Unit 5 - The Subtle Mind

1.    Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.

I really, really enjoyed the Subtle Mind exercise.  It certainly did take intention and effort to quiet my mind.  Initially, I felt slightly light-headed from the deep breathing.  But as I felt my mind calm and I focused on my breath I became very comfortable and relaxed.  The Loving Kindness exercise began focused on a love directed towards the self, then the remainder turned the focus to others.  This focus on others I really appreciated and felt much benefit from sending healing and wholeness out to my daughter and others.  But, the Subtle Mind turned the mind sharply off and completely quieted it.  I felt about four completely quiet and empty moments that were total bliss for my mind.  I hope as I continue this exercise I will experience more and more of these moments.  I have enjoyed both of these exercises and will continue them both.

2.    Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.

When we obtain spiritual wellness we have found a connection to something larger than ourselves.  Tapping into this force encourages mental and physical wellness and to have a balance in our lives.  I feel the strongest connection to my spiritual self when I am in nature, when I deprive myself of this spiritual connection, I can see the affects on my mental wellness in depression, frustration, and anxiety.  Physically I will become lazy and sedentary if I become imbalanced in the other areas of wellness.  It is important to acknowledge all of our aspects of wellness in order to achieve integral health.