Unit 7 Blog

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 was a very amazing practice for me. I selected my mother as my focal point, and I couldn't have chosen a better person. As I went through this practice it was hard for me to imagine my mother completely, only her warming smile came to mind, but it was really pleasing to my spirit to go through this type of practice with her on my mind. I literally had tears of joy streaming down my face as it progressed. My mother fit all of the categories perfectly, and I could actually feel her with me as it went on. I think I could use this practice when ever I am down to bring my spirits up. It was so nourishing to my spirit.

1. 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?

The best way for me to explain this is by my own personal experience. I am a fitness nut, but right now my body fat is way higher than it has ever been due to PTSD, and a major injury to my knee. Even though I have a wealth of knowledge in the realm of fitness because I don't look the part it would be hard for me to get anyone to listen to what I have to say. How can you help me if you can't help yourself par say.  I feel very obligated to my clients to develop myself as best as I can, so that I will be well suited to meet their needs. I believe that every day that we live we should be trying to improve on some part of ourselves. we should be forever evolving, and progressing in order to effect positive change in our world.

Reference

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M. (2005). Transformation of the healer: The application of Ken          
    Wilber's integral model to family practice medicine. Consciousness & healing: Integral approaches

    to mind-body medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, Inc.

Unit 6 Blog

Practice the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise on p. 93.
After a few minutes past I would then start to repeat phrases "for the betterment of all individuals, and for me to help others". For me this was just a eye opener to my own personal beliefs. I truly believe I this phase as a life style, I just never actually spoke the words. It was very calming. 

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

The Integral Assessment exercise required the same type preparation , but had a more direct intent then the loving kindness exercise.  I was then instructed to take an internal inventory over those aspects of my life in regards my of my psycho-spiritual, biological, interpersonal, and worldly suffering.  I was then instructed to focus on  an area of my life that I felt could use the most improvement, and to document it.

 

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?

 

There was no new development for me. My area of focus is one that I have been trying to work on for some months now. I am pretty much balanced in most areas of my life, but I have been really lacking in my own personal nutrition. After a severe state of depression due to tearing my patella tendon I put on a lot of excess weight, and now my focus is on fixing my nutrition, so I can lower my overall body fat to under 20%. I am extremely active, and after evaluating my overall health it was determined that my primary deficiency was in the food I had been consuming. I am focusing on balancing out my diet, eating 6 times a day, and keeping my caloric intake under 2500 calories a day. I also have to substitute more water consumption into my diet, and less sugary beverages like juices or soda.

Unit 5 Blog

1. Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.

There was one major difference between the 2 exercises, and that was in the Subtle mind exercise

I was able to just focus on relaxation or breathing. This is a very command practice for me, so it is very easy for me to zone out while deep breathing. I actually get to that point very quickly with no really outside interference. Last weeks practice was good for learning how to let go of stress, and stressful situation. This week I think is better suited for rebooting your psyche, and starting over fresh after a long week.

 

2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.

 

For me it is simple for me to be complete my mind, body and spirit have to work together. If one is lacking the entire system has an imbalance, and will eventually lead to some type of ailment. If a person is suffering from a mental ailment it is possible for them to seek council from someone like a priest, or a pastor for spiritual guidance, and in many cases this has been the starting point for their individual healing. For me personally when I had my knee injury, and the doctors told me I might never walk right, or even run I prayed daily, and believed strongly in the power of my own body's healing abilities, not only did I heal, but I healed 3 months ahead of schedule.

Unit 4 Blog

1. Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not?

My experience with this weeks Loving Kindness MP3 was a mixed one. At first it was really calming, and peacefully, but then it asked us to start taking in the negative event, or thought that were happening to ourselves and others. At first this was really upsetting. After being so calm just focusing on these things made me very sad almost instantly. It took a little time for them to just start melting away, but in all I think it was a good practice. I could see myself using it if I had a bad day.

1. What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

The concept is if you don't use it you'll lose it. Like the muscles of the body the brain needs to be in constant use to remain strong, and functioning properly. If this is not don't we will begin to regress, and forget much of what we have learned. There is research that shows that people that engage in a steady verity of mental workouts through out life have improved the memory, concentration and problem-solving skills of healthy adults 65 and older(MW, 2015). A way to implement mental workouts is to continue to learn new things about ourselves. Read material on psychological advancements, and how that may effect use personally,  continue to seek council, and guidance.

 

Mental Workout, 2015, Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, http://www.neurological.org.nz/brain-health/mental-workout