Hello Everyone. Wow, that was cool. I was actually able to bring to mind a pastor from my church who has long since moved away (over 20 years ago), and he came to mind when guided to seek a "wise" person. He was there for me when I was going through a tough point in my life, but always remained calm and focused. He never said an unkind word to anyone that I know of either. I have not been very regimented on my meditation practices this week as I would like to have been. I did, however, each day, take time out in the middle of the day to be quiet and try to use the witnessing mind technique which did help me to relax and feel calmer about where I was at that moment.
The saying, "one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" is true of meditation and taking the journeys that we have taken through this class. I believe in Ghandi's philosophy that we must be the change we wish to see in the world by setting examples and actually experiencing what we will be teaching. We need to nuture our spiritual and biological selves so that we can have the ability to nuture others.
I will continue to practice these techniques, continue the ongoing growth process in reaching my full potential, and learn to demonstrate loving kindness to as many people as I come in contact with. Those that I do not come in contact with, I will still wish them health and happiness through daily prayer.
Hi Caroline,
ReplyDeleteI actually really enjoyed this week's meditation exercise too. I also brought to mind someone who I saw as a wise person that I haven't been with for about 20 years, but mine was my grandmother who had passed away. Like your pastor, she was always there for me at the tough points in my life, listened with caring, love, patience, and above all always remained calm (unlike my mother!). It just seems as if she always knew the right thing to say. Personally, now that we have learned so much about loving kindness, I would say that she radiated it!
I like the way you expressed your view of the saying from our reading; you certainly described it better than I did! I think it is great to relate it to Ghandi's philosophy as well, that really helped me to put it in a better perspective.
Thanks for another great blogging post! I really do look forward to reading yours each week.
Sandy
I find it so interesting that we all have had different likes and dislikes with these exercises. Like you and Sandy enjoyed this one where as I didn't so much care for it. This drives home the point that integral health/medicine is truly individualized. One thing this class is really teaching me is that what works for one person doesn't always work for another.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you found this exercise helpful. You had someone that you could think of in this situation; for me I did not which made it more difficult for me. I feel like this expression means to walk the walk. I know for myself that I cannot lead integral health because I am not there myself nor do I see myself being there. I find my relaxation from other sources. To each their own right? Good blog post.
ReplyDeleteCaroline,
ReplyDeleteAnytime spent in the mindlful practices of mental awareness and spiritual growth is good. With each insight arises potential new discoveries and less mind chatter. I have realized as well that I must make every conscious effort to develop the four aspects of my life: the psychospiritual, biological, interpersonal, and worldly realms as both a student and health care professional, and dedicate time to do so. I must also remember that “the Integral path is holistic, evolutionary, intentional, person-centered, and dynamic.” (Dacher, 2006) We must harness this holistic view of ourselves and treat others with the same intentions in mind. This will create the change we wish to see in the world.
Reference
Dacher, Elliott. (2006). INTEGRAL HEALTH: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications Press.
I really liked that you used your pastor. I have spoken to our pastors many times, during good times as well as bad times. They have been helpful for me when I need someone to listen and advise from a outsiders point of view. They have guided me with my children, and actually I have been recently speaking with our head priest regarding my eldest son who is almost 22 years-old. This exercise we did I used my grandmother, whom I was very close. She passed away in 1991 and I miss her dearly. When I think of loving-kindness, she is the first person that comes to mind. This exercise left me feeling warm, loved (and ready to share love), relaxed and at peace. I can easily use her as an example of how someone should live their life for others. The exercise, in the beginning spoke of "inner freedom" and "wise healer." I feel that is the perfect explanation for exercise with the visualization of our repected individual. Nice post.
ReplyDelete