Subtle Mind

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

            I liked the Loving Kindness exercise, but it was a bit overwhelming and was hard to take on others pain or worry. It was also hard to understand fully how that would help others, but I can see how I could dissolve my pain or worry in my heart. I feel for me praying for others works the best for me instead of trying to take on their discomfort. I like the Subtle mind exercise because it reminds me of when I gave birth to my kids. I was taught how to focus on my breathing to help relieve some of the pain and discomfort of labor pains. It helped me so much and I would highly recommend it to others. I was able to learn how to stay focus on my breath. I do not do it as often in my daily life, but there are times I do feel like I need a “time out” so I feel that breathing really helps me to refocus and calm down. I also enjoyed that there was less talking in this exercise. I have a hard time when there are a lot of instructions because I feel that I have a hard time turning off my mind and it is hard to focus on the exercise.

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

            I feel that spiritual wellness is very important in order to experience the full benefits of the mental and physical wellness. I work our a lot, so I feel that my physical wellness is strong, but I feel week in the mental and spiritual area. I have a relationship with God and even though not everyone relates his or her spiritual wellness through a relationship with God that is how I see my spiritual wellness. When I feel weak in this area I have a hard feeling strong mentally and even physically. When I am praying, trusting God, and letting go of things to him I feel weak, anxious, depressed, and even mad sometimes. When I am really focused on my spiritual wellness I feel strong, happy, and peaceful.