Hello Dr. Johnson and Class,
I completed the loving-kindness meditation in our book. I found it to be soothing and relaxing. It continues to amaze me what 10 minutes of focused and calming thoughts and words will do for my mood and stress levels. Before the exercise I was irritated from a long day of work and by the end it went away and now I am more focused on completing my tasks for the end of Unit 6. Amazing.
The integral assessment was also a very focused exercise for me and one I will continue to explore for the next few weeks. For me personally, I found currently my interpersonal aspect of my life is a source of difficulty. I am going through a lot of personal pain right now and my inner self is not healthy and in balance. I am an emotional mess and it is permeating all aspects of my life. This is also the area that I have identified for growth. I think if I focus on this aspect, much of the pain and stress will subside. By correcting my interpersonal strife I will become better in all areas of my life. I have always taken pride in my seemingly perfectly balanced life so this patch of unknown distress is really tough. I know in the long run I will return to an inner peace, but for now I must be cognizant of improving and growing.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, meditation is an exercise that I still am learning but will be a valuable tool to returning to a balanced inner self. Daily exercise has always been a constant for me, but is even more important now as an outlet and source of relief. I would also like to include tai chi and yoga to my weekly routine.
- Randy
Hi Randy,
ReplyDeleteI also found the universal loving kindness exercise to be soothing. It is a rough time for me too, but I think the lessons in this class have helped tremendousely. Fine tuning aspects of the integral assessment could not have come at a more needed time. "May you gain freedom from suffering, May you find sustained health, happiness and wholeness." (Dacher 2006)
Hi Randy,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed both exercises. I was able to reach deep into myself and admit to myself what I really and am struggling with. The loving-kindness exercise allowed me to see a totally different side of myself that I knew was there but just was afraid to express. I am a very closed in person and I put a wall up so no one will know that I do have a soft side and that I do hurt too. My life is a constant struggle and I am working each and everyday to make things better for me and my family. These exercises are helping me to acomplish these goals.