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.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Day two in Unit 4
Here is what happened...
I went from focusing on my breath with every ounce of concentration to
the next 'phase' where I was observing the antics of my mind such as the
thoughts it was handing me and the images it wanted me to see and I found
the whole thing quite funny. I chuckled and was amazed at the things that
go on in my own mind!
Then I had trouble off and on with these thoughts sticking to me and it was
once again as if it was me (the observing presence) having these thoughts
though I knew better. And I thought I cannot untangle myself from these
thoughts, I lose myself in them actually. And then I would quickly concentrate
on my breath. Then after focusing on my breath I returned to the observing of
these thoughts and images of the mind and I realized after a bit that I was just
there...observing but nothing got my attention I was able to seperate myself from
the mind and stay here for awhile, quite awhile and as I noticed this I was realized
everything my mind put out and flowed past my awareness it didn't matter, I just
couldn't be bothered by it. It faded into oblivion I guess these thoughts seemed so
much more distant from ME, just out of reach really. A second could have passed
or several minutes I just don't know because the sense of time was not there. Wierd.
And I was somewhere but nowhere at the same time and even noticing this didn't
cause me to lose my 'place' in this phase of being. Was it calm abiding? May be it
was... I was calm, very calm and I was just dwelling 'there' so it could be that I made
it to the second stage of the excercise! I look forward to hearing about other's
experience to see how we compare and if others felt the same in the calm abiding phase.
Have a great day! Liz
I went from focusing on my breath with every ounce of concentration to
the next 'phase' where I was observing the antics of my mind such as the
thoughts it was handing me and the images it wanted me to see and I found
the whole thing quite funny. I chuckled and was amazed at the things that
go on in my own mind!
Then I had trouble off and on with these thoughts sticking to me and it was
once again as if it was me (the observing presence) having these thoughts
though I knew better. And I thought I cannot untangle myself from these
thoughts, I lose myself in them actually. And then I would quickly concentrate
on my breath. Then after focusing on my breath I returned to the observing of
these thoughts and images of the mind and I realized after a bit that I was just
there...observing but nothing got my attention I was able to seperate myself from
the mind and stay here for awhile, quite awhile and as I noticed this I was realized
everything my mind put out and flowed past my awareness it didn't matter, I just
couldn't be bothered by it. It faded into oblivion I guess these thoughts seemed so
much more distant from ME, just out of reach really. A second could have passed
or several minutes I just don't know because the sense of time was not there. Wierd.
And I was somewhere but nowhere at the same time and even noticing this didn't
cause me to lose my 'place' in this phase of being. Was it calm abiding? May be it
was... I was calm, very calm and I was just dwelling 'there' so it could be that I made
it to the second stage of the excercise! I look forward to hearing about other's
experience to see how we compare and if others felt the same in the calm abiding phase.
Have a great day! Liz
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
unit 4 post 1 of 3
In the excercises I had very interesting experiences. In the loving-kindness excercise I thought it was very beneficial as it had a carry over effect into the suble mind excercise here is what happened.
During the Subtle mind excercise I observed how my mind wanted to notice things, first my mind would move to the sound of the waves as I focused on my breath, then as I let it go and returned to my breath my mind heard seagulls and other birds 'at the ocean' then I returned to my focus (breath) and then I noticed my mind wanted to analyze what was happening, it was acting as if it were me in that it would say 'wonder why I heard birds? This is obviously a computerized ocean sound, my mind must want to find things' then I realized my mind had become 'alive' it thought it was someone it thought it was ME! I returned to my breath, then my mind started to analyze 'isn't it odd how the mind searches for anything to cling too? It searches for things to hear and see... it feeds on thinking, mulling things over and it always wants to be in a discussion?'
Then my mind thought a few other things before I returned the focus on my breath, then I had a visual of (the loving kindness mediation) and I felt how it feels to take in everyones suffering into my heart & my body wanted to cry, sadness came over me then my mind thought..."it's been transmuted" and I returned the focus to my breathing.
During one point I felt a glimpse of Being. Stillness. I was nothiing but I was... at the same time. Then my mind began to analyze this 'feeling' and the excercise ended...
As I found my mind analyzing I wondered 'what is this thinker within? Who is breathing this body? Who is directing the breaths? Is it this mind being who speaks all the time or is it the "I" am being found as stillness? Who is doing it? And I found myself deeply contemplating this after the session ended. The mind I see feeds on activity its as if it will die without doing something! But it is true it is always grasping as if it were a person drowning and grasping at anything that floats on by. And behind it all was an inner essence observing the obsurdity of this inner dialog my mind was having with itself.
It really is insanity if you really think about it. (Who is thinking about it? My mind who is grasping at something to mull over or this "I" ness who is very curious about the antics of the mind?).
I hope to hear from you and tell me if you noticed anything similar, like the mind becoming someone and thinking things as if it were a conscious entity and determining answers that it seemed quite satisfied with. I look forward to hearing from you all! Liz Hobby
During the Subtle mind excercise I observed how my mind wanted to notice things, first my mind would move to the sound of the waves as I focused on my breath, then as I let it go and returned to my breath my mind heard seagulls and other birds 'at the ocean' then I returned to my focus (breath) and then I noticed my mind wanted to analyze what was happening, it was acting as if it were me in that it would say 'wonder why I heard birds? This is obviously a computerized ocean sound, my mind must want to find things' then I realized my mind had become 'alive' it thought it was someone it thought it was ME! I returned to my breath, then my mind started to analyze 'isn't it odd how the mind searches for anything to cling too? It searches for things to hear and see... it feeds on thinking, mulling things over and it always wants to be in a discussion?'
Then my mind thought a few other things before I returned the focus on my breath, then I had a visual of (the loving kindness mediation) and I felt how it feels to take in everyones suffering into my heart & my body wanted to cry, sadness came over me then my mind thought..."it's been transmuted" and I returned the focus to my breathing.
During one point I felt a glimpse of Being. Stillness. I was nothiing but I was... at the same time. Then my mind began to analyze this 'feeling' and the excercise ended...
As I found my mind analyzing I wondered 'what is this thinker within? Who is breathing this body? Who is directing the breaths? Is it this mind being who speaks all the time or is it the "I" am being found as stillness? Who is doing it? And I found myself deeply contemplating this after the session ended. The mind I see feeds on activity its as if it will die without doing something! But it is true it is always grasping as if it were a person drowning and grasping at anything that floats on by. And behind it all was an inner essence observing the obsurdity of this inner dialog my mind was having with itself.
It really is insanity if you really think about it. (Who is thinking about it? My mind who is grasping at something to mull over or this "I" ness who is very curious about the antics of the mind?).
I hope to hear from you and tell me if you noticed anything similar, like the mind becoming someone and thinking things as if it were a conscious entity and determining answers that it seemed quite satisfied with. I look forward to hearing from you all! Liz Hobby
Thursday, June 02, 2011
relaxing music
soothing & relaxing music take a listen and enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSgPDKG6bB0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSgPDKG6bB0&feature=related
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Relaxation excercise unit 3 part 2
I listened to the rainbow/chakra exercise and found that I could imagine what each color could vividly look like and I could easily notice where it was in/on my physical body. I found the exercise to be fine but I cannot say I felt better after having done it.
I became more aware of these aspects during the exercise (assigned to each chakra) such as being grounded, or centered or open but only slightly. I have used a grounding technique when I do my whole body (auric & physical) cleansing of negative emotions and dis-ease, seen and unseen energies that need to be rid of that are found within and without and I find that it keeps me from feeling 'loopy' or 'light headed' after doing some visualizations and so I use it often. What I do is I visualize a large grounding cord from my root chakra to the core of the earth. This root chakra has a 'trash shoot' branch coming from the main grounding cord in a Y type shape and this branch allows for pain, sadness, or any negative thing to be trashed or vacuum sucked down to and sent to the core of the earth for purification (by fire) it is then transformed and rendered harmless and the earth uses it like it uses compost to allow new growth and life to spring from it as it see's fit but I am rid of the 'disease' on every level and I feel totally refreshed and cleansed through and through afterwards. I then cut the cord and let it fall to the earths core for destruction and also if during the visualization If feel the cord needs to be changed I cut it and create a new one to continue my cleansing process. This is the best visualization I have done for eliminating negative emotions clogging my muscles and streaming through my aura and it is done in about 15 minutes most of the time...then I see my aura as sparkling and shinning bright. If you have any visualizations to share I'd love to hear them!
The grounding technique came from the book:
You are Psychic: The art of Clairvoyant reading and healing. by Debra Lynne Katz
(great book)
I became more aware of these aspects during the exercise (assigned to each chakra) such as being grounded, or centered or open but only slightly. I have used a grounding technique when I do my whole body (auric & physical) cleansing of negative emotions and dis-ease, seen and unseen energies that need to be rid of that are found within and without and I find that it keeps me from feeling 'loopy' or 'light headed' after doing some visualizations and so I use it often. What I do is I visualize a large grounding cord from my root chakra to the core of the earth. This root chakra has a 'trash shoot' branch coming from the main grounding cord in a Y type shape and this branch allows for pain, sadness, or any negative thing to be trashed or vacuum sucked down to and sent to the core of the earth for purification (by fire) it is then transformed and rendered harmless and the earth uses it like it uses compost to allow new growth and life to spring from it as it see's fit but I am rid of the 'disease' on every level and I feel totally refreshed and cleansed through and through afterwards. I then cut the cord and let it fall to the earths core for destruction and also if during the visualization If feel the cord needs to be changed I cut it and create a new one to continue my cleansing process. This is the best visualization I have done for eliminating negative emotions clogging my muscles and streaming through my aura and it is done in about 15 minutes most of the time...then I see my aura as sparkling and shinning bright. If you have any visualizations to share I'd love to hear them!
The grounding technique came from the book:
You are Psychic: The art of Clairvoyant reading and healing. by Debra Lynne Katz
(great book)
Unit 3 entry pt. 1
On a scale of 1-10 I rate my physical well being as an 7 because on a purely anatomical level I have some ailments that have restricted my life such as knee problems & I have had 6 root canals and I wear glasses and have some minor allergies. On the mind body level I have done well but not great in that I have become aware of how my mind & body are inseperable and how my mind-body is actually one unit of being. In this discovery I have learned to eliminate mindless chatter & worry by being very observant of my thought life. Also, I do not in any active and ongoing way harbor negative or destructive thoughts about myself or others. When they do pop in I recognize these destructive buggers and just let them go I never cling to them, mull them over or hold onto them because to me it would be like putting manure in my pockets and walking around all day. Pretty soon the 'disturbing thought/manure" would not only be evident to me by holding onto it in private soon the negativity would be evident to others near me and so why hold onto to such a destructive thing...no good can come of it so why waste my energy and result in others not wanting to be around me anymore so why cling to it and harbor these??? It's just not worth it. But I still can improve and this will probobly be a life long strategy.
On a spiritual level I rate myself an 8 because I have come along way in developing the witnessing mind from 3 years ago. I do not always reside in this place of being but I can go there on a moments notice to witness and observe and see where my mind is at in relation to where I need it to be in that moment. The best side effect of doing this is that I have drastically reduced my reactive responses to others and to my own thoughts so much so that very little rattles me. I have never really been one to assume the worst in another however when they (another person) is being sarcastic or disagreeable or angry I now have come to a place where I do not get sucked in to their drama. I calmly observe and then just think to myself 'they are not very evolved' and I let it go... Because I am no better or worse than they are I just have learned a different way. Now I do experience emotions but I let them move through me and when it's over it's over. I used to rehash the event and think 'if I had only said this or done that' well I've learned the re-run of old buisness seldom is productive so I stopped doing it unless some lesson can be pulled from that mess and used.
My phychological wellbeing I rate a 6 because I am still learning about this aspect and don't really know how to rate myself. However, I still think of the world as a 'me in here and others out there' so the unifying the whole, seeing us as one is something I still am working on and learning about and trying to understand but knowing that we are One down to the core of our "I" ness this is helping me gain a new perspective on this...I have more to learn on how to see us, we, them, me as the same, as one. I think our core "I" is all identical in all of us, but our thoughts and emotions and everything that cuases us to move AWAY from that universal central point of being is what causes us to think of ourselves as unique and seperate...I could be wrong and would love to hear what others think about it...
On a spiritual level I rate myself an 8 because I have come along way in developing the witnessing mind from 3 years ago. I do not always reside in this place of being but I can go there on a moments notice to witness and observe and see where my mind is at in relation to where I need it to be in that moment. The best side effect of doing this is that I have drastically reduced my reactive responses to others and to my own thoughts so much so that very little rattles me. I have never really been one to assume the worst in another however when they (another person) is being sarcastic or disagreeable or angry I now have come to a place where I do not get sucked in to their drama. I calmly observe and then just think to myself 'they are not very evolved' and I let it go... Because I am no better or worse than they are I just have learned a different way. Now I do experience emotions but I let them move through me and when it's over it's over. I used to rehash the event and think 'if I had only said this or done that' well I've learned the re-run of old buisness seldom is productive so I stopped doing it unless some lesson can be pulled from that mess and used.
My phychological wellbeing I rate a 6 because I am still learning about this aspect and don't really know how to rate myself. However, I still think of the world as a 'me in here and others out there' so the unifying the whole, seeing us as one is something I still am working on and learning about and trying to understand but knowing that we are One down to the core of our "I" ness this is helping me gain a new perspective on this...I have more to learn on how to see us, we, them, me as the same, as one. I think our core "I" is all identical in all of us, but our thoughts and emotions and everything that cuases us to move AWAY from that universal central point of being is what causes us to think of ourselves as unique and seperate...I could be wrong and would love to hear what others think about it...
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Just a note
Just thought I should let you all know I am having some technical difficulty with posting comments to your comments. I am trying to solve this issue. I have replied via e-mail replies to those of you who have posted...thanks for your patience!
Liz
Liz
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Journey of relaxation excercise
As I listened to the relaxation exercise I found that the music was very helpful in initiating relaxation in me.
Also, as I directed the blood flow & thought the suggestions I found that the results were nearly immediate and my arms and hands became so heavy and warm I was reminded of heavy wet blankets coming out of the drier that is how heavy my arms/hands got. It was very pleasant and when I was asked to try and lift my hands I found I just didn't have any desire too do it and the deep relaxation in each arm-hand would not move from it's state of 'laziness' it was so nice to feel this relaxed.
When the exercise ended and I was asked to return the blood back to it's original place in my abdomen I could feel the rush and subsequent chill as a result of the departure of blood it was pretty awesome!
The warmth was there still yet it was much cooler than when it was filled with all that warm liquid that it caused me to literally shiver. My arms are still relaxed as I type this out. I found this to be a great relaxation exercise.
I have to add I am no stranger to using visualization in obtaining relaxation and that is most likely why I had such great results. I am the only person I know (of my family & friends) who has used visualization. I have used visualization to 'freeze' my body and when my husband felt my skin he wanted to get me a blanket! lol So I know it works!
Great exercise!
Also, as I directed the blood flow & thought the suggestions I found that the results were nearly immediate and my arms and hands became so heavy and warm I was reminded of heavy wet blankets coming out of the drier that is how heavy my arms/hands got. It was very pleasant and when I was asked to try and lift my hands I found I just didn't have any desire too do it and the deep relaxation in each arm-hand would not move from it's state of 'laziness' it was so nice to feel this relaxed.
When the exercise ended and I was asked to return the blood back to it's original place in my abdomen I could feel the rush and subsequent chill as a result of the departure of blood it was pretty awesome!
The warmth was there still yet it was much cooler than when it was filled with all that warm liquid that it caused me to literally shiver. My arms are still relaxed as I type this out. I found this to be a great relaxation exercise.
I have to add I am no stranger to using visualization in obtaining relaxation and that is most likely why I had such great results. I am the only person I know (of my family & friends) who has used visualization. I have used visualization to 'freeze' my body and when my husband felt my skin he wanted to get me a blanket! lol So I know it works!
Great exercise!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Welcome to my Blog
In this journey of self exploration and understanding I have opened myself up to a new way of understanding myself and others more deeply. This is how Compassion is born.
I have discovered that the mind can be a curse or a blessing it all depends upon how the individual uses it.
I have been determined to discover for myself the way of joy, peace & fullfillment in the midst of life. It's not easy but I have found the statement of a wiseman to be 100% true 100% of the time: "ask and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you..."
I have discovered that the mind can be a curse or a blessing it all depends upon how the individual uses it.
I have been determined to discover for myself the way of joy, peace & fullfillment in the midst of life. It's not easy but I have found the statement of a wiseman to be 100% true 100% of the time: "ask and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you..."
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