So I just completed listening to the subtle mind exercise by Dacher. I feel like I responded to this one alittle bit better the first time than I did the loving-kindness exercise. I liked how the speaker asked questions or commented during the exercise so you could work on visualizing what you were working on. She talked but yet gave you plenty of silent time to practice what she had talked about. It was hard for my mind to stay focused on my breath especially in the beginning and at the end. I was anxious in the beginning and at the end I lost focus but in the middle I did very well with it. The loving kindness exercise was harder to visualize and feel when she was talking about other people but when she talked about family members the feelings of love would return. The subtle mind exercise was all about breathing and not so much about emotion.
She did comment on the fact that in the beginning of mental exercises it is typical to literally have to force yourself to stay focused but just as with anything else, practice makes it easier. I certainly can see where mental fitness and mental awareness can and will help you in your life in every aspect. Overall, to make a simple statement I think mental fitness makes you healthier because your mind is healthy and happy and the mind controls the body...simple. right? Of course, its not as simple as it sounds. It takes a regular committment to becoming mentally fit just as it does to becoming physically fit. I would like to make these exercises a daily routine for myself. I feel that this will help me and also I can pass the experience to my clients and hope that it can help them as well. I have a physical workout routine that I do daily and have for many years, so I know I can make the committment to do the workouts, I just have to get it started.
In Mental Health
Michelle
Michelle - Your experience in the loving-kindness and subtle mind exercises sound very similar to my own experience. It was a welcome, relaxing part of my day, but I to felt like I had a hard time staying focused. I do believe, however, like you stated to be proficient at it, we must practice just as we do a physical workout to be physically fit. That is a great correlation and makes perfect sense. Knowing that we can actually change the brains pathways with training, we must take the time to do this. Your clients will be very lucky to have you incorporate your thoughts and feelings of loving-kindness and the subtle mind. I know I am certainly thankful for those people I encounter in my day that try to make each experience memorable and full of love and encouragement. All the best to you this week and in our continued journey to integral health! :-) Katie
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and agree with your thoughts about the exercises. I too found it difficult to focus on others vs my family/loved ones. I definitely think it will take time and practice like you said, but I can already see that these mental health and wellness exercises are already benefiting my life. Combining these activities with physical fitness is a great way to combine all aspects of mental health. Wonderful thoughts!!! I hope you have a wonderful week. :)
Michele
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. You are absolutely right about practicing these exercises. They take plenty of practice to see the benefits. Learning to control the mind is a complicated task, but I agree with you that learning to do so will result in a healthier person because of the ability to control the body and mind.
Candace
Practice, practice, practice! As with anything done well we have to continue to practice. I have been practicing with mediation and I have found that my focus is better on some days are than others, but I always gain great benefits from this practice. I've found that my days are a lot less out of control and my stress is way more manageable! Darlene
ReplyDeleteHey Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI love the exercises because it does re-enforce what I've been practicing with my martial arts. It's not as easy as people think when it comes to breath the right way. To put the body, mind, and breathing together so they work as one takes lot of training. Like physical exercise the brain also needs to be worked out. The subtle mind is like having a health physical body and together they make us one strong person.
Artemio
I'm glad that you thought this one was easier. I totally had a hard time with this one on my first try. I did see an ability to improve, but I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this week's practice. I do agree with you on liking the speaker and the constant reminders to re-focus the mind. I was still very difficult for me, but I saw where this could really be a great tool in the future! Great work this week!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, Since I work lots of overtime during the week and on weekends, it is hard for me to find enough hours in the day to do basic things let alone finding the time to add something new into my schedule. So my main problem is having a set time where I could relax and practice mental fitness. I used to try to get in as much as possible, but now I am just starting slowly with 5 minutes. I think once I se how helpful it is I will be able to add more time. I think your idea of getting to know this so you can pass it on to your clients is a great idea and I hope you do it.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle
ReplyDeleteI thought the subtle mind exercise was cool but a little too silent for me. I am happy you enjoyed it! I like the loving-kindness a little more for the reason it gave more to visualize and focus. Keep it up!!
Hello Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed this exercise a bit more than the Loving Kindness exercise. I ahve to agree mental fitness should be treated like physical fitness, scheduling it into a daily schedule would be a good idea.