Unit 6 Post

In the loving kindness exercise I found the meditation focused on an external view.  Similar to envisioning the state we are in as well as the state others are in and focusing your energy to help those around you as well as yourself.  The integral assessment focused on an internal evaluation of oneself finding the aspect of one’s life which requires immediate attention, then, maintenance of that area then finding the next which requires additional attention.  I learned in the exercises I do not focus enough attention spiritually on those around me and in myself.  Recently have I focused spiritual attention on those around me and myself.  Since doing so, I have noticed a positive difference in both others and my condition.  I have decided to focus more on loving kindness meditation utilizing psychospiritual energy to reinforce other aspects of my life.  I can’t say why I chose this other than it makes sense to me as this area of my life feels unbalanced.  Thank you for reading and I look forward to your posts. 

Aaron

Unit 5 Post

This week I listened to both audios (Loving Kindness and Subtle Mind).  The Subtle Mind audio seemingly put me in a trance to where I was aware of everything around me, but in a dream state which was wonderful every time until it ended and it seemed like I was being ripped out of a dream.  However, the Loving Kindness audio continues to perplex me.  I relax and let the audio be my guide, but I feel as though my emotions are behind a blast door which simply will not open.  Though I do have people in my life I love dearly, I simply cant seem to connect with what the audio is directing.  In the past couple of weeks I have suffered from massive physical ailments.  To tell the truth, just the ideas this course was proposing caused me to regress into a proverbial cave, afraid to what doors may open if I implemented the ideas proposed.  However, I have come to terms with my fears and my physical ailments are subsiding as tread closer and closer to fully acclimating myself to concepts of spiritual, mental and physical wellness.  Thank you for reading

                Aaron

Unit 4 Post

One of the most difficult issues with this exercise was finding a place where I would not be disturbed and could be at peace for 15 minutes.  After reading and listening to the recordings I attempted to implement what I learned.  I found this very difficult.  I have a difficult time trying to understand and express what it is that I feel.  I also found it very difficult to understand what others feel.  When I attempt to ask how I feel, I didn’t know, and could not focus.  I felt as though my mind was asking me why I wanted to know Then, when I attempted to feel what others felt, I fell short.  I could understand or comprehend what others feel or felt.  I became irritated, and frustrated.  Then I discovered what it was, negative energy, I am surrounded by those who a generating large volumes of negative energy.

A mental workout is similar to a physical workout, but one is working out the mind in the sense of expanding consciousness.  Research indicates according to Dacher, we can “evolve our psychospiritual life and access its capacities and resources” with daily practice.  One should practice daily for at least 5 minutes but optimally for 15 minutes to achieve progression. 

Aaron

Unit 3 Post

Now these are some deep questions of which the answers for me would be more or less on a sliding scale depending on the day and the weather it seems.  So, let me start off with this on how I rate my physical.  Today, it would be at an overall 6, I feel ok, but I am noticing some relapses for a couple of surgeries I underwent a couple of years back as pain and other symptoms are now beginning to recur.  Spiritual, I would currently say a solid 9 as I am steadying myself for retirement and have high hopes for a better future.  Psychological, I would say, 7; though I am extremely concerned with the physical issues resurfacing, I feel as though I will once again overcome them as I have previously and hopeful I don’t have to repeat the same recoveries as I did before.

For my goals, I intend to keep up with the integral forms of physical therapies and am hopeful to keep my pain in a manageable state.  Additionally, I intend to not only reestablish but to maintain a strong emotional connection with my wife and family post retirement and graduation.  Hopefully, by shedding the stress and pressure of my current occupation and enter into civilian life with a third degree, I feel comfortable gaining long term, agreeable employment and rebuild a social network both with family and friends the years of service have severed. 

So, after listening to the audio recording, I became very agitated.  I wanted to relax, but the more I tried, the more the rest of my life invaded like a massive sea swelling over me and keeping me from releasing and letting go.  If, I was able to actually connect with the recording fully, I feel as though it would have been beneficial, but in my current state which is extremely hectic as well as medication induced, I find it almost painful to relax with the exercise.

Thank you for reading my post.

Aaron

Unit 2 Relaxation Blog

Hello everyone, welcome to my blog.  I am not to confident about this method and media of posts, so I will apologize in advance for brevity and apprehension, so please bear with me.

I wont lie, when I listened to this MP3, within the first few moments I fell asleep and woke up several hours later with my laptop still open in my lap.  However, I felt a sense of complete rest when I awoke better than I have had in a while other than a sore neck. 

I look forward to future posts and hearing from any of you who choose to follow me.  Thank you for reading.

Aaron