So, this week I took some time for reflection. I gave thought to which of the past practices worked best for me, which I felt most comfortable with and, above all, which ones I would actually DO in the future. Without a doubt, meditation will be a major instrument in my future! There are so many different tools for me to use and keep the practice 'new and fun'. Along with this, I have a personal goal to become efficient enough to meditate at will. The goal is to be able to take a minute to meditate while waiting for my appointment time, before a presentation or interview, or when a daily stressor has made it necessary for me to slow down and 'breathe a little'. I have been inspired by a fellow classmate's blog. I think she was just kidding, but she said something about having a 'meditation party'. YAY, Mz Carla! Well, it has sparked something in me. The other day, Professor Maule asked me what can be done to change the negative stigma that some people have about meditation. Well, I have decided to have 'meditation parties' with a couple of friends that are not necessarily 'skeptic' about meditation, but more about their success with it. They make comments like "I could never do it right" or "I have trouble focusing long enough" or even, "I don't think it will make a difference in my hectic life". I plan to invite them over for meditation practice in a warm, relaxing room with a light, nutritious 'meal' after. I hope to do this once a week and hopefully have enough interest for two or three get-togethers each week. I am excited!!
Know for being meditation's side-kick, visualization has become my new best friend! I have found so many places that it will benefit me and I know there will be more as the days go by. I am using it in small ways throughout the day to make a difference in the way I see things. When I'm waiting for the light to turn green, I visualize the healthy lunch I will have or how good I will feel while exercising. I use it before an exam or an important meeting. I use it when planning a weekend or how my office will look when I start working in my field. It is very exciting and keeps me motivated to keep moving forward at those times when I'm frustrated or tired.
There are many things that I have learned in the past few weeks, from coursework & classmates alike. I treasure the friends I have made here and look forward to keeping in touch after week 10. We have some awesome tools now that we can use to create our own personal wellness! Fantastic!
I am glad to see that you are using the benefits of meditation to focus on your physical life. The fact that you are spreading the word about the benefits of meditation and visualization is awesome. I think that if more people knew about the integral model, and how to utilize these practices to better yourself, then the world would be a better place. Having physicians that understand the concepts of integral health would make me feel better about going in for a check up. Not only would I be geting checked up on via Western technology, but I would be getting evaluated by someone who has actually experienced a calm-abiding and unity consciousness.
ReplyDeleteDianne,
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see how meditation and visualization has improved your life. Continue to do the practices that give you peace and ultimately good health. I don't know about the meditation parties, but if meditation empowers and encourages you to do better and be your best keep it up.
Denise
Hi Dianne
ReplyDeleteMeditation and visualization are definitely great tools to use on your way to human flourishing. The ones I like best for me right now are the "Subtle Mind" exercise and the "Meeting Aesclepious" exercise. I think that would be cool to be able to meditate at will. That will take some work but I think you will be able to accomplish that. I think the idea of having a "meditation party" is very interesting. It would be great for few friends to get together and meditate in order to get your minds clear and relaxed so that growth can happen. I believe that visualization would be a good thing if I could get it to happen. I had plenty of trouble doing that because I am in the middle of a relapse right now. I had a hard time with that last visualization for the discussion board and that is why I answered another question. I am glad that they are working for you and others in the class. I also look forward to keeping in touch after Unit ten. You are a good friend and I wish we could meet in person some time. Anyway, I could "visualize" that. Thanks for sharing this great post with us!
Take care Dianne
Craig S Aronoff