Unit 6 Exercise

This time around, the loving-kindness meditation was not as challenging for me as the first time.  A huge difference was my perception about taking in other people’s suffering. My approach was much more compassionate tand because I reconciled my position on the matter, I was able to approach it from an open space and with loving-kindness…go figure!

The subtle mind meditation was very interesting this time around as well. I notice that I’m starting to see faces that I can’t quite make out.  I remain focused and observant on the faces, but nothing is conclusive to me other that the overwhelming feel of being loved and looked after.

The integral assessment exercise was a confirmation of what I already knew. The exercise was fun though.  I’ve done similar work before where one goes within to find the answers to the questions that way heavy on our minds.  The area that I need to work on the most at this time is Biological. I also need development on fitness, nutrition and self-regulation equally. The area that came up for healing was the same, Biological. What also came up for me was the fact that I had the knowledge and ability to make major strides in this area; however, I need to implement self-regulation more stringently.  I also received a clear message about the importance of pausing before making choices that are keeping me from moving forward in this area and ask myself if what I’m choosing to do is in my best interest.

Overall, the exercise was insightful and helped me further understand what’s going on in my headJ

Namaste and Happy Holidays to all!

John

https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AVeCPRGOcf_PZGNyNnZ0cG1fMG01Zzl3cmNw&hl=en_US

The PowerPoint Presentation for Unit 5 Assignment

Unit 5: Reflection

This unit’s meditation was leaps and bounds better for me that the last meditation. I really enjoyed how the focus on the breath helped to keep me in the moment. Another revelation I experience was observing the thoughts that came up when I was focusing on my breath. This point was most important for me because it helped me be more aware of what I am thinking. By becoming a keen observer of my thoughts and actions, I will be able to achieve the next level of calm consciousness. Thought creates my reality so it helps to know what I am thinking. Not having someone guiding the meditation as frequently like in the loving-kindness meditation, was also very helpful.

I heard of using a focal point during meditation to help bring one back to center. In the past, I have said “OM” to keep me centered when my mind wandered off to thoughts about my grocery list.  Using the voice to keep focused and clam the mind helps me because my voice resonates positive vibrational energy throughout my body. Thoughts, lights, colors, and sounds all transmit information/energy at very high rates.  As our consciousness expands, so does our ability to heal through the use of vibrational and meditative practices.

Deepak Chopra once said, "Every cell in our bodies is eavesdropping on our thoughts." With that said, we need to be more conscious about what we are thinking thus more aware of what we are manifesting in our bodies and in our lives!

Namaste!

Unit4: Reflection

I must say that I really did not enjoy this particular meditation exercise. I was distracted thinking about how I would respond in my reflection.  I was good with visualizing someone who was near and dear to me.  I typically use my mother for these types of exercises because I know she loved me to no end. I remember as a child being in her arms and having that feeling of being safe and secure. To me, the love of a mother is the closest thing to feeling the love of God itself or a variation of the same.  It is powerful to say the least.  I enjoyed visualizing a place that I would enjoy.  It was euphoric and I felt very light as if I was floating.  In my mind, I reached out and touched the vision and felt it felt very good. I also felt my heart warm up, then my entire body warmed up when I visualized receiving love from my mother. It all went down hill when I began inhaling the suffering of others and exhaling wellness/flourishing for them.  I believe in the unified field and how we can extend healing energy from a distance. I practice a healing energy called Reconnection and I’m a Reconnection Level III healer. I’ve been able to help my friends heal from a distance and they recanted their experiences to me about what they felt during the session.  Energy work is amazing; however, I’m not on board with taking in other people’s suffering as I’ve had my own share of suffering to contend with throughout my lifetime. Also, I’m on the fence with suffering as I’m leaning towards it being a construct of the mind.  By me taking it in, I feel as if I’m acknowledging its existence and power. I also don’t think that is necessary to take suffering in to my life experience in order to dissipate it. I would prefer to disarm suffering by denying its power and affirming positive thoughts.  On the other hand, I can see how playing of the role of alchemist by changing suffering into joy is beneficial to helping others end suffering.  Maybe I should look at the example with compassion and acknowledge that for many individuals, suffering is real and if it’s real to them I have to acknowledge it in order to help them heal and flourish.  Maybe I’m suffering and don’t even know it. I don’t have the answers and I need to think about this one a little further.  I might be a little spoiled because if I lost my iPhone and had no Internet for a week, I would call that suffering – LOL! When I look at those who do not have the basic necessities of life (food, water, shelter, love), I would consider that suffering as well. For now, the jury is out.  I don’t know if I would recommend the exercise to others. For someone who believes in suffering as being “real” then I think it’s a great exercise.

To me, a mental workout is a daily ritualistic practice of prayer, meditation or contemplation that contributes toward the expansion of our consciousness. Our ego has been running Olympic games for years and if we want to begin living a more conscious life and experience human flourishing, we need to train our mind to be focused on the development of thoughts that aid us in achieving psychospiritual health.  Just like we exercise our bodies to achieve a desired result, we also have to exercise the mind in the same regimented manner. I took on the practice of praying, meditating and saying my affirmations first thing every morning.  I also end the day with a gratitude list.  This practice has improved my life in ways that cannot be measured.  I hope you enjoy the post and I wish you all the best in your healing journey.

Regards,

John

Unit 3: Reflection

When I reflected on physical, psychological and spiritual wellness, I began rating them differently, but then realized, if the mind is the body and the body is the mind, then they should have the same rating.  I would like to think that I’m better psychologically than physically; however, there are several aspects of my physical being I wish were different such as being about 15lbs overweight and having an elevated blood sugar.  Both of these conditions stem from unhealthy habits I’ve been unable to break and from an inability to maintain a regular practice of proper diet and exercise.  There is a psychological reason for my choices that I have yet to discover. From this perspective, I would rate myself a five in these two areas.

As far as a spiritual rating is concerned, I would have to rate myself a 10.  I am one with Spirit.  Now, as it relates to my level of awareness of my oneness with Spirit or spirituality as I consider it, I would rate myself a seven.  I tend to look at my level of peace and happiness to determine how aware I am of my Divine nature. Created in the image and likeness of my Creator, I strive to experience more of my Creator each day.

My goal is to be a 10 in each area and the key for me is the awareness of the truth of who I am.  Oneness with all that is is my truth!  I’ve learned over the years that the way to achieve what you want is to draw your attention on what you are trying to create versus focusing on what you don’t want.  With this mind, I have implemented the following practices:

Physical

1.     I started working out again with a personal trainer.

2.     I understand the benefits of exercise and turn to those benefits to help keep me inspired to continue working out.

3.     I monitor and track my nutritional intake daily while minimizing my sugar intake.

4.     I started on a monthly regimen of intravenous vitamin therapy.

Spiritual

1.     I returned to a nightly practice of prayer and meditation.

2.     I plan to return to Reiki circles and being immersing myself in the healing modality to help with self-healing and be present for others.

3.     I am currently reading spiritual books inside and outside of this class.

Psychological

1.     I closely monitor my emotions and level of happiness.

2.     When I’m unhappy I ask myself what I am afraid of and ask myself five “why’s” to get to the root of the fear-based thought causing my unhappiness.

3.     I meditate.

The meditation exercise was great. There were no frustrating parts as I have done guided meditations before, in particular chakra balancing meditations. I was very relaxed during the meditation and understand the important of thinking and speaking the affirmations when addressing each chakra.  Speak out loud affirms to the Universe in the form of declaration what one intends to create. It also sends a vibratory message throughout the body of the affirmation for the purpose of cellular memory.  I also like the idea of making a mental note of the experience for future reference.  It really helps to have a good relaxing feeling that one can resort to during times of need.

I’m currently vacationing in the St. Martin until December 4^th.  When I was here a year ago, I witnessed for the first time in my life a double rainbow (see new profile pic). I was in awe of how beautiful it was. Today, I’m in awe of how beautiful I am after the meditation.

Namaste!

Unit 2: Meditation Reflection

My experience with the Journey on Relaxation exercise was great. I have a regular practice of meditation so getting into that state is fairly easy for me.  The minute I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I immediately started to relax and felt the flow of energy into and around my body. My eyes fluttered rapidly and my head began to move without me actually moving it. I felt as if my body was physically grounded, but a part of me was light as a feather floating slightly above my body.  I experienced everything that the guided meditation instructed me to do/feel.  I felt the blood coursing through my veins from my abdominal area to my arms and my arms felt so heavy I could not lift them. I then felt the blood return from my arms/hands to my abdominal area and they felt light again. Overall, it was a great experience and I feel relaxed as a result.