Unit 6 Loving Kindness/Integral Assessment

Hi again to all,

This weeks universal Loving Kindness meditation exercise I found somewhat easier probably because we just had to read about the exercise and not listen to the CD on how to complete the exercise. I took the book out back sat in my rocking chair and read the exercise, closing my eyes and relaxing, and repeating the phrases over and over. I felt relaxed and a sense of greater good, like I was praying for the help of others and myself, so that was nice. If by chance someone out their receives a blessing behind that exercise that is cool. With the Integral Assessment I found my areas of difficulty are in pretty much all areas of this process to Integral health and wellness. Like I said in the post for last week, I understand the part the mind can play in physical health and the importance of learning to control stressors in your life, I just find it more benefiting for me to be simpler in my approach. Psychospiritual would definitely be an area in need of improvement for me and if I work a little harder with the witnessing mind, calm-abiding, and unity consciousness maybe I can develop this area more. Listening again to the CD with the exercises we have been practicing when it is not a requirement but just because I want to may be another activity to promote in this area. I just believe some people are more in tune to this type of meditation and others are not. But maybe I'm wrong and just have not put out the right effort. But to be honest I find it boring.

Tracie Hernandez

Unit 5 Subtle Mind

Hi Everyone, Not sure what happened last week, but I'm reposting this blog. I do not see the powerpoint posted either. Hope everyone had a great week, I took a little R & R and spent some time with my family with no access to anything electronical, just us and nature and enjoyed it tremendously. Gave me time to think more about the Loving-Kindness and Subtle Mind exercises we have done over the last few weeks and my frustration of just not getting it. Both of these exercises seem like great tools for some or most people I just have trouble getting to the point I know we are striving far. The sounds of the waves of course are great and relaxing and are my favorite part, but that talking and wanting you to focus on this or that just loses me. I found myself getting up and filling up the bird feeders as I listened. Due to my blood pressure issues a few years ago I have learned alot about how stress can affect your body and so I have placed in my life not only physical activity of walking 3-4 times a week but time to relax everyday and let go of the things that may be bothering me so they do not fester and let go of the stress of the day. My way is different than what the exercises we have been completing each week. I see my way as simpler. I just like to sit in my rocking chair on my back porch and relax, I can actually sit our there for hours and thinking about absolutely nothing, just clear my mind and relax. Other times it is the perfect place and time for me to work out issues in order to resolve problems and stress. My son laughs at me, he will open the back door and just smile at me and go back in. I think to each their own, just find what works for you and work it.

Tracie Hernandez

Unit 4 Blog

Hi Everyone,

After completing the reading in chapter 6 and reviewing "Getting Started" I took the Dacher CD outside on my back porch to listen to the Loving Kindness exercise. This the place I go to every evening and relax, its quiet and I like to watch all the squirrels and birds in my backyard. I starting to think that my personality is just not cut out for this relaxing spiritual concept. I found the quiet moments on the CD with just the sound of the ocean very relaxing especially watching the critters in my yard. Then the lady would speak and it ruined it for me especially the part on thinking about a loved one who is suffering and take that suffering in, What was that all about, total mood changer. Any way hope some of you got more out of it than I did.

I read the section on mental workout and had a hard time understanding it, the concept seems way off beat to me. I understand what it means to take time and clear you thoughts of negative thoughts and learn to let go and relax, but that is as far as my mental work out goes.

Tracie Hernandez