Unit 8

1st Exercise/Pratice Dasher page 144-145. I choose this practice because during and afterwards I felt loved, at peace, warm, protected, and grateful. I remember things from my past and thought about my future. I had no negative thoughts, I just only thought of the postive that has gone on in my life. It made me completley grateful for my life. I just recently did this exercise so I still feel these feelings after. I hope to continue to practice this exercise throughout my life. Maybe new memories will come throughout my life. I believe this is a great practice becuase most people focus on the negative parts of their lives, I work to much, my family stresses me out, I had a bad childhhod, etc. This practice lets you visualize the good in your life, even if you cannot find something good it allows you to make something up. I still believe that making something up will open up your mind to what you want in life and hopefully go in that direction. I however believe that no matter who you are there is always a few good points in your life. This book just really makes being human a good point. Mental fitness is something I never thought much about until recently. Now that I have experience some of the benefits of training the mind, I know I will continue practicing. I have already started to build my meditation library after this class is over. I plan to take at least 10 minutes every night and meditate. I believe this is a good starting point and I can really build on this. I will also refer back to this practice throughout my life. I find that I want to feel all these feelings that this practice offers. I do not want to go throuh life with negative emotions. I want to better myself, people around me, and enjoy life to the fullest. I believe that mental fitness is one of the keys to doing this. 2nd Exercise/Practice Loving Kindness is the other practice I choice. I have never felt more relaxed than when I did this practice. The water/ocean sounds might have played a big part in this as well. I love the sound of water, I love the ocean it brings me great peace. But this practice was one of the first that I have done where felt that I truely was able to let go over everything. It was a awesome feeling. I beleive this experience has helped me determine if meditation/mental training is something I can accually do. Know that I know I can actually practice, even for a short time, that I can continue this on into my life. Again I have already started thinking about after class and what to do from there. I recently signed up for yogadownload.com and this site has over 400 different yoga, pilates, and meditation classes. I workout at home so this is perfect. I plan on setting up an area in my basement where I can go and close the door and practice in a peacful setting. I have also signed up for 10 classes at a bikram yoga studio. I love this practice. I find it challenges your mind and body. Afterwards I feel like I could rule the world! I also think that if I every get stressed at work or in a situation I will be able to refer back to one of these practices and calm myself. Taking some deep breathes and removing my mind from that moment, at least for a few breathes.