Unit 5 The Subtle Mind

The Loving Kindness exercise retrains the mind to overcome all forms of negativity. It brings about positive attitudinal changes as the meditation systematically develops the quality of loving-acceptance. In this way, it acts as a form of self-psychotherapy, a way of healing the troubled mind to free it from its pain and confusion.  It is the act of letting go of all forms of negativity and directing your attitude towards an open mind of friendliness for all those you encounter.

The subtle mind exercise is more focused on a breathing technique to help you understand how the mind thinks. This exercise shows you how to use the body to benefit the mind as well.  There are three levels of the subtle mind.  The witnessing mind which will tame and stabilize the mind to stop to make choices about what we are thinking and moving us in the direction of having a calm abiding consciousness.  Then we are moved to a unity consciousness. With the breathing exercise we are witnessing what the mind is thinking and learning how to let it go.  I kind of look at it as when you’re having a bad dream and you feel like it is real, you can sometimes take control of it and wake yourself up to get out of the dream.

My experience with these exercises was something that I had to try a few times.  I believe that it takes time to get the true feeling that we want to discover in these exercises.  I was able to get a little feeling of understanding through the exercise based off of what I read and what is to be expected more than anything.  I wasn’t frustrated at all however I do plan to make it my business to try these exercises more often.

The connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness is that they are all dimensions of wellness.

Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives and being open to diverse multi cultural beliefs and backgrounds.  Having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, gratefulness and fulfillment help you enjoy your spiritual health.

Mental wellness focuses on the acceptance of your emotions and feelings. It is influenced by biological factors which changes in the central nervous system, medications illness and family history.  It is also influenced by social environments such as losses, traumatic events, stress and low economic status.  An individual who has mental wellness maintains a healthy and satisfying relationship built on understanding and being able to express emotions.  Physical activity, good nutrition, adequate sleep and rest, optimistic attitude and stress reduction all promote mental wellness as well.

Physical wellness is the ability to apply your knowledge, motivation, commitment, behavior, self management, attitude, and skills toward achieving your personal fitness and health goals.

These dimensions all have an impact on how I feel in relations to myself and others.  I am learning how important it is to love myself and heal myself from all negativity.  Learning to witness the mind to a calm abiding conscious and unity consciousness is preparing me for a future of good health and wellness.