Meeting Asciepius

I must admit I rushed through this exercise. I did it just to get it done. I know later I will do it again when I can be more focused. So of course just like the previous one I had a more difficult time focusing. I have so much going on I dont think I ever can focus. I only focus on my tasks for the day rather than on the tasks that will help me to relax to make it through the day. Then again I just think that I haven't found the right method for me that works the best and is the most effective. Maybe doing these exercises more will teach me to focus and slow down. I take time for myself when I can but obviously that is not enough. These exercises I know can be very effective but I just need to learn how to do them so they work for me. Just as many of my fellow classmates have said it is all a work in progress.

A Subtle Mind

I did not get to hear the ntire exercise because something was faulty in my disc but I did get to do part of the exercise and I can say that this was not an easy exercise for me. In the loving-kindness exercise I was able to be more focused and more direct with my thinking. In this exercise I think there was too much going on focusing on my breathing did not help me. It was like being in labor again and thinking how does breathing help to relax. It did not work then and it did not work this time for me. I think I find other ways relax than focusing on my breathing. Because it is not something that I am always aware that I am dong I guess it was hard to focus on the rhythm of breathing.

My mind runs 3 miles a minute. It is hard to slow down when you have so much to do. I guess I need to do this exercise more in order to learn how to control my thoughts. I'm less in control than I thought. My mnd wondered onto other things and away from the exercise. These exercises are beneficial though. You learn a lot about yourself and your way of thnking. It also helps to open up your senses and make you aware of the things and people around you.

Loving-Kindness

Not sure about you but this was not too effective for me. I guess it is hard for me to focus on my emotions for someone else when I have so much going on myself. It was relaxing though. I prefer to hear music in the background than the sounds of the ocean. Ocean noises really don't tickle my fancy. I guess I need to work on connecting my feelings to others. Maybe that's why some people think I can be so mean at times...LOL.

Just like our bodies we have to workout our minds as well. The benefits of working out improves health, increases muscle strength and flexibility, and just makes you feel good all over. working out the mind makes room for more thoughts, alleviates the wasteful thoughts, and relaxes the soul. Since the brain is basically the command center for the body, when it is relaxed then the body is relaxed.

I think I need to do more mental workouts. My brain is always going 5 miles a minute when I am still only traveling at the pace of 1 mile a minute. Mental workouts will help me to slow down and be more focused. One big improvement that will be beneficial to me would be more restful nights of sleep. When I sleep sometimes it seems like my brain never shuts off. Then the next day I can barely function because I did not get enough rest and my brain continues to run throughout my day. Boy do I need a mental workout right now.