed me up for the wrong class, and I will have to go an additional term again.

Twenty more weeks of school for nothing, they admit it was all their error, but I still have no diploma. I will not see it for nine months after I originally should have graduated, and they expect me to trust them. The school admits it's all their fault, but I have to pay the consequences. I am having difficulty finding work, paying bills, keeping a roof over my head and food in my stomach. The Dean and school tell me that they will pay for this class, and I should be happy I will graduate with an extra six credits. I have so much noise that I can't think straight. I figure that it will take a long time to release the anger, injustices, and disappointment of not completing my original goal along with the 3.85 GPA, to develop a consciousness to heal and become whole.

LaVenus

Love and Kindness vs. Control and Focus

The love-kindness and subtle mind exercises offer different ways to accomplish psychospiritual development. I did however, find that the subtle mind exercise was more difficult to stay focused on because of all my preoccupations, while the love kindness exercises directed my emotions to a specific area, which was easier. Both exercises stress the importance of rhythmic breathing to help focus on and calm the movement of mental noise. During the love kindness exercise, individuals were asked to concentrate on positive emotions for others, then transfer those same emotions towards themselves. The subtle mind exercise instructs us on the importance of “resting or silencing” the minds noise or activity. This offers individuals the ability to better observe and control mental movements that hinder the natural healing process. Either way, both exercises presents alternative pathways to flourish and heal. With patience and practice, individuals will be able to utilize wisdom and resources that intentionally guides them towards integral healing.

LaVenus

We all need loving and kindness

     I enjoyed listening to the loving-kindness CD this weekend. It made me feel relaxed and his head for the very opposite side for the assignment.  Once the door opened, reality was standing there waiting impatiently for its turn to hit me in the face. It seems that I am my own worst critic and need to practice what I preach. Not so long ago, when I use to sleep for the more than two hours at a time, I use to listen to various relaxation audios. Look at me now; I can’t sleep for more than two hours at a time. I can put one and one together, so I need to work on relaxing more. 

     This past Saturday, I returned to California from Florida. A friend that I have not seen for 23 years came through town at that same time, and stopped to visit. While catching up, she let me know of her recent diagnosis of breast cancer, with harsh treatments to come. She asked me to pray for her because she believes the support of prayer will help her fight the disease. Well during the exercise, the instructor said to think of a person to place loving-kindness upon, so I thought of my long-time friend. When asked to place those same emotions upon myself, It felt good to forgave myself for being so self-critical, even after the door opened and reality hit me in the face.

LaVenus

Optimal Wellbeing

If I measured my own health from 0-10, 10 being optimal wellbeing, I would rate my health a 4. This is only because I am holding onto hope. Integral health is evolutionary and dynamic, and empowers one to explore and become self cultivating and generating (Dacher, 2006). This is one of the reasons I need to heal myself by dealing with one issue at a time.

My current emotional, physical, and spiritual issues have made my existing health issues worsen. I plan to resolve this issue soon in order to heal the areas that were drained. In the future, for emotional stability, I will try to stop dwelling on issues that I have no power to change at that moment. Physical stability, I will remove myself from unhealthy environments that increase BP, insomnia, and stomach problems. For spiritual stability, I can regain my-self worth and the ability to trust my own judgment.

I found I was unable to relax while listening to “The Crime of the Century” exercise. It is a good concept to have light images helps you feel grounded, but the instructor was giving instructions and explanations too often. The instructions to the exercise should have been given before exercise began, and his voice was not calming enough. I personally could not get into the exercise.

LaVenus

Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health. The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Reflection: Journey on Relaxation

Due to the daily stresses of life, my body has been feeling the unwelcome side effects of tension, especially the back. The tension has been causing restless and many sleepless nights. When I realized the assignment was to listen to a meditation exercise, I eagerly jumped at the possible benefits, and turned off all distractions. The relaxation technique was wonderful. I was able to close my eyes and listen to the calm voice of the instructor, soothing music, my heartbeat,  blood flowing through my veins, and the unfamiliar sensation of muscles uncoiling. I was able to relax my body enough that I fell into a light but restful sleep for an hour. Well, the daily stresses returned, and my body remembers the relaxing experience with fondness.  Now, I have to find time to do it more often.

Welcome

My name is LaVenus, and I am completing my Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration. I believe that I am going to benefit greatly from this class because I am a believer of alternate healing. Through personal experiences, I have learned that “emotions” can hurt the flourishing of health, just as much as it can heal. I am heart attack survivor, and in search for life improvements and alternate thought processes that would assist with optimal health. I understand the path to optimal health will be a long journey, but with increased knowledge, in-depth soul- searching, and time, I will learn how to flourish.