The mindfulness way to spiritual wellness (Unit 7)

For this week, I used a variety of meditative practices.  Each one served its own purpose in my focus on increases psychological and spiritual wellness.  Some were planned, and some were called upon spur of the moment at a time of need.  First, I took some time to complete the meeting Aesclepius exercise.  This exercise was an interesting experience for me.  It is an exercise I would like to try a few times, but with different focal individuals in order to see if I have a different experience.  I did enjoy spending time focusing on my father, who I chose as the focal point, but I found it difficult to keep my mind focused because I wasn’t sure what I should be focusing in regards to him.  I also used the subtle mind exercise several times though out the week.  I tend to have an active mind and I enjoy the calmness and the focus I can achieve from the subtle mind exercise.  In fact, the other night I was lying in bed, trying to get tired and my mind was racing.  I stopped myself, started the subtle mind practice, and was able to clear my head and sleep peacefully within 10 minutes.  Another mindfulness exercise I utilized this week was reframing.  I like to use this practice in order to gain control of emotional situations and focus on the positive.  All of these things help me to be in a better place psychologically and spiritually, which in turn fosters greater health and wellness.

One of my goals for this journey is to feel my way through the many aspects of wellness and find a future career for myself.  The saying “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” has significant meaning for me personally because that is how I feel about finding a new career.  I want to help people improve their health and wellness but I feel like I need to take the journey myself in order to set an example, speak from experience, and be a better supporter of others.  I believe that the best person to teach or lead another is someone who has been there.  That does not mean that everyone has to follow the same path, but someone with experience and an open mind can provide guidance and support.  Another example of this is with teaching.  I have found professors who have served their entire lives in academia as knowledgeable, intelligent individuals.  However, the professors who have real life experience from a non-academic environment have given me additional insight, support, and perspective that the others cannot.  I believe there is a continued obligation to clients, regardless of industry or subject, for the ‘teacher’ to continue developing.  Life is a process and a journey, reaching the end is the end of life.  As long as we continue the journey, we continue living.