So far the hardest aspect for me to maintain and practice is the exercise and actual spiritual practice.
The exercises I have done I did stick with and after seeing no results (well really I did not GAIN weight so that is a good result I should admit) however that was not my intent and after 2 years of walking 3.5 miles in an hour and remaining the same I gave it up and I do regret that because I am not a quitter by nature.
And I have not found a spiritual place-group-church for me to participate in and I quit trying because I
found that my gnostic/theosophy type beliefs did not coincide with anyone else I knew and therefore I
devoted my time to God by studying, contemplating and basically utilizing a solitary practice of worship but after all this time of studying and learning I needed a way to implement what I had come to believe and I prayed for an answer and I did know one would come eventually... but WHEN! Then after 3 -4 years of seeking a way of reestablishing these two practices into my life I was introduced
to Yoga (I guess I am finally ready for this new level of knowing) which will allow me to exercise my body and while doing so connect with the Source of All and experience
what this class has been all about getting in touch with the best part of ourselves and healing separateness which is my biggest crux. I just didn't get how to do that and I am hopeful that yoga will provide me with the connection to the Divine & reconnect me with everyone on some level however I have read I should not go into yoga with preconceived notions or expectations so that I can remain a student and learn from within from the greatest guidance system that there is our deepest intuitive divine self. So I have determined to relinquish control of the outcome (fingers are crossed) stepping into the great beyond...
and I will use this as a method of exercise & communion, prayer, devotion,
connection & prayer to understand the Divine that is my intent and goal and use my body's energy to reconnect with who I am at the deepest level of my being...who ever that may be I cannot wait to discover this truth.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Unit 8 posting
The two that I've chosen are the Subtle mind practice & the Human Flourishing Visualization in unit 8, these are my favorites so far.
I feel that these two practices are different in that the subtle mind meditation is about being still, free, alone and being just to be and observing just to observe and to see myself beyond whatever is and this is a very expansive and wonderful intentional practice that really helps me to disconnect from what is and reconnect with what 'isn't' and then the visualization and recollection of happiness, wholeness and well being and holding-sustaining these feelings is a kind of clinging to 'something' even though it is intangible. So in that way it is different to the subtle mind meditation that wants me to be free of clinging onto something even a good feeling.
Well, these practices can be implemented in my life to enhance my over all connection with myself. One allows me to be free of what is and the other allows me to recall Good when I may be inclined to cling to negative feelings/emotions. And both expand me and give me a spacious joy that cannot seem to be had by any other way...
if there is another way I am sure that visionaries such as Wilber & Dacher will help students put it into practice.
I feel that these two practices are different in that the subtle mind meditation is about being still, free, alone and being just to be and observing just to observe and to see myself beyond whatever is and this is a very expansive and wonderful intentional practice that really helps me to disconnect from what is and reconnect with what 'isn't' and then the visualization and recollection of happiness, wholeness and well being and holding-sustaining these feelings is a kind of clinging to 'something' even though it is intangible. So in that way it is different to the subtle mind meditation that wants me to be free of clinging onto something even a good feeling.
Well, these practices can be implemented in my life to enhance my over all connection with myself. One allows me to be free of what is and the other allows me to recall Good when I may be inclined to cling to negative feelings/emotions. And both expand me and give me a spacious joy that cannot seem to be had by any other way...
if there is another way I am sure that visionaries such as Wilber & Dacher will help students put it into practice.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Unit 7
Meeting asclepius was a great practice exercise, I actually felt the presence of my chosen healer and was actually able to feel like I had merged with my healer. It's hard to explain but it was very pronounced in my legs especially...
I practive the subtle mind excercise daily. I have been doing this now for several weeks and it has made a tremendous impact on my life.
And by continually making this my practice each day I feel I will be doing great benefit to my emotional, spiritual and mental well being which will help my physical well being as a result.
The saying 'one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself.' Makes sense because why would I think that someone who teaches mediation but who has never meditated could assist me in fostering my spiritual growth & help me understand my milestones and through practical experience assist me when I need help pulling through rough patches? They most likely couldn't relate to what I was telling them and therefore could not provide me adequate advice to help me grow more or breath through the road block I find myself in!
I feel I have an obligation to know what I am doing through practical experience instead of just studying about it...
Just like the Saducees & Pharasees in the bible... they can sure talk a good talk but when it comes to practicing and knowing in their heart the truth of God they are as good as a drunken blind irishman trying to plow a straight line in a wheat field... they'll take you in circles but you won't get anywhere.
(No disrespect to irishmen, I'm polish & I don't take polish jokes personally) lol
I practive the subtle mind excercise daily. I have been doing this now for several weeks and it has made a tremendous impact on my life.
And by continually making this my practice each day I feel I will be doing great benefit to my emotional, spiritual and mental well being which will help my physical well being as a result.
The saying 'one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself.' Makes sense because why would I think that someone who teaches mediation but who has never meditated could assist me in fostering my spiritual growth & help me understand my milestones and through practical experience assist me when I need help pulling through rough patches? They most likely couldn't relate to what I was telling them and therefore could not provide me adequate advice to help me grow more or breath through the road block I find myself in!
I feel I have an obligation to know what I am doing through practical experience instead of just studying about it...
Just like the Saducees & Pharasees in the bible... they can sure talk a good talk but when it comes to practicing and knowing in their heart the truth of God they are as good as a drunken blind irishman trying to plow a straight line in a wheat field... they'll take you in circles but you won't get anywhere.
(No disrespect to irishmen, I'm polish & I don't take polish jokes personally) lol
unit 6
I first must determine what are my priorities and what practices will assist with this shift in developing this quadrant of my being and work towards flourishing in this under-developed area of my life.
I need to create a line of development in my journal (blog), set goals, time lines and identify what practices will take me toward my goal.
For example I am going to chose an urgent area I need to develop and I think it falls into the pscho-spiritual quadrant.
Urgent area: Believing that God would heal me if I sought healing.
What area of my life impacts this problem? Spiritual trust and (it's about me/not God).
Do I seek medical treatment for this ailment? Yes I have, I've been to the dentist 6 times for root canals.
I floss every night religiously and periodically during the day.
I wear a mouth guard every night.
I brush 2x a day and rinse with special mouth wash.
I eat healthy foods such as lots of fresh veggies. At least one meal is all veggies.
I only drink 1 glass of soda per day.
I drink plenty of water...
Problem: I automatically think a lump, tenderness or anything 'out of the ordinary' with
my gums or teeth means I need another root canal.
Then I worry and hash over the fact that I now need another root canal & sure as heck I will need one.
I think it is psychosomatic! I have decided to utilize what I've learned about mindfulness and when ever I feel anything 'wierd' in my HEALTHY mouth I will NOT allow any idea's of "oh no, this is happening again!, oh god I can't afford to go to the dentist!, I wish I had no teeth" type talk the continuous thinking of 'the inevitable' is happening.
From now on (and I have begun to do this for the past week or so) when ever I am tempted to use my tongue to feel the contour of my mouth 'checking for problems' I instead...
when ever I get the impulse to look for problems and or think about my mouth/teeth/gums I intentionally think "Well..." (as in I am well, good, fine) and I refuse to allow anything else to come into my mind & I conjure up a feeling of Well Being and I am able to disregard my previous concern and return to my day feeling everything is Well and fine! It works for me.
Instead of fretting about some imagined problem I have turned it around and automatically assume Good about what I am checking on and I can resume with my day with a peace of mind I was unable to obtain before! Now I believe in this way God has heard my desperate plea for healing and he taught me how to heal by not getting myself to think myself sick. Through needless and useless worry.
I need to create a line of development in my journal (blog), set goals, time lines and identify what practices will take me toward my goal.
For example I am going to chose an urgent area I need to develop and I think it falls into the pscho-spiritual quadrant.
Urgent area: Believing that God would heal me if I sought healing.
What area of my life impacts this problem? Spiritual trust and (it's about me/not God).
Do I seek medical treatment for this ailment? Yes I have, I've been to the dentist 6 times for root canals.
I floss every night religiously and periodically during the day.
I wear a mouth guard every night.
I brush 2x a day and rinse with special mouth wash.
I eat healthy foods such as lots of fresh veggies. At least one meal is all veggies.
I only drink 1 glass of soda per day.
I drink plenty of water...
Problem: I automatically think a lump, tenderness or anything 'out of the ordinary' with
my gums or teeth means I need another root canal.
Then I worry and hash over the fact that I now need another root canal & sure as heck I will need one.
I think it is psychosomatic! I have decided to utilize what I've learned about mindfulness and when ever I feel anything 'wierd' in my HEALTHY mouth I will NOT allow any idea's of "oh no, this is happening again!, oh god I can't afford to go to the dentist!, I wish I had no teeth" type talk the continuous thinking of 'the inevitable' is happening.
From now on (and I have begun to do this for the past week or so) when ever I am tempted to use my tongue to feel the contour of my mouth 'checking for problems' I instead...
when ever I get the impulse to look for problems and or think about my mouth/teeth/gums I intentionally think "Well..." (as in I am well, good, fine) and I refuse to allow anything else to come into my mind & I conjure up a feeling of Well Being and I am able to disregard my previous concern and return to my day feeling everything is Well and fine! It works for me.
Instead of fretting about some imagined problem I have turned it around and automatically assume Good about what I am checking on and I can resume with my day with a peace of mind I was unable to obtain before! Now I believe in this way God has heard my desperate plea for healing and he taught me how to heal by not getting myself to think myself sick. Through needless and useless worry.
Just a note...
For the past 2 months after I had bought some books on face reading I have wanted to learn to read faces.
I feel it is an important thing to do for my career in the legal field and also working with troubled parents & I want to know their character because I know they are not going to openly tell me.
Anyway, I have the books. I've read em' then I got busy with school (which is not a bad thing of course)...
and lots of other excuses arose and I have not learned a thing (as of this past friday) and with the help
of previous studies & the wise information learned in this class and realizing the advice I was giving my daughter to help her overcome procrastination and feelings of defeat and hopelessness something clicked!
I realized I need to apply what I told her in my pursuit of learning what I am passionate about... face reading.
Friday night as I lay in bed I thought "why haven't I learned this yet?"
I mulled it over and as I lay there in stillness wondering silently I heard myself think "just allow face reading information to flow through your mind and nothing else."
I sat up in bed and then laid back down... that was the answer!
So Saturday morning I woke up and my mind wanted to just be silent & or try and get me to think of misc. junk about the day or life or whatever... I stopped the misc. junk thoughts and I would only allow and have only allowed definitions of what parts of the face mean and shapes of faces and so forth and I realized when I set my mind to it I could visualize the face shapes I was thinking about & I actually did remember the definitions of some of the area's of the face... I didn't know I knew this information by heart but when I only allowed my mind to ONLY think about faces & face reading information it surprised me with what it did know!
My mind wants to think about something all the time, it's the nature of the beast so I thought why not make it think what I want it too, I learn valuable information in the process and we're both happy! lol
It still tests me of course! But unless there is silence/stillness I am and will only think about face reading.
& in 2 day's I have learned and remembered more on the subject and I am wonderfully surprised at the great results!
And since my mind hates repeating the same 'face' information for instance, learning all the meanings of the forehead angles for 2 day's (lol), I am devouring information on the next area of the face and learning it in record time! My mind is like a catapillar I guess, give it food to think about and mull over and when it's mastered that it wants more to feed on! I make it prove to me that it KNOWS the previous info. before I will add something new & fresh to it's memory library! We are on the same page now! It's fantastic!
I just had to share this break through... hope it helps someone else!
It takes sheer determination and will to do this but when you get mad enough and put your foot down it makes a world of difference! The mind will listen! So cool.
I feel it is an important thing to do for my career in the legal field and also working with troubled parents & I want to know their character because I know they are not going to openly tell me.
Anyway, I have the books. I've read em' then I got busy with school (which is not a bad thing of course)...
and lots of other excuses arose and I have not learned a thing (as of this past friday) and with the help
of previous studies & the wise information learned in this class and realizing the advice I was giving my daughter to help her overcome procrastination and feelings of defeat and hopelessness something clicked!
I realized I need to apply what I told her in my pursuit of learning what I am passionate about... face reading.
Friday night as I lay in bed I thought "why haven't I learned this yet?"
I mulled it over and as I lay there in stillness wondering silently I heard myself think "just allow face reading information to flow through your mind and nothing else."
I sat up in bed and then laid back down... that was the answer!
So Saturday morning I woke up and my mind wanted to just be silent & or try and get me to think of misc. junk about the day or life or whatever... I stopped the misc. junk thoughts and I would only allow and have only allowed definitions of what parts of the face mean and shapes of faces and so forth and I realized when I set my mind to it I could visualize the face shapes I was thinking about & I actually did remember the definitions of some of the area's of the face... I didn't know I knew this information by heart but when I only allowed my mind to ONLY think about faces & face reading information it surprised me with what it did know!
My mind wants to think about something all the time, it's the nature of the beast so I thought why not make it think what I want it too, I learn valuable information in the process and we're both happy! lol
It still tests me of course! But unless there is silence/stillness I am and will only think about face reading.
& in 2 day's I have learned and remembered more on the subject and I am wonderfully surprised at the great results!
And since my mind hates repeating the same 'face' information for instance, learning all the meanings of the forehead angles for 2 day's (lol), I am devouring information on the next area of the face and learning it in record time! My mind is like a catapillar I guess, give it food to think about and mull over and when it's mastered that it wants more to feed on! I make it prove to me that it KNOWS the previous info. before I will add something new & fresh to it's memory library! We are on the same page now! It's fantastic!
I just had to share this break through... hope it helps someone else!
It takes sheer determination and will to do this but when you get mad enough and put your foot down it makes a world of difference! The mind will listen! So cool.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Free Meditation music & Health & wellness course
http://www.withinsight.com/meditation/#!state_list_page
Here are 21 FREE meditations from sounds true publications.
If you are having trouble seeing this link or retrieving the information
I linked... go to www.soundstrue.com home page & on the front
of their website you'll see FREE offerings follow the prompts and you
will find the meditations or what ever else your interested in...
Enjoy!
If you have found this helpful please let me know.
Thanks so much
Liz
Here are 21 FREE meditations from sounds true publications.
If you are having trouble seeing this link or retrieving the information
I linked... go to www.soundstrue.com home page & on the front
of their website you'll see FREE offerings follow the prompts and you
will find the meditations or what ever else your interested in...
Enjoy!
If you have found this helpful please let me know.
Thanks so much
Liz
Monday, June 13, 2011
Power point for unit 5
I unfortunately could not upload it onto my blog... please look at Unit 5's Blog DB to view
my power point presentation in unit 5 thanks! Liz
my power point presentation in unit 5 thanks! Liz
Friday, June 10, 2011
unit 5 Post
I think the Loving kindness exercises was a great way to connect with others and understand our connection with those who seem to be 'out there' from us. When taking on their suffering it teaches me that it is ok to help others because in helping others Goodness increases for both (relief and wellness I am giving to them & I feel Good because it's a great act of compassion because I can expect nothing in return from them... I do it because it is a good thing to do.)
The Subtle mind practice was a great way to connect with my inner being-ness & through our studies I realize that this too is a connection with all, everyone, everything. This one inner "I-ness" that I am seeking to merge with and discover is the SAME "I-ness" that is in everyone! There is only ONE "I" and it's easy to lose that understanding because the personality which is very individualistic and separate from "I" being, thinks it is the I, but once the realization hits that I is beyond (behind) the personality and it's uniqueness, we can find the I-ness within and understand this is all there is... everything else is illusion, man made thought forms... they may seem & feel real but they are not the REAL and that is why they decay, fade and deteriorate back into the earth... the REAL does not die, decay or fade...that is how you know when you found the true inner I the one we all share and really are!
And I also think that our spiritual wellness and our mental and physical wellness depend upon this truth. And find I am working diligently to connect with something I don't have to work at to find a connection with and now that is what I am trying to do is not work at it but allow this connection to be and dwell there in spiritual, mental, and physical wellness until I shed this physical body and really find out that it was not real... but the I inside is real.
*For the meeting Aesclepius excercise (Subtle Mind Practice) found I really could feel my body as if (the Wise Person I chose) were superimposed over me. I felt energized, open, at peace with an overall sense of wellbeing surrounding me...like everything is alright! I had not ounce of worry or concern in my mind or heart and I felt a deep love, tenderness & compassion within me it was great.
I will definetly do these excercises again and again! I find they are beneficial to my spiritual, mental & physical wellness and in no way would I want to let go of that feeling. And I have been sticking to my goal of doing these mediations 2-3x a day (usually 2 but sometimes 3) and I feel a definite improvement in my overall attitude and thought patterns.
Liz
The Subtle mind practice was a great way to connect with my inner being-ness & through our studies I realize that this too is a connection with all, everyone, everything. This one inner "I-ness" that I am seeking to merge with and discover is the SAME "I-ness" that is in everyone! There is only ONE "I" and it's easy to lose that understanding because the personality which is very individualistic and separate from "I" being, thinks it is the I, but once the realization hits that I is beyond (behind) the personality and it's uniqueness, we can find the I-ness within and understand this is all there is... everything else is illusion, man made thought forms... they may seem & feel real but they are not the REAL and that is why they decay, fade and deteriorate back into the earth... the REAL does not die, decay or fade...that is how you know when you found the true inner I the one we all share and really are!
And I also think that our spiritual wellness and our mental and physical wellness depend upon this truth. And find I am working diligently to connect with something I don't have to work at to find a connection with and now that is what I am trying to do is not work at it but allow this connection to be and dwell there in spiritual, mental, and physical wellness until I shed this physical body and really find out that it was not real... but the I inside is real.
*For the meeting Aesclepius excercise (Subtle Mind Practice) found I really could feel my body as if (the Wise Person I chose) were superimposed over me. I felt energized, open, at peace with an overall sense of wellbeing surrounding me...like everything is alright! I had not ounce of worry or concern in my mind or heart and I felt a deep love, tenderness & compassion within me it was great.
I will definetly do these excercises again and again! I find they are beneficial to my spiritual, mental & physical wellness and in no way would I want to let go of that feeling. And I have been sticking to my goal of doing these mediations 2-3x a day (usually 2 but sometimes 3) and I feel a definite improvement in my overall attitude and thought patterns.
Liz
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Post 2 in unit 4
The concept of the mental workout is utilizing this workout to transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause anger, hatred, fear, worry, confusion and doubt to arise while enhancing positive emotions such as patience, loving kindness, openness, acceptance and happiness.
It provides enhanced resistance to mental distress and physical disease and promotes well being. Also the most meaningful aim is NOT to rest or relax but to progressively develop an expanded consciousness (unity consciousness) and its healing capacities.
Well being requires a diminished focus on oneself and an enhanced concern and compassion for others.
When we tame the mind through perseverence and continued practice (establishing new and healthful habits) we will be able to still the mind and develop a witnessing consciousness and then evolve to calm abiding which then evolves naturally over time into unity consciousness.
It provides enhanced resistance to mental distress and physical disease and promotes well being. Also the most meaningful aim is NOT to rest or relax but to progressively develop an expanded consciousness (unity consciousness) and its healing capacities.
Well being requires a diminished focus on oneself and an enhanced concern and compassion for others.
When we tame the mind through perseverence and continued practice (establishing new and healthful habits) we will be able to still the mind and develop a witnessing consciousness and then evolve to calm abiding which then evolves naturally over time into unity consciousness.
Persistance
I have continued to keep to my goal of doing the subtle mind
practice 2-3 times a day and I have found that my mind wanders
less over all and I can retain the witnessing mind with more and
more ease w/o having to return to my breath to get my focus
back. I feel calmer and more peaceful afterwards and this lasts
longer and longer after each practice session into my daily life
activities which is very nice.
practice 2-3 times a day and I have found that my mind wanders
less over all and I can retain the witnessing mind with more and
more ease w/o having to return to my breath to get my focus
back. I feel calmer and more peaceful afterwards and this lasts
longer and longer after each practice session into my daily life
activities which is very nice.
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