Loving Kindness & Integral Assessment

The Loving Kindness exercise was easier for me this time than the first time I did it. I think it is one I need to practice more on a regular basis; it is not difficult to do and does not take much time. By letting out loving kindness I am more able to bring in loving kindness. I really like the positive reflection I get from doing this exercise.

The Integral Assessment was an interesting assessment. It really made me realize what areas I was struggling in by writing it down on paper and really looking at it. I think the biological area is my strongest point. I work out regularly and eat healthy and nutritional meals. The interpersonal area is probably my next strongest area. I am very close to my family and friends and have great relationships with them. The psychospiritual and worldly areas are what I need to work on. I need to do more volunteering and become involved in my church. I want to be more involved; I just need to take the initial step in doing this. I can work on strengthening my psychospiritual self by continuing to practice these exercises more regularly. I feel very connected with myself and have a more positive outlook after doing them, and it would be very beneficial for me to continue these on a regular basis.

Subtle Mind Exercise

The Subtle mind track on the Dacher CD was one that I enjoyed. It seemed simple; concentrate only on your breathing and let go of any distractions. It was difficult for me at first to only concentrate on my breathing, but once I started getting it I was able to relax and enjoy it. I felt this benefited me because I was able to leave behind all of my stress and focus. I need to use this approach more in my personal life; instead of thinking about everything throughout the day that needs done and wondering how I am going to complete everything, I should instead focus on one task at a time and concentrate on doing that particular task. After that task is complete, then I can focus only on the next task. This would help me from stressing over something that does not need stressed over and will keep me happier and healthier.
The Loving Kindness and Subtle Mind exercises were similar because both involved concentrating on one particular thing-either a loved one or your breathing. These two were different, however, because the Loving Kindness exercise focused on a loved one, giving you a feeling of love. The Subtle Mind exercise focuses on breathing in and out, leaving you emotionless and undistracted.

Loving Kindness

While listening to these tracks, I felt very relaxed. The tracks gave me a very positive and relaxed feeling. I enjoyed this one and found it beneficial because it put me in a very good mood. This assignment did not seem as difficult as a few of the previous ones were. I would recommend these tracks to others because of the positive and relaxed feeling they left on my body.
A mental workout involves exerting yourself mentally in order to accomplish something. Each practive brings greater insights making us feel grateful and blessed. We begin to feel as if we can actually change the course of our health and life. We will begin to have confidence which will then turn into certainty. By practicing these workouts each day and building on them, we can gain the confidence we need to keep our health in check and be able to make a positive change on the body.

Reflection

Based on my own reflection, I would rate my physical well-being at a 9. This is because I take very good care of my body. I work out regularly and watch what I eat. I would rate my spiritual well-being at an 8. I am trying to improve this aspect of my life but still need some work in this area. I am working on improving my ability to be in touch with my body and be able to focus and relax. I would rate my psychological well-being at an 8. I stress about some things that I do not need to worry about, and I am trying to better control that.
Some activities that I can implement in my life to help me improve these areas would be continuing to work out and lift five times a week, continuing to go to church regularly and becoming involved in the church, and trying to live a stress-free life by not worrying so much about things that are not important.
The relaxation exercise Crime of the Century seemed awkward to me at first, but I was able to relax to it. I felt that it was making me sleepy and light. This was different exercise then I am used to but I could see my self using it again.