Unit 6 Loving-Kindness

Hello All,
I found the loving kindness practice to be quite rewarding and simple to do. I found it helpful when sitting in traffic, standing in line at the bank, or entering an overcrowded supermarket. (Gotta love tourist season!) All healing practices speak of the power of the open heart (as does the bible.) Positive energy gains positive energy and then radiates positive energy!!! Possibilities!
The integral assessment was very eye opening. I discovered I need to work on my interpersonal skills, I do good at work, and then don't go anywhere else to interact. Also, I need to increase level of fitness and work toward mindful nutrient food habits.
My integral practice implementation process will start slowly with meditation in the morning (before anything else), with witnessing-mind practice and calm-abiding. I walk about 50 minutes a day, during these walks I will practice focused breathing and being present, oneness with nature and earth.  I will also have a chance to practice the mini-practice of universal loving-kindness during the day at work.
We can only succeed if we first begin.

Stay Well,
Becky

Unit 5 Loving Kindness vs. The Subtle Mind

I found the subtle Mind practice very difficult. My mind wonders a lot and I had to focus on the breathing more than not!! I feel the loving-kindness practice is more beneficial for me. I can concentrate on loved ones, and then out towards others (in general.)
Spiritual wellness is connected to our mind and ultimately to our body. (body, mind, spirit).  As we learn to still the mind and "experience" life, without trying to control our "chattering" minds, we learn to just experience our mind. We begin to realize the true gift of life and we are not in complete control, and we can then accept and "experience" the life we were given. Then our minds can let go off worry, anxiety, and stress, which helps our physical body to stay well.

Stay well all,
Becky

The Power of Prayer

Away from home and family...
Unemployment exhausted with No extensions...
No job leads....
Ready to pack it up...
Then I said this Prayer

St. Jude Novena
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be Adored, Glorified, Loved and Preserved
throughout the world now and forever.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
St. Jude, Worker of Miracles, pray for us.
-say this prayer 9 times a day. By the 8th day your prayers will be answered.
-It has never been known to fail.
(Publication must be promised.)
Thank you St. Jude. R.M.

On the 8th day I walked into a Kangaroo quick mart to get milk, with no previous intention of asking for a job. The woman working seemed busy (hectic) and the words just came out of my mouth. I asked if they were hiring, "do you need help?"
She told me to apply on-line and within 24 hours I was called for an interview.
I start training for the job July 21.   Praise be to God!!!!

HOPE

HOPE---Heavenly Optimistic Power to Endure all!! <3

Thought for today

Our attitudes toward Life, determines Life's attitudes towards  us!!........(saw this on a plaque.)

Happy attitude to you All! :-}

Loving Kindness Unit 4

Well unfortunately everything is Not well at "Allswell"...........
But still have hope....
600 miles from home...
Somehow thought it would be less difficult to find a job in Health Care/ Medical Assisting here in "retire town"......
3 months and 1 week, still No job.......
unemployment ran out, with No extensions.....
But on the "Bright" side....this is an excellent class to be taking at this time...
Loving-Kindness
As I listened to the tape it was very relaxing and easy to feel loving-kindness toward myself, my son and granddaughter( who is having a bit more trouble than I), and then toward others. I am thankful, that although I feel "beat down" I am very blessed. I do have a loving family to go home to, and my poor mom will be happy to take me in, "Praise be to God!"
As I practiced Loving-kindness I realize there are so many people worse off than I, and I do pray for them.
This practice does shift the mind off self and self-centered worries.
I truly believe God has the plan and wherever He leads me I will be fine.
I would recommend this practice to everyone---you need to commit to the practice everyday. It works for me to do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. In the evening I do this practice with my ritual of a "hot bubbly bath", combined with belly-breathing and imagining with every out-breath tension, worries, and stress of the day is washed away with the relaxing hot bubbles!!! Awesome.Then I project those feelings outward toward others who are suffering.

"Mental Workout" is to intentionally focus our attention inward. Just as we make the choice to workout our bodies everyday, we must also make the choice to workout our minds everyday. By contemplative practices of loving-kindness and the subtle mind we gradually let go of self-centered worries and anxieties, which allows us to truly care about others.
Research shows that a mental training may result in long-term changes in the brain, like synchronization of gamma waves and reduces disturbing emotions that cause anger, hate,fear, worry, anxiety, and confusion. Contemplatives are shown to experience more happiness, patience,openness, and compassion.

Wishing you All Well from "Allswell"
Keep you head up and your mind healthy!!

Relaxation

Today I listened to the relaxation link again. The first time I tried, I could not think of anything besides the man talking. Today was somewhat easier, however I do better by first being instructed and then going through the steps on my own.
As I sit on my porch, close my eyes, enjoy the bird's soft sounds, I was then able to direct the feeling of blood flow. I pictured it going to my neck--since this is where I hold tension. It was very relaxing.
I make a point of spending 15 minutes in the morning to just sit quietly, before thinking on anything that arises in the day.
Happy Relaxing to all of you!! :-}