Unit 4: Mental Workout for Peace of Mind

     My experience during this exercise was very moving.  At first I found it difficult to get into the zone, but as my thoughts became at ease, so did my mind and my spirit began to give way.  I found myself repeating, "I take in your suffering and as it dissolves in my heart, I give you health, happiness and wholeness."  This was a very beneficial exercise for me because I felt through this exercise, I was truly able to let go.  I would recommend this exercise to others because I feel it is a great exercise in Integral healing.  The concept of a mental workout is the practice in which you first take control of the mind, just to let it go and let all be, within and without.  Proven benefits of a mental workout are the ability to train the mind as well as accept the world as it is, knowing that once you find peace within, harmony will find you.  Awhile I go I found this urge to write on my wall, "Respect the Earth, Respect Yourself. Find peace within and harmony will find you".  I feel that I have become connected to myself again through this exercise of letting go and taking in the hurt of all those around you.  When it asked me to picture someone's hurting, and to take it in and dissolve it within my heart, I pictured my dad.  This is because on Dec. 30 it will be two years since my older brother committed suicide, which was very unexpected.  I always feel weird saying this because I feel that it a sort of weakness or something, I don't know.  But through this exercise I felt myself taking in the hurt of my dad, dissolving it in my heart, and sending him genuine health, happiness and wholeness.  I hope it works :)

Unit 3: Wellness

1. Based on my reflections, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate my:
1. physical well-being = 7 because although I am in a healthy BMI range and am physically active, I have not been participating in jogging exercises that I know I am fully capable of.  I participate in daily activities like lunges and pushups and hiking, but not to the level that I know I am able to.
2. spiritual well-being = 9 because I am very in tune with myself and my surroundings.  I feel that I am connected to something much larger than myself, but I am not at a full 10 because I am aware that I do not know everything and that there is always room to grow.  I find that I am most at peace when in nature, occasionally meditating in nature's muse.
3. psychological well-being = 8 because I am happy on most days and find pleasure in daily activities, I am comfortable in silence and feel in tune with myself.
2. Goals for myself in each area are:
1. physical well-being = to commit to jogging at least 2 times a week for 30 minutes plus the physical activities that I already do.  A way that I can accomplish this is by running 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back either on the streets or the hiking trails.
2. spiritual well-being = to meditate 4 times a week for at least 5 minutes.  Any time of day or night will do. Ways that I can accomplish this is by sitting outside by my pond, sitting in my room, outside my house on the bench, under a near by tree, on a hiking trail, etc.. this list goes on.
3. Psychological well-being = to free write and/or write poetry for 3 minutes time every other day.  Ways that I can accomplish this are much like the above.  In my room, in the backyard on a chair, on the hiking trails, under a near by tree, in my car, etc.
3. This experience was very beneficial to me.  I was able to completely relax my body and my mind.  I was able to see most of the colors that he advised me to focus on, especially the emerald green and aqua blue.  I will definitely use this meditation to help me center myself in times of stress.

Unit 1: Intro

Hi Class, my name is Shauna and I am currently enrolled in Kaplan University to get my B.A. in Nutritional Sciences focusing on Dietetics.  I am taking this course, Creating Wellness, because I am intrigued by the psychological and spiritual aspects of not only healing, but of self-awareness, acceptance and the power of meditation.  I am addicted to the feelings that arise from such a movement and find nature to play a key role in my interconnectedness to the Universe and its diverse people.  I am new to blogging, but I am sure I will get the hang of it as this course goes on.  I am excited to read everyone's blogs to incorporate new perspectives on the beauty of life as well as to better my own perspective.  Happiness is best when shared and I look forward to conversing with you all :)

-Shauna

Unit 2

Hello everyone!  I have had trouble understanding the concept of this blog so I apologize for such a late response.  Anyway, I truly enjoyed the exercise this week of meditation "Journey of Relaxation".  I have been on a family vacation over this unit and have found it hard to complete all my necessary school work this unit :/.  This has brought me much stress and sense of disappointment in myself.  This meditative relaxation brought me back to peace with myself.  I found it interesting muscle tension is the number one place of stress.  Through this relaxation technique I was amazed at how easily my body surrendered to the voice and sounds creating a warm and heavy feeling within my body.  The heaviness however brought me to comfort within my body and brought me great calmness and peace of mind.  My arms and hands became warm creating a tingling sensation and actually relieved my stressed out mind.  I will share this meditation with my friends and family because the stressed, upset feeling that I had at the beginning of meditation was completely replaced with love, harmony, peace and interconnection to the present moments.

-Shauna