Unit 8

This week of reflection on past weeks...I have learned a few different techniques that if I can master they would all be very beneficial to me. The two that were most helpful and the ones I got the most out of I would have to say meditation and loving-kindness. With meditation it is useful basically anywhere you have a few minutes to sit and "space out". This will be useful when it gets really stressful to just take a moment and look inward.  The loving-kindness is helpful and now to me it is a must to try to be nice to everyone I encounter. I feel it is necessary to at least smile as you walk past someone and I’m going to try to make at least one persons day better by a smile and a hello. I have learned a lot about people and myself in this class so it is my “duty” to at least take some of it and use it for good.

Unit 7

1. Complete the Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?                           This exercise was a little difficult again this week but it did make me more aware in my everyday activities. I know set out to try to smile at every person I come across. When I meditate it brings me back to a peaceful place where I can reconnect with my inner being and spiritual place. I think that if I can reconnect everyday that I can continue to be and stay grounded.

 2. Describe the saying:"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?                                                 That saying to me sounds like "if you walked a mile in my shoes" which means that if you have been through the same problems and have overcome the same hurdles then you could relate but if you have not done any of those things then you just do not truly get it. With that being said if you are going to teach and direct others along a certain path of life then you must also have walked or be currently walking that path and be a few steps ahead of the people you are guiding. I do feel that is the duty of us as health care professionals so open up without paths that we took and were then redirected or at least be able to assist others in a likeness path.   It also sounds like “if you can walk the walk can you talk the talk". If you try to lead others where you have not been then you will get lost.

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Unit 6

1. Practice the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise on p. 93.

For this exercise it came fairly easy to me. I was surprised that it was as easy for me as it was since I have had a hard time with other exercises. After I completed this one I felt as though I could change the world just myself. I also felt kinder to others and that is something that felt great. To just put a smile on someone else face who was having a bad day. 

2. Complete the Integral Assessment discussed in chapter 11 (p.115).

 The process takes quiet time, reflection, and a mindfulness practice. 

3. Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?

I need to focus that is the first and for most.  I need to get a little easier on my scheduled and have a bit of relax time. My main focus is my Biological area. My health is very important to me and it needs to get a bigger focus. I let it go and I am not happy, I have gained 8 pounds and I just feel lazy so I need to get it more in focus. I need to get a treadmill and start to run again. I do walk everyday for an about 45 minutes. The second is spiritual and that is because I need to start to God again. I used to talk to him all the time but with the lack of time that seemed to go to the way side. I need to start talking to God again each and every night to gain a better focus.

Unit 5

The Loving Kindness exercise was very hard for me to do. The Subtle mind exercise was a bit more easily but still hard for me to get into. I will have to try these exercises again at a later date because maybe it is that I am always feeling rushed. Again, the Loving Kindness exercise was emotionally draining when it came to the taking the pain in and it left me mentally, physically, and emotionally tired.

The connection for me to physical and spiritual well being is simple, without both I’m not sure i could function. For me I need to work out and be physically fit and eat a well balanced organic diet. Spiritually is important to me but for me I do not have to be in a church every Sunday to be connected with God. To me being spiritually fit is having a connection with God and talking to him where ever it may be, as long as I am talking to him I feel I am spiritually one. There are also time that I am just called to Church for whatever reason and when that happens I am there in church to fulfill that need.