Unit 8

The two practices I found most beneficial was the loving kindness and the subtle mind practice. The loving kindness is a great way to feel loving kindness toward yourself as well as others in your life. A easy way to implement this in my daily life is to practice the shorter version which is the universal loving kindness when I feel frustrated by another. For example if someone cuts in front of you in a line, taking a minute to repeat the phrases can help expand my heart and act with kindness. The other one is the subtle mind which really helped me relax and to focus my mind on what really matters. This practice allows me to act with intent after choosing which thoughts I want to act on. It also can help to ensure I live in the current moment rather than always having my mind racing in many directions.

Leslie

Unit 7

Asclepius is a wise healer that lives in each of us, our inner healer. The idea is great as I can see thinking of someone who is wise and realizing all the qualities that I admire in them I can have within myself. I did find it hard to picture the beams of lights coming from them and becoming them. I don't want to become someone else just a better version of me. I like mindfulness and meditation and they can both better help me realize the wise qualities in myself. Mindfulness and meditation can help me slow down and take stock of where I am and different ways to improve. It can help me reduce stress and act with intent. I can continue meditating twice a day.
The statement "one cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" means it is hard to teach anything that we ourselves have not mastered. This is very valuable in the health and wellness field as so many people rely on traditional medicine and in order to have them practice integral health it is important that we practice this ourselves in order to be credible. We owe it. Ot only to our clients but to ourselves to be developed in every area. We can implement psychological and spiritual growth by making it a part of our everyday lives.

Leslie

Unit 6

I really enjoyed the universal loving kindness exercise. The practice of expanding the loving kindness was easy and made me feel that way through most of the day. It only takes 10 minutes and can be done anywhere. For example when being frustrated in traffic it is a nice thing to repeat and helps me to feel empathy toward others. It was a relaxing exercise and made me feel connected.
The assessment was a little confusing as it was much more involved. There are places in each area I would like to develop but the one I am willing to share is the biological. Although I am active and walk or use the treadmill or exercise bike I need to have a program for fitness that works on strength training. Strength training is an important as women age for bone strength and weight management. I can join a gym and work with a personal trainer to get a program that works for me.

Leslie

Unit 5

The subtle mind exercise was easier, at least the first part. I found it easy to be aware of the thoughts and but to return to the breathing. I felt my whole body relax when doing this exercise. The loving kindness was easy at first feeling that feeling I have for my daughter but harder to think of everyone in that. The subtle mind exercise has many benefits such as stress relief, staying in the present moment and choosing which thoughts to act on and acting with intent. This will benefit all relationships both personal and professional. It will take much more practice to get to the part where I can explore the still mind. I found that part harder and distracting.
Spiritual wellness is a way to develop further and the connection to mental and physical wellness is clear as spiritual wellness moves us from outer to inner and connects us to the world and each other.

Unit 4

This was a great exercise and one that will be easy to implement every day. I think it is a great way to start my day so I have been doing it first thing in the morning as well as before going to bed. It is easy to let the great love have for my daughter fill my heart and the first step allows that feeling to take place to move on to the next step. Becoming aware of the body and the thoughts that pass through the mind is a little harder as it is easy to start thinking about other things. I also found it hard to think of a loved ones suffering without it worrying me but the exercise can show us how to help rather than just worry about them. Expanding the loving kindness to all is a great way to feel connected. I don't feel I have any enemies but it is hard to expand kindness to those in the world who are truly evil.

The concept of a mental workout is to access all of the brains capabilities and resources to evolve out psychospiritual life. As with any workout it takes practice and consistency to get to and remain in a state where we are flourishing. There are proven benefits to mentally working out such as a positive outlook as well as a positive impact on attention and memory. It will also help during times of adversity in dealing with any issues that may arise. Scheduling time each day to workout both physically and mentally is key to a flourishing mind and body.