Unit 8 Practices

Of all the exercises we’ve practiced so far in the course, the two exercises I find most beneficial are the subtle-mind and the visualization exercise. I like loving-kindness exercises too, but just not the one we first practiced with envisioning someone suffering (weird!). I find the subtle mind exercise beneficial because it has helped me personally with dealing with attention issues and anxiety. I am able to concentrate better, be less stressed or anxious, and I also sleep better when I do it at night. On the contrary though, I actually have learn to use the subtle mind practice to clear my mind and energize me. The visualization exercise is beneficial because I can use the feelings from happiness, wholeness, and health to create a sense of wellbeing today. I don’t just use past memories like the book example said to “think of a time when”, I like to make up new thoughts.

I can continue to implement these exercises in my life by when I am feeling stress, anxiety, or a cluttered mind I can stop and take the time to meditate with these exercises to continue "mental fitness". A specific example would be how I tend to overanalyze my relationships with guys in my head sometimes. I think about “Do I really want this”, “Is this right”, “I don’t think I want to get married now, or maybe ever” along with other thoughts, but instead of worrying about where my relationship is going I meditate with subtle mind to allow my mind just to be still and not worry. After I do so, I feel better and realize I need to live moment to moment and follow my heart. The visualization exercise is good for when I want to envision a positive outcome for myself or for someone else. For example, if I am feeling ill, I can use visualization to think of when I am feeling happiness, wholeness, and health so that I may focus on those feelings rather than being tired, sore, sick, feverish, etc.