1. Review your unit 3 personal assessment of your psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Reflect on these areas . How did you score yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 in unit 3? How do you score yourself now? Has the score changed? Why or why not?
My scores in the areas of psychological and spiritual have not changed. However, my well-being in both areas has been enhanced by the contemplative practices I have learned in this course. For example, I use the Subtle Mind as a means to meditate on Biblical verses; and Visualization as a means to worship Christ and to reflect on His character.
By following the instruction taught by Dacher in his book Integral Health, on how to do the Subtle Mind, I have developed a witnessing mind while meditating on a Biblical verse. I learned to push away those thoughts that creep up while in this mental state.
In the past, I also engaged in meditation but I did not know how to deal with random thoughts that move stealthily across the mind in an effective manner. In retrospect, the contemplative practices I have learned in this class have helped my ability to meditate at a higher conscious level.
2. Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.
My physical well-being however, has suffered quite a set-back because of the occurrence of arthritis in my right hand. Consequently, I am forced to adjust my physical workout. It has also caused quite a bit of physical discomfort because of the limited use of my right hand.
3. Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain.
I did not write any new goal in my unit 3 blog. Rather, I have committed to continuing on what I already started. So far, I am content with the levels that I have achieved.
4. Summarize your personal experience throughout this course. Have you developed improved well-being? What has been rewarding? What has been difficult? How will this experience improve your ability to assist others?
In the beginning, I had some reservations about the content of this class going against my faith. However, I was able to resolve that by accepting the areas that would enhance my psychospiritual life and discarding those that are contrary to my faith.
Regardless, I believe in the integral approach to health. This is the main reason why I chose to take this course. I believe that the traditional approach of western medicine has obvious limitations because it does not address the mind. The term “psychosomatic” is a clear indication that the mind and body are interrelated.
This course has established for me the power of our thoughts and higher consciousness to achieve integral health. Although I have awareness of this concept from the past, I have not been able to verbalize it. Today, I am confident of my ability to explain what true health is about. As a result, I feel more equipped to assist others.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
My Integral Health Plan
As the current approach in medicine continues to show its limitations, health and wellness professionals must stay current with the changes that are already taking place outside of traditional western medicine (Dacher, 2006). The learning process is not confined to books and classrooms but a hands-on approach to a transformation of an individual (Dacher, 2006). However, it must begin with the Health and Wellness professional.
A person in any given profession has to learn to “walk the walk” in that particular profession in order to display some level of integrity. A brief definition of integrity is honesty. In this regard, in order for a professional in the health and wellness field to apply the integral health model to others, he or she has to first practice the integral health model. This is the first step in the integral vow. It is conducting self-examination, then learning and practicing the integral health model to be fully acquainted with oneself (Dacher, 2006). This is the only way professionals in the field of health and wellness will be able to exude the qualities of a healer to help another individual.
As I continue my journey of learning and evolving, I have discovered that there is so much I do not know. This does not mean that I am not developing or regressing. It simply means that as I learn more, I also learn more of my inadequacies. This is the level of awareness that occurs in the psychospiritual domain. The mind is a very deep reservoir that has no bottom. In this sense, my learning and understanding has no end until death.
The key to assessing each area of our health in the integral domain is to first “. . . look for unhealthy sources of suffering and potential sources of flourishing” (2006, p. 105). From there, Dacher points us to envisioning our highest potential and the obstacles that would prevent us from reaching them (Dacher, 2006). The six principles are similar to a map that can guide us to find our way out to the path of health, happiness, and wholeness.
The first of the six principles is to determine the areas that are most prone to distress. As well, it is to find the greatest potential for our growth and development (Dacher, 2006). Once these areas are identified, we can distinguish the distress between short-term and permanent, along with their most effective resolutions (Dacher, 2006). While some distress or pain is simple to distinguish, some however requires an in-depth understanding of the situation (Dacher, 2006).
In addition to identifying the distress or pain, we also need to differentiate between immediate pleasure and long term flourishing (Dacher, 2006). Immediate pleasure is achieved from external sources or experiences while long term flourishing has to be developed mostly from within and as a result, takes time (Dacher, 2006).
A comprehensive integral health assessment leads to our understanding of our psychospiritual condition (Dacher, 2006). Interestingly, the psychospiritual domain possesses its own attributes yet it crosses and overlaps with the other domains. This domain pertains to our expanded consciousness and thus ultimately affects everything in our life.
An effective integral assessment requires us to listen attentively to our inner voice and to be willing to discard our biases that appear in our thoughts and feelings (Dacher, 2006). This means being honest and forthright about who we are and the changes that are required.
One of the guiding principles of the integral health model is dynamism. As such, it is important that we identify where we are according to the levels and lines of development. As well, because we are constantly changing, we need to update our self-assessment to appreciate our development.
Dacher points out that the most underdeveloped aspect of our life is the psychological (2006, p. 167). Based on the above guidelines, I have identified that my psychological life is also the most underdeveloped area of my life and hence, needs more attention than any other areas of my life. Strangely, it is also the most underdeveloped part in our health care system as evident by poor practitioner-client relationship. I believe the development of this aspect in our lives can help enhance our awareness of who we are, our meaning in life, and those around us.
As a result of my schedule since I started this course over three years ago, I have become too confined in my own safe environment. Although I understand this as a temporary situation until I complete my degree in Health and Wellness very soon, I want to address this now as part of my goal setting for the next six months. The other two areas, physical and spiritual are quite strong relative to my psychological life.
The process of change starts with setting goals. As noted, my psychological life appears to be languishing behind my physical and spiritual. My goal after I graduate is to explore various avenues of interpersonal networking. The purpose is to be able to reach out and be able to help others find their path of health, happiness and wholeness. I believe by doing so, I will be able to find the same path as I look to help others.
Although my physical life has been fully developed in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and self-regulation because of my background, I recently developed a disorder of which I am in the process of using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) while awaiting the final diagnosis from my physician. Sadly, this recent experience has really brought home the inadequacies of conventional medicine in dealing with somewhat complex and obscure health issues.
Without straying too far from my subject, I see Integral Medicine as the answer to the dilemma faced by our conventional health care practices. Wilber explains that the objective should not be focused on the tool-kit approach of different types of treatments but on a holistic approach, one of the guiding principles of healing (Wilbur, 2005).
In terms of my spiritual life, I have no other plan to alter from the current course I have been engaged in. On a daily basis, I take considerable time to study the Scriptures. While in this daily process, my relationship with God has become more personal. We all know that in order to get to know someone, we need to spend as much time with that person. The same logic applies to developing a relationship with God. For me, this leads to a unity of consciousness because I am confident in the face of uncertainty, I have courage in the face of darkness, and I have peace in the face of trouble.
Nonetheless, I have found the meditative and visualization practices appropriate for my spiritual growth. Using a Bible verse, I can apply the Subtle Mind practice to train my mind to focus. Using the image of Christ, I can apply the Visualization practice to transform my person. I have found both exercises as practical mental workout but within the controls of my faith.
The phrase “talk is cheap” can easily be applied when setting goals. Writing them down on a piece of paper and scheduling them are the first order of commitment. From that, we can incorporate the six principles of integral health to measure our levels and lines of development. As well, it is important to keep a schedule of activities, as necessary, on a daily basis related to our goals. Without prioritizing our daily schedule, our goals can easily fall into the crack where they will get buried because of the busyness of life. Integrity is required of a professional who preaches about integral health or talk is cheap. This is the meaning of the first vow in the Integral Model.
References
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health:The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach:
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Wilbur, K. (2005). The Integral Vision of Healing. In M. Schlitz, T. Amorok, & M. S.
Micozzi, Consciousness & healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine
(pp. xu-xxxu). St. Louis: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
A person in any given profession has to learn to “walk the walk” in that particular profession in order to display some level of integrity. A brief definition of integrity is honesty. In this regard, in order for a professional in the health and wellness field to apply the integral health model to others, he or she has to first practice the integral health model. This is the first step in the integral vow. It is conducting self-examination, then learning and practicing the integral health model to be fully acquainted with oneself (Dacher, 2006). This is the only way professionals in the field of health and wellness will be able to exude the qualities of a healer to help another individual.
As I continue my journey of learning and evolving, I have discovered that there is so much I do not know. This does not mean that I am not developing or regressing. It simply means that as I learn more, I also learn more of my inadequacies. This is the level of awareness that occurs in the psychospiritual domain. The mind is a very deep reservoir that has no bottom. In this sense, my learning and understanding has no end until death.
The key to assessing each area of our health in the integral domain is to first “. . . look for unhealthy sources of suffering and potential sources of flourishing” (2006, p. 105). From there, Dacher points us to envisioning our highest potential and the obstacles that would prevent us from reaching them (Dacher, 2006). The six principles are similar to a map that can guide us to find our way out to the path of health, happiness, and wholeness.
The first of the six principles is to determine the areas that are most prone to distress. As well, it is to find the greatest potential for our growth and development (Dacher, 2006). Once these areas are identified, we can distinguish the distress between short-term and permanent, along with their most effective resolutions (Dacher, 2006). While some distress or pain is simple to distinguish, some however requires an in-depth understanding of the situation (Dacher, 2006).
In addition to identifying the distress or pain, we also need to differentiate between immediate pleasure and long term flourishing (Dacher, 2006). Immediate pleasure is achieved from external sources or experiences while long term flourishing has to be developed mostly from within and as a result, takes time (Dacher, 2006).
A comprehensive integral health assessment leads to our understanding of our psychospiritual condition (Dacher, 2006). Interestingly, the psychospiritual domain possesses its own attributes yet it crosses and overlaps with the other domains. This domain pertains to our expanded consciousness and thus ultimately affects everything in our life.
An effective integral assessment requires us to listen attentively to our inner voice and to be willing to discard our biases that appear in our thoughts and feelings (Dacher, 2006). This means being honest and forthright about who we are and the changes that are required.
One of the guiding principles of the integral health model is dynamism. As such, it is important that we identify where we are according to the levels and lines of development. As well, because we are constantly changing, we need to update our self-assessment to appreciate our development.
Dacher points out that the most underdeveloped aspect of our life is the psychological (2006, p. 167). Based on the above guidelines, I have identified that my psychological life is also the most underdeveloped area of my life and hence, needs more attention than any other areas of my life. Strangely, it is also the most underdeveloped part in our health care system as evident by poor practitioner-client relationship. I believe the development of this aspect in our lives can help enhance our awareness of who we are, our meaning in life, and those around us.
As a result of my schedule since I started this course over three years ago, I have become too confined in my own safe environment. Although I understand this as a temporary situation until I complete my degree in Health and Wellness very soon, I want to address this now as part of my goal setting for the next six months. The other two areas, physical and spiritual are quite strong relative to my psychological life.
The process of change starts with setting goals. As noted, my psychological life appears to be languishing behind my physical and spiritual. My goal after I graduate is to explore various avenues of interpersonal networking. The purpose is to be able to reach out and be able to help others find their path of health, happiness and wholeness. I believe by doing so, I will be able to find the same path as I look to help others.
Although my physical life has been fully developed in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and self-regulation because of my background, I recently developed a disorder of which I am in the process of using Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) while awaiting the final diagnosis from my physician. Sadly, this recent experience has really brought home the inadequacies of conventional medicine in dealing with somewhat complex and obscure health issues.
Without straying too far from my subject, I see Integral Medicine as the answer to the dilemma faced by our conventional health care practices. Wilber explains that the objective should not be focused on the tool-kit approach of different types of treatments but on a holistic approach, one of the guiding principles of healing (Wilbur, 2005).
In terms of my spiritual life, I have no other plan to alter from the current course I have been engaged in. On a daily basis, I take considerable time to study the Scriptures. While in this daily process, my relationship with God has become more personal. We all know that in order to get to know someone, we need to spend as much time with that person. The same logic applies to developing a relationship with God. For me, this leads to a unity of consciousness because I am confident in the face of uncertainty, I have courage in the face of darkness, and I have peace in the face of trouble.
Nonetheless, I have found the meditative and visualization practices appropriate for my spiritual growth. Using a Bible verse, I can apply the Subtle Mind practice to train my mind to focus. Using the image of Christ, I can apply the Visualization practice to transform my person. I have found both exercises as practical mental workout but within the controls of my faith.
The phrase “talk is cheap” can easily be applied when setting goals. Writing them down on a piece of paper and scheduling them are the first order of commitment. From that, we can incorporate the six principles of integral health to measure our levels and lines of development. As well, it is important to keep a schedule of activities, as necessary, on a daily basis related to our goals. Without prioritizing our daily schedule, our goals can easily fall into the crack where they will get buried because of the busyness of life. Integrity is required of a professional who preaches about integral health or talk is cheap. This is the meaning of the first vow in the Integral Model.
References
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health:The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach:
Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Wilbur, K. (2005). The Integral Vision of Healing. In M. Schlitz, T. Amorok, & M. S.
Micozzi, Consciousness & healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine
(pp. xu-xxxu). St. Louis: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
My Favorite Mental Exercises
My two favorite mental exercises are the Subtle Mind and the Visualization. Since learning these mental exercises, I have incorporated them in my daily regimen.
I relate the importance of practicing the Subtle Mind when I think of someone who is “scatter-brained.” The Subtle Mind trains the mind to focus and yet conscious of all the other activities that are happening in the periphery. As the text suggests, I use my breath as the focal point.
I do not necessarily find this exercise relaxing this time because there is quite a bit of effort required to keep the mind still. Perhaps, as I develop a calm-abiding mind, I will gain the relaxation benefit of this mental workout.
I enjoy the visualization exercise because I am able to integrate it into my daily worship. The practice that I get from the Subtle Mind helps me to focus on the person or being I am visualizing. The practice of visualization has revolutionized my worship time. Both the Subtle Mind and the Visualization have increased my psychospiritual consciousness.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
On the Path to Human Flourishing
I started practicing Meeting Asclepius after completing the Powerpoint presentation project. It has become my favorite meditative practice because I am able to express my faith with it. It has revolutionized my psychospiritual wellness because I am able to experience the person of Christ in my mind. Each time, I feel a stronger sense of peace, wisdom, compassion, love and joy. As I see his light shine upon me, I feel whole.
To date, I have shared the practice with two friends. My husband has also expressed interest in this meditative practice. Since my faith is integrated into this meditative practice makes it simpler for me to continue with it. It is very meaningful to me because it deepens my relationship with Christ, the source of my well-being.
The statement, “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself,” has to do with integrity. In order for me to show someone the path to human flourishing, I ought to be on that path. Otherwise, I would be considered a fraud or a hypocrite
To date, I have shared the practice with two friends. My husband has also expressed interest in this meditative practice. Since my faith is integrated into this meditative practice makes it simpler for me to continue with it. It is very meaningful to me because it deepens my relationship with Christ, the source of my well-being.
The statement, “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself,” has to do with integrity. In order for me to show someone the path to human flourishing, I ought to be on that path. Otherwise, I would be considered a fraud or a hypocrite
Saturday, February 12, 2011
My Integral Practice
I find the Loving Kindness exercise impersonal. First, reciting scripted sentences is just too robotic for me. Second, I felt it was similar to a memorized prayer without any meaning to it. Third, since I am wishing no one particular person, the formal feels so uninvolved.
After examining the four quadrants and their lines of development against my present situation, I discovered that I need to focus more on the interpersonal aspect, specifically the community line. I realize that because of my busy schedule, I have neglected to build relationships and reach out to people outside of my immediate family and close friends.
Dacher proposes two ways to approach integral practice. The first approach is referred to as an Integral Practice Program (Dacher, 2006). The other approach is called life-as-practice. I believe the second approach is most suitable in my case. By being intentional, I will be able to develop some interpersonal relationships in my community. For example, I will take the time to introduce myself to my neighbors. Another is, I will offer an hour or two of my time weekly to help a cause I believe in.
Reference
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications Inc. .
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Subtle Mind Exercise & The Power of the Spirit/Mind Over Body
In comparing the Loving Kindness exercise to the Subtle Mind exercise, I found the Subtle Mind much more fascinating and meaningful. In particular, using breathing to keep the mind from wandering was such an appropriate focal point to anchor the mind. Interestingly, I witnessed how my mind drifted to some other random thoughts every so often. During these moments, I had to force my mind to return to watching my breaths.
I must admit however, that the Subtle Mind exercise, like the Loving Kindness exercise was not all that relaxing. Although the peaceful breathing helped to still my mind, it required work as I tried to keep runaway thoughts from happening. Regardless, I can imagine the benefits of the Subtle Mind exercise, if done regularly, to tame and stabilize the mind.
While these exercises appear strictly for the mind/spirit, they are nonetheless benefiting the body as well. As I consider the human body as a vessel that houses the mind and spirit, thus whatever the condition of the mind and spirit will greatly affect the body. Dacher describes this connection in his statement, “Our hardwired nervous system and our mobile messenger molecules manage the informational flow that goes form mind to body and back again” (Dacher, 2006) . In this regard, if the messages that are coming in from our mind to our body are anger, resentment, etc. These messages are translated to various body systems which generally result in some form of psychosomatic disease.
Understanding this connection, I have learned to divest my stress and other negative emotions to my God who can handle them all. Looking back now, I see the ravages of stress in my life. I had chronic active colitis and bouts of alopecia. Today, I am a living proof that we can have quality life by relinquishing all these negative emotions and replacing them with positive ones, such as love, forgiveness and gratefulness.
Reference
Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
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