Final Blog Unit 10

I have felt tremendous growth since I enrolled in this class.  This was an elective for me and I chose this class as opposed to the others because I felt that there were other ways to health and healing other than a pill alone.   I feel so empowered now that I have approached the end of  this class. 

When we first started this class I gave myself sevens as it related to spiritual, psychological and physical aspects.  Now I can say that I give myself a nine in each catagory.  I have learned how important it is to exihibit the practice of loving kindness and mindful behavior.  I must admit that I had to work really hard in order to make the change in some of the practices.  Meditation is very important aspect to integral health.  Prayer should be encorporated as well. 

I realized that if I become stronger spiritually, it will empower me to become stronger psychologically.  This way I will not be prone to worry and stress over things that I can not change.  I will then be more apt to exercise, practice mindfulness and become happier.  Once I am happier, I will be less likely to devolop psychosomatic biological issues. 

The exercises learned from the class will make me a better person and the end result will be a happier person.

Unit 9 Final

Unit 9 Project

Introduction

            This paper is intended to expound upon the skills and knowledge that I have learned over the past 8 weeks in Integral Health.  I also intend to elaborate upon my weakness and what type of goals I have in order to become successful in such an important aspect of human health. 

            I feel that it is very important for me as a health care professional to master the skills of psychological, spiritually and physical health.  The reason being, in my opinion, is that if I have self awareness and practice, I will become a stronger health care professional and offer a greater support to the population of people that I serve.  I have learned how the mind, body and spirit work as one unit in order to create a stronger and better me.  I one aspect is weak or need work then the entire unit is subject to weaken.  This will leave room for the inability to cope with stress in a healthy way, illnesses, lack of exercise and the inability to thrive. 

Assessment

            Upon entering this class I had issues in each domain that I feel built upon my issue of anxiety.  I am very anxious by nature and I could never cope with stress well.  I would worry about everything and there was never enough time in the day to accomplish what needed to be accomplished.  As I began to learn the factors that could help me become better in integral health, I started to practice them in my everyday life.  Psychologically I have the issue of anxiety and biologically it became so much of a burden that I started to develop irritable bowel syndrome, which is classic for people with anxiety.  Spiritually, I began to pray and utilize the skills that I was learning in class such as meditation, prayer, exercise, loving-kindness and practicing the subtle mind. 

            Goal Development

            My physical goal is to decrease my anxiety to the point that I no longer have biological symptoms such as the irritable bowel syndrome.  Spiritually, I would like to have so much faith in the higher power that I am able to take my problems to Him in prayer and believe that He will make a difference in my life. 

Practice for Personal Health

            The biggest strategy that I can foster is meditation so fully that I develop the subtle mind.  I want to be able to look at the positive in everyone, exercise the practice of mindfulness and develop a better relationship with God through meditation, prayer and a positive outlook on life.  I believe that if I continue to work on these skills I will have fewer symptoms, have more energy to exercise, and ultimately feel better. 

            One of my biggest challenges of implementation was the act of loving kindness.  There were so many instances in my life that I would help people and they either did not appreciate it or I felt used.  This class has helped me to do good to others regardless of the outcome.  Through the practices of learned in this class, I have been able to get a good handle on this concept and use it in my everyday life.

Commitment

            Over the next six months I intend to continue to practice the skills and knowledge that I have learned in this class.  As I continue to master these skills, I intend to share these skills with my professional clients, patients, family and friends.  I feel that if I can help someone become a better person, feel better about themselves, decrease illnesses and disease processes and become happier overall, then it is worth it.

Unit 8 Most Beneficial Practice 'Loving Kindness/Subtle Mind'

My two favorite practices are loving kindness and subtle mind.  Loving kindness was hard for me because of the issues of trust in the behaviors of others.  There was a time that I would help others at the drop of a hat but after a while I began to feel used and unappreciated.  This caused me to stop my acts of kindness for everyone, although it was not everyone who made me feel unappreciated.  The acts of loving kindness that I have learned in this class has given me the confidence to be kind again.  I learned that it doesn't matter how someone responds to you, the idea is to be kind and help when ever and where ever you can.  I now feel good again about doing good by others because it is the right thing to do.  I have allowed myself to give donations to the needy, offer a listening ear, a hot meal, clothes and a kind word.  These acts have empowered me to do more for my community through my church.  I must admit that it had made me feel good as a person. 

The subtle mind comes into play from the business of a typical day.  It helps me to clear my mind of clutter.  All of the things that I have to do, accomplish, think about and take care of.  I force my mind into a complete quiet zone of nothing but total peace and calmness.  Boy does it feel good.  Sometimes it takes me longer to get to the state of subtle mind and I struggle to stay there.  Overall the practices have been a great help for me not only mentally, but spiritually and physically.  I feel more complete and it gives me the energy to get out into the world and do more.

Meeting Asciepius/"One Cannot Lead Another Where One Has Not Gone Himself"

As I meditated through this exercise the person that came to my mind in my former Bishop, who died 4 years ago.  He was such a gentle, loving and easy spirited man.  He would always have a smile on his face and always sought to find the good in every person.  He would have the saying "Life Can Be Beautiful" and I am finding this to be true.  I have strived over the years to change my outlook on life and on people.  I have strived to believe and see that there is good in every individual.  As I gain more spiritual awarness and comfort in the higher power, I strive everyday through his words, actions and now the techniques that I have been learning to become more complete and whole.  Guess what????? It is a beautiful feeling........

"One can not lead another where one has not gone himself", is one that a partially agree with.  I feel that it depends upon the circumstances.  Trying to teach someone the techniques on intergral health and the true development of mind, body and spirit may be hard if the person had never tried any of the mindful techniques or meditation practices.  How would know that the system really work?  On the other hand, however, there are some instances that we know are true.  For example, a cardiologist may teach a patient not to smoke although he is smoking.  He knows that it is not the right thing whether he is doing the right thing or not.  The right idea is to teach the patient the right way.  There may also be instances that good sound advice may be given although the person giving the advice has never walked that road before.  In my opinion, it just depends on the circumstances.

Unit 6 Loving Kindness (Meditation) Exercise

Let me first start by stating that this class has helped me in a variety of ways.  I have always felt that spiritual and biological aspects worked together, but now I have the tools to put it in use.  Meditation and the ability to relax was a big challenge for me because I am anxious by nature.  As I learned to relax, and clear my mind, I was able to connect with all of the attributes that was going to make me a better person.  I have learned to truly experience loving kindness without fear of helping others who may not appreciate my help.  I learn that it is good to be good.  Even if there are negative behaviors from others, I have learned to turn it into something positive.  It is the behavior that is negative and not the person.  As I continue to approach the still calmness of my mind, I saw that my physical issues had decreased considerably.  Especially with the long term issue of irritable bowel syndrome.  I have the motivation to pray more, have more faith, eat better, exercise and this has truly made me a happier person.  I must admit that I fall off of the wagon sometimes but I know as I continue to practice and stay motivated, I will obtain my long term goal.  I have been practicing on the mindless approach to listening.  I try hard to focus on the 'present' of someone's conversation without bias or judgement.  I do not allow my mind to wander off to past or future endevours.  (Now that is hard work).  I am really feeling accomplished because I can feel myself growing.  Let me say lastly, that in the beginning I felt that these exercises were to long, but I now realize that it was the anxiety in me.  I was not allowing myself to relax I should.  I am truly moving "In the Right Direction."