Unit 8

The first practice I found to be beneficial is the Subtle Mind.  As I read Dacher and he talks about the vastness of the mind and I think about all the things that go through my mind I find this to be the most beneficial for me.  I found my mind was so busy with thoughts about everything.  I could not calm it down or stay focused on one thing too long.  The thoughts began to invade my sleep and I developed insomia.  So, I found my mind to be uncontrollable, I thought.  If I practice the witnessing mind, acknowledge and let go, and choose where our attention and thoughts go, it can lead to calm abiding.  Calm abiding the mind is tame, and intention replaces reacting, and wisdom replaces confusion, which then leads to unity consciousness, the final step toward psychospiritual flourishing.  This can This can help with lovingkindness.  If you are continousnessly confused and reacting instead of deacting you will not know youself or able to practice loving-kindness.  I am a compassionate person, but because of stress it has been all about me, and that stressed me more.  Being able to calm down I am able to be myself and be see myself again and practice the love and passion I have for people.  Integral practice leads to unity consciousness, and unity consciousness leads to subtle mind, which brings out our loving-kindness and wisdom.  (Dacher, 2006)

The second one is Visualization.  I find that visualization helps me through a lot of things.  I first realized this in my first class at Kaplan, called Academic Strategies.  The class helped me to recall how visualizing can calm me down.  Specifically during test taking.  I can know the answers and freeze when it come to taking the test.  When I started to visualize I was on a tropical island, (creative visualization) with beautiful blue green waters and a water fall with white sand, and all colors of foliage, tamed animals, as I was layiing in a hammock watching the cloudless blue sky and fish of all colors swimming in the waters, I began to do better on my tests.  I have all ready implemented both of these practices in my life because of the stress of sick family members, school, vandalizism, and trying to keep my house.  I know that these items have helped me tremendously, but prayer has kept me.  I am so grateful to have taken this class.  I had no idea what it was about and that I would need it now!  I visualize being grateful for the people in my life and I am able to assist. Being grateful to see them prosper mentally and physically in life, after all that is what I believe we are here for to help others and in the process, and don't forget to help yourself.  Visualization can help human flourishing, which is health, happiness, and wholeness.  (Dacher, 2006)

~Retta

Dacher, E. S. (2006). Interal health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.