Unit 7 Meeting Aesclepius

Well folks,

Lets explore what's on my mind after completing the exercise for unit 7...Meeting Aesclepius.

This exercise has been a very real and meaningful experience for me. I laid down and allowed my mind to calm and quiet itself, having no idea what the exercise would have me focus on. When it said to think of a wise person, I had a few ideas to choose from, but I went with my Grandma Novella.  Grandma Novella and Grandpa Bigson were not my father's biological parents, they were actually his aunt and uncle, but they did raise my father until he was 15 years old and he referred to them as "mom and dad." After my father met his real mother, he still called Novella and Bigson "mom and dad" so as children, we called them Grandma and Grandpa.

I used Grandma Novella as my person of choice because she lived to be 85 years old and was the most kind, unselfish woman I had ever met. She never cursed, raised her voice, or had anything negative to say about anyone. Grandma Novella and Uncle Bigson couldn't have children so they were always taking in the kids of the community. Because there were 7 of us siblings, she stayed busy catering to us. She'd make cakes, biscuits, and other kinds of sweets and gave them away at will. After she got too old to cook, she recruited my mother and myself to help her with her recipes. Because Grandma Novella passed away over 10 years ago, it was hard to picture her face in my mind because I wanted to focus on the times before she got sick. She was a short fragile looking woman, but boy was she strong! Once I had her image in my head, it was easy to envision taking her essence and making it my own. The part where I had to take her essence into myself was a moving experience. I took a deep breath and allowed her white light to permeate my body and I know I inhaled for about 45 seconds! That is a long time for me, I'll tell ya! And when I was done inhaling, I felt full of her spirit.

Doing these exercises each week has gotten easier and easier for me. I know that I relax the best and the quickest when I am in a quiet room...namely,  my son's room...and I like the window open so I can hear the birds singing. If its raining outside, that's even better. After a few minutes, my mind is calm and I'm ready to take on the new exercise. Doing these mindfulness exercises has really calmed me overall. I am not as anxious or irritated. My patience level has risen dramatically and I dont harbor hostile or damaging thoughts as much as I used to. I definitely believe these mindfulness exercises will be a part of my daily life forever.

The statement "one cannot lead another where one has not gone him or herself" is a direct reflection on the experience of the teacher. One cannot teach from a superficial level. Instead they must delve deeper into the core of their respective practice. You can't know every intricate detail of something unless you've experienced it for yourself. Earlier in the semester there was a discussion asking if it was possible for a practitioner to teach something that he or she has not experienced first hand. Initially I said that it was possible given the practice and the practitioners ability to communicate.

Now, the more I think about it, and with regards to the above quote, I think that there are definitely some things that MUST be experienced first hand to properly understand and explain it. I think that even though we all may claim a particular religion, we can all have the same spirituality, meaning that though we call our individual Gods by a different name, we are all connected to a higher power. We all have a purpose that we should explore if we desire to be a whole person.

Depending on what profession I decide to pursue, I believe it will definitely involve clients, either on a individual level, or group level. If that's the case, I owe it to them to understand my own spirituality and to be at peace, or have a comfortable level of awareness about my physical and psychological well being. How can I convince someone to love themselves, accept themselves, and appreciate themselves, if I don't follow my own advice?

I can implement psychological and spiritual growth by reading my text books...and not just during the term, but afterwards, to reiterate the steps. I can also continue with my meditation and mindfulness exercises. After doing this exercise, I told my husband about it and suggested that he try it sometime today. I have also given my brother in Virginia information on the Loving-Kindness exercise and he is going to try to incorporate that practice into his daily meditation practices. Sharing this information with as many people as possible also makes me aware that I need to keep it up. I  mean, I can't tell others the importance of integral health if I'm not practicing it myself,  now can I?

It looks like I kind of got carried away, but that's what happens when I let my mind run free!

Thanks for reading,

~Seek Peace~