I enjoyed this exercise. I find it amazing that it is so easy to focus love onto someone else and so hard to focus it onto our selves. This exercise made me realize that I am still growing, it is not that I did not know this but while I was laying there, I starting thinking of loving myself and then some of the negative thoughts started to creep in...ugh, my little ideas of what should look like this and what should feel like that. But then I realized I was doing it and stopped. It was nice to just feel my body and whatever it was feeling and just accept it in love. I really needed that. When I travel sometimes my ankles swell pretty bad...so I was feeling a bit aggravated about it and in a way not loving myself and accepting that maybe I should not be sitting with my legs hanging down , maybe this was a sign that my body wanted to lay down...When doing this exercise I apologized to my body and said "I am sorry for not listening to what you wanted..."
Overall I did find this exercise beneficial, it was not difficult and I would recommend it to others. I find that instantly I was able to utilize what the exercise was offering. I do think that for someone with a busy mind/ one that wanders ..the time in between commands will be too long...
I will be using this exercise again...
Jamillah~
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I See Color
I enjoyed this exercise. I have worked with the chakras before in my yoga, reiki and meditation practices so it was easy for me to visualize the chakras. I did find myself thinking of what I already knew about chakras and how they are linked to the organs of the body and then I found myself over thinking about moving energy through my body.
It made me think that some exercises are better if you have no knowledge of the material being covered. That way you are able to focus only on what the person leading is saying and not your own chatter...
I will try this one again....when my mind is not so busy. I think it would be a good ending piece for a longer meditation sitting session so my mind would be open and relaxed and able to follow and flow...
Love & Light
Jamillah
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Reflections...Unit 3
Good Evening All,
Because of my health journey when asked to evaluate my well being I automatically think of my spiritual and emotional well being and then think of health. At one time it was much different. I based everything on whether I was reaching my fitness (physical) goals. But I do understand that one without the other can be very counter productive and very frustrating. I would rate myself at this time Physical 7, Spiritual 8, psychological 5. My rating of 7 for physical is because I have been working very hard on improving my eating habits and getting more rest. My biggest issue is that I was not eating enough. I was eating one meal a day and sleeeping about 2-4 hours and that was on a good night. I have been suffering with insomnia. My insomina plays right into my psychological well being as I have been under a lot of stress and with my mothers passing have been finding myself feeling a bit depressed. I KNOW better but still I am struggling with focus and using my postive talk verses looking at things with a grim outlook. As for my spiritual health honestly I think this is where I am doing the best. I say this because I know if it were not for my spiritual practices I would become completely unglued.
My goals I have set in place for improvement are eating 3 meals per day and getting at least 6 hours sleep , no this is not the required 8 hours but I do not want to set myself up for failure so I will start there and work my way up to healthier sleep habits. Psychologically, I will do more of my postive talk and I even recorded some positive things on my tape recorder to listen to.. the journey on exercise gave me that idea. Spiritually, I will continue to live in love and share it as much as I can. I am also reading more text that will help with my spiritual development. One thing I did notice about myself is that sometimes I felt alone in these studies and desired to share with others and this class and blog is allowing me to do that. Thank you Professor and Classmates, you have given me someone to share with. Often it is difficult to talk to those not on any path they look at you like you are "new age" I often tell them this is why we are on this mudball to grow and that there is nothing new under the sun...so no this is not new....
The activities that I have been using is yoga and sitting meditation. I would like to journal more and also I picked up my guitar for the first time on months. I can't play a lick but I like the feeling I get from the sounds..lol
I am going to do the "Crime of the Century" exercise tonight. I just spent 16 hours on greyhound so I can surely use something to help me relax...I will comment as soon as I am finished.
Again thank you for letting me share my world with you. I look forward to sharing your world as well...
Jamillah~
Because of my health journey when asked to evaluate my well being I automatically think of my spiritual and emotional well being and then think of health. At one time it was much different. I based everything on whether I was reaching my fitness (physical) goals. But I do understand that one without the other can be very counter productive and very frustrating. I would rate myself at this time Physical 7, Spiritual 8, psychological 5. My rating of 7 for physical is because I have been working very hard on improving my eating habits and getting more rest. My biggest issue is that I was not eating enough. I was eating one meal a day and sleeeping about 2-4 hours and that was on a good night. I have been suffering with insomnia. My insomina plays right into my psychological well being as I have been under a lot of stress and with my mothers passing have been finding myself feeling a bit depressed. I KNOW better but still I am struggling with focus and using my postive talk verses looking at things with a grim outlook. As for my spiritual health honestly I think this is where I am doing the best. I say this because I know if it were not for my spiritual practices I would become completely unglued.
My goals I have set in place for improvement are eating 3 meals per day and getting at least 6 hours sleep , no this is not the required 8 hours but I do not want to set myself up for failure so I will start there and work my way up to healthier sleep habits. Psychologically, I will do more of my postive talk and I even recorded some positive things on my tape recorder to listen to.. the journey on exercise gave me that idea. Spiritually, I will continue to live in love and share it as much as I can. I am also reading more text that will help with my spiritual development. One thing I did notice about myself is that sometimes I felt alone in these studies and desired to share with others and this class and blog is allowing me to do that. Thank you Professor and Classmates, you have given me someone to share with. Often it is difficult to talk to those not on any path they look at you like you are "new age" I often tell them this is why we are on this mudball to grow and that there is nothing new under the sun...so no this is not new....
The activities that I have been using is yoga and sitting meditation. I would like to journal more and also I picked up my guitar for the first time on months. I can't play a lick but I like the feeling I get from the sounds..lol
I am going to do the "Crime of the Century" exercise tonight. I just spent 16 hours on greyhound so I can surely use something to help me relax...I will comment as soon as I am finished.
Again thank you for letting me share my world with you. I look forward to sharing your world as well...
Jamillah~
Monday, January 17, 2011
It's Been A Hard Day
Blessings All
Woooooooooooo saaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...... Okay so today was completely overcast and I was feeling a bit down. Today is the day I lost my mom and it still hurts. You know, I have come so far in my life and have gained so much understanding and I know that my mother is "not dead".. only her physical form is no longer here but I swear that I loved that physical form I loved the soul that was in it. She and I had a very special relationship and I miss her so very much.... It seems like no matter how much you learn you still can not wrap your mind around your loved ones not being with you. I remember when I lost my grandmother, I truly thought I was going to lose my mind and not be able to make it. But I did... Then I lost my son and I thought I was going to die, but I did not and I am still here and then I lost my mother, brother and aunt all in the span of 6 months and I was numb... But it was my practice...that go me through.. I studied hard and practiced my yoga and even started weight lifting (just a little) and I am still here..
This is my truth and I know that the mind is a powerful thing and when we focus we can get through anything...
In Truth,
Jamillah~
Woooooooooooo saaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...... Okay so today was completely overcast and I was feeling a bit down. Today is the day I lost my mom and it still hurts. You know, I have come so far in my life and have gained so much understanding and I know that my mother is "not dead".. only her physical form is no longer here but I swear that I loved that physical form I loved the soul that was in it. She and I had a very special relationship and I miss her so very much.... It seems like no matter how much you learn you still can not wrap your mind around your loved ones not being with you. I remember when I lost my grandmother, I truly thought I was going to lose my mind and not be able to make it. But I did... Then I lost my son and I thought I was going to die, but I did not and I am still here and then I lost my mother, brother and aunt all in the span of 6 months and I was numb... But it was my practice...that go me through.. I studied hard and practiced my yoga and even started weight lifting (just a little) and I am still here..
This is my truth and I know that the mind is a powerful thing and when we focus we can get through anything...
In Truth,
Jamillah~
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Great Sitting
Good Evening All,
I had a long weekend. My Steelers have showed that "they can do the dang thing".. (yeah love football) and my rival team the Patriots showed that yes even at the razor they can get it... (laughing really hard)
Okay so I wantd to tell you about my expeience with the journey on exercise... I said last time that I was going to use this track instead of my regular guided meditation cd. So my problem intially was where my computer was I do not have enough space for my yoga practice and since I was going to use it at the begining and end of my practice I needed to be able to start and stop it without a lot of moving around. So I needed my son to show me how to get the track from the link and put it on a cd and then I could put it in the cd and use it at will. I must say that the voice was very relaxing and that I would use it again. It did differ from the cd I usually use because the melodic tone of his voice was much different than the chimes and bamboo flutes that are used on my cd. I think that this is a positive attestment to the validity of guided meditation, following the sound of the voice. I have always been a person that loves to hear someone read, it has always relaxed me. I think that the next level of my "self discovery experience" I am going to record my own voice . I have read before about this but that was years ago so I am going to look for those articles and try that approach. I am sure that if the mind and body responds to someone elses voice and words of positivity, it would surely respond to your own voice...
Overall, my sitting meditation was great using the journey on exercise...
Looking Forward to Growing
Jamillah~
I had a long weekend. My Steelers have showed that "they can do the dang thing".. (yeah love football) and my rival team the Patriots showed that yes even at the razor they can get it... (laughing really hard)
Okay so I wantd to tell you about my expeience with the journey on exercise... I said last time that I was going to use this track instead of my regular guided meditation cd. So my problem intially was where my computer was I do not have enough space for my yoga practice and since I was going to use it at the begining and end of my practice I needed to be able to start and stop it without a lot of moving around. So I needed my son to show me how to get the track from the link and put it on a cd and then I could put it in the cd and use it at will. I must say that the voice was very relaxing and that I would use it again. It did differ from the cd I usually use because the melodic tone of his voice was much different than the chimes and bamboo flutes that are used on my cd. I think that this is a positive attestment to the validity of guided meditation, following the sound of the voice. I have always been a person that loves to hear someone read, it has always relaxed me. I think that the next level of my "self discovery experience" I am going to record my own voice . I have read before about this but that was years ago so I am going to look for those articles and try that approach. I am sure that if the mind and body responds to someone elses voice and words of positivity, it would surely respond to your own voice...
Overall, my sitting meditation was great using the journey on exercise...
Looking Forward to Growing
Jamillah~
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Reflection
Blessings All
I really enjoyed the "Journey On" exercise it was relaxing. Often in my yoga practice I use guided mediation. I found that using guided meditaion it gives my over-worked and constantly clicking mind something to focus on so I can prepare for practice. When I use guided meditation I find that I can get into to my practice and out of my head long enough to embrace the silence that fosters healing. Often times when I would not use guided meditaion I would find myself thinking anout grocery list, the kids, the laundry, work and oh yeah my favorite" getting this over with" so I can get back to the madness that is my life some days. But it was the realization that I was not truly getting the purpose of why I was practicing yoga and meditation, that made me stop and take note of how crazy I was...Wasn't it Einstien who said " insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results"...Well I was looking to relax but making a mad dash back to the madness so how did I expect a change to take place?
So I sat down and asked myself "what am I trying to do with this practice"? My answer was to heal the disconnect between my mind and body and heal on a level that I had never known but heard of. So I approched the practice with new eyes and new intentions and it was the greatest feeling ever. I am on a great journey and meditation is a large part of what will help me find what I have been looking for.
I plan to use the Journey On exercise in the morning instead of my regular cd and see if there is difference.
I will let you all know what happens ;)
We Are One
Jamillah~
I really enjoyed the "Journey On" exercise it was relaxing. Often in my yoga practice I use guided mediation. I found that using guided meditaion it gives my over-worked and constantly clicking mind something to focus on so I can prepare for practice. When I use guided meditation I find that I can get into to my practice and out of my head long enough to embrace the silence that fosters healing. Often times when I would not use guided meditaion I would find myself thinking anout grocery list, the kids, the laundry, work and oh yeah my favorite" getting this over with" so I can get back to the madness that is my life some days. But it was the realization that I was not truly getting the purpose of why I was practicing yoga and meditation, that made me stop and take note of how crazy I was...Wasn't it Einstien who said " insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results"...Well I was looking to relax but making a mad dash back to the madness so how did I expect a change to take place?
So I sat down and asked myself "what am I trying to do with this practice"? My answer was to heal the disconnect between my mind and body and heal on a level that I had never known but heard of. So I approched the practice with new eyes and new intentions and it was the greatest feeling ever. I am on a great journey and meditation is a large part of what will help me find what I have been looking for.
I plan to use the Journey On exercise in the morning instead of my regular cd and see if there is difference.
I will let you all know what happens ;)
We Are One
Jamillah~
Welcome
Welcome All
This is my blog space. I named this space "Getting To Zen". Zen is defined as "meditative absorption in which all dualistic distinctions are eliminated"..in Zen Buddhism they teach Zazen which is a sitting meditation and it is said that this meditative practice is the direct way to awakening.
For 20 years I have been on a quest to find "truth" whatever that is..My quest really started several years before that. When I was a teenager I left the church. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was in bible study and started asking questions, quickly I was dismissed. That night I went home and asked my mother why I was not answered and she said to me that she could not answer that so she would ask the deacon that dismissed my questions. So that next Sunday, she pulled him aside and said my daughter had questions about the lessons at bible study and he looked me square in the face and said "some things can not be answered you just have to believe" I was crushed...
Anyone, that knows me knows that is the wrong answer.. (lol) I need answers... I am known in my family as the one always seeking. As my mom would say the noisy one...(lol) I am thankful for that deacon and since that time I have studied many things it lead me eventually to get a degree in comparative religion.
I love learning! And in my opinion, there is nothing greater to study than "humans" They are complex and ever evolving creatures and I feel so much joy in getting to know what makes them tick...
This course for me is a great gift, it is another opportunity to learn about my fellow man and the greatest gift is that I get to learn more about myself everyday.
Thank you for sharing with me and I look forward to sharing with you all..........
We Are One~
Jamillah~
This is my blog space. I named this space "Getting To Zen". Zen is defined as "meditative absorption in which all dualistic distinctions are eliminated"..in Zen Buddhism they teach Zazen which is a sitting meditation and it is said that this meditative practice is the direct way to awakening.
For 20 years I have been on a quest to find "truth" whatever that is..My quest really started several years before that. When I was a teenager I left the church. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was in bible study and started asking questions, quickly I was dismissed. That night I went home and asked my mother why I was not answered and she said to me that she could not answer that so she would ask the deacon that dismissed my questions. So that next Sunday, she pulled him aside and said my daughter had questions about the lessons at bible study and he looked me square in the face and said "some things can not be answered you just have to believe" I was crushed...
Anyone, that knows me knows that is the wrong answer.. (lol) I need answers... I am known in my family as the one always seeking. As my mom would say the noisy one...(lol) I am thankful for that deacon and since that time I have studied many things it lead me eventually to get a degree in comparative religion.
I love learning! And in my opinion, there is nothing greater to study than "humans" They are complex and ever evolving creatures and I feel so much joy in getting to know what makes them tick...
This course for me is a great gift, it is another opportunity to learn about my fellow man and the greatest gift is that I get to learn more about myself everyday.
Thank you for sharing with me and I look forward to sharing with you all..........
We Are One~
Jamillah~
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