part 2 unit 9

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.

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.