Running Head: PERSONAL APPLICATION OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF HEALING
Personal Application of the Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing
April McNair
Kaplan University
Final Project
HW420-03
Professor Susan Johnson Stewart, Ph.D.
September 28, 2010
I Introduction:
Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically? What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?
Allowing our mind-body and spirit to interact in wholeness will bring great healing and wellness to all humans involved. This will also allow any individual to be able to deal with any type of situation that comes into their environment. Professionals must have a complete understanding on what health and wellness really should contain for their clients to receive the full benefit. Spirituality actually offers benefits to your life, psychologically and physically. Once you develop your spiritual you gain a sense of purpose being able to figure out where you are most passionate in, whether it is your profession, social, and or personal life. So if the health and wellness professionals develop in these three areas they will most likely be in a better position to understand the needs of others. No one is perfect; I will have to continue to develop in all three areas on a daily basis. Physically would be my more challenging task.
II Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
I started becoming aware of the sources of my needless suffering, distress, and dissatisfactions I may have. And focus on what it will take in order for me to get the resources necessary for my future development and flourishing. Spiritually I would give myself a score of 7 out of 10; Physically 5 out of 10; and psychologically 7 out 10. I am not perfect, and I will always continue to grow in all three areas daily. As a reference I would use Dacher’s six principles of integral assessment as a reminder of not missing any important steps during my process towards human flourishing.
III Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Physically – I need to incorporate a daily regimen of exercise and stay active in doing so.
Psychologically – I need to continue changing my perspectives on situations that may bring stress into my life. Stay focus on positive things instead of negative, and learning how let go and not hold emotions in.
Spiritually – I will continue my growth in God’s Words, my faith, and prayer life. This is not an option for me; it is a must. Through any situation I experienced this was my strong suit.
IV Practices for personal health:
What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each example.
The essential steps of transformation through work, Yoga and meditation are what I would implement in order to foster growth physically, psychologically, and spiritually. I would first prepare my life daily by stabilizing my mind and opening my heart. Through out the day I would revisit the stillness and compassionate motivation for a few brief moments after my work serving others by becoming a healing presence for them. My intentions would be to use work as another practice, such as a spirit in action, and as a path to integral health. The more aligned the work environment is to my goal of an integral life the easier it will be. I would have to take it on as my own bringing it to integrity, consciousness, and compassion; reshaping my work as chosen (Dacher, 2006). Practicing these mindless steps daily will help me to reshape my mindset from old habits.
The practice of meditation daily would lead me to a deeper level of relaxation and contemplation. There are many important benefits of meditation; the most important is being able to release the stress from my body. In order to be free of constant worry, pressure and stress, practicing meditation will give me a life of calmness, peacefulness, happiness and relaxation. The practice of Yoga will assist me in managing and preventing stress, which is a combination of all three domains.
V Commitment:
How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months? What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness?
I will continue to keep a journal of my process now that I am consciously ready and willing to take the necessary steps to practice long term health and wellness. I would also refer back to Dacher’s eight principals of integral practice. Also the additional resources, such as the Shambhala Center in Atlanta would be beneficial for me to get involved. This would be my support system for me to stay on progress.
References
Dacher, Elliott S. M.D. (2006) Integral Health the Path to Human Flourishing
Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., and Micozzi, M.S. (2005) Consciousness & Healing:Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine
The Shambhala Centers
http://www.atlanta.shambhala.org
Retrieved: September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Unit 8 Optimal Well-Being: Exercises and Practice Sessions
1. Review the exercises and practice sessions you have completed in this course. (Loving Kindness, Subtle mind, Visualization, meditation etc.) Choose two practices that you have determined to be most beneficial. How can you implement these practices in your personal life to foster “mental fitness”? Provide specific examples.
The two practices that I have determined to be most beneficial were the loving kindness, and visualization exercise. I would try to implement these practices in my life daily in order to enhance mental fitness. The loving kindness exercise I would do at night time, right before I am going to bed due to me being in a more relax state of mind and it would be a little easier for me to focus on what I am trying to accomplish preparing me for the next day. Being able to serve others with loving kindness is a great reward in itself.
Visualization exercise I would do any time of the day because I can become creative with my environment especially if I am not feeling where I am at in that particular moment.
The two practices that I have determined to be most beneficial were the loving kindness, and visualization exercise. I would try to implement these practices in my life daily in order to enhance mental fitness. The loving kindness exercise I would do at night time, right before I am going to bed due to me being in a more relax state of mind and it would be a little easier for me to focus on what I am trying to accomplish preparing me for the next day. Being able to serve others with loving kindness is a great reward in itself.
Visualization exercise I would do any time of the day because I can become creative with my environment especially if I am not feeling where I am at in that particular moment.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Unit 7 Meeting Asciepius Exercise
1. Complete the "Meeting Asciepius" exercise on track #4 of the Dacher CD. Describe your meditative practice(s) 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?
While completing the Meeting Asciepius exercise; I was able to create an image of a person who I admire for their compassions and loving-heart. This individual had just recently shared their life story with me, and after that moment I was compelled to continue praying for him. The beam of light was not just coming from him; it was coming from me as well; meeting halfway and intertwining with one another. It was weird, but I could feel his pain, hurt, and see his fears. I actually had tears falling down my face for him; at times it was so intense that I had realized the tears were falling due to my hurt, pain, and fears as well.
See, we had similar life experiences, the only difference was I was a victim of rape, and domestic violence; his mother was murdered because of rape and domestic violence, when he was only fifteen months old; not founding out the details of her death until last year. Not even my children know the extra situations I had to deal with as being a teen mom on my own at sixteen years old. They know what I have experienced as a child; by being molested; but not what I had to endure raising my daughter, being independent as well.
Everyone is going through some type of hard times now with the economy being so weak. My car got repossessed last Friday, and of course the emotional state kicked in, trying to stay focus on the spiritual aspect of the situation was really hard to do. Not even the meditation practices could help at that moment. I just had to sit there and let the tears flow of me feeling angry, hurt, and frustrated; because now I had to adjust my life and my child to depending on trying to get help just to pick him up from practice after school so he would not have to quit the high school football team. And just for me to figure out how I will get my little errands done; everything is miles away, with no mass transportation around. I guess I did not start walking those 3 miles in the park for nothing 3 - 4 days in a week. After changing my perspective on the situation and just letting go of what I do not have control of, I started getting back within myself to find inner peace again. Daily, we have to renew our mind, body, and spirit; this is the only way you would be able to foster greater health and wellness.
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?
The saying “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” actually means one cannot minister to another persons situation if they did not experience it or had some type of similarity. Our lives is a walking testimony every day; we learn from each others situations; when you become a healer for yourself, you would be able to begin others to heal within themselves as well. You cannot practice something and expect it to work for others if you do not believe in the practice yourself for your life. As a professional, you would have to incorporate the practice of mindfulness practice daily; basically you have to believe in your purpose, your work, and live by the advice you give your patients.
While completing the Meeting Asciepius exercise; I was able to create an image of a person who I admire for their compassions and loving-heart. This individual had just recently shared their life story with me, and after that moment I was compelled to continue praying for him. The beam of light was not just coming from him; it was coming from me as well; meeting halfway and intertwining with one another. It was weird, but I could feel his pain, hurt, and see his fears. I actually had tears falling down my face for him; at times it was so intense that I had realized the tears were falling due to my hurt, pain, and fears as well.
See, we had similar life experiences, the only difference was I was a victim of rape, and domestic violence; his mother was murdered because of rape and domestic violence, when he was only fifteen months old; not founding out the details of her death until last year. Not even my children know the extra situations I had to deal with as being a teen mom on my own at sixteen years old. They know what I have experienced as a child; by being molested; but not what I had to endure raising my daughter, being independent as well.
Everyone is going through some type of hard times now with the economy being so weak. My car got repossessed last Friday, and of course the emotional state kicked in, trying to stay focus on the spiritual aspect of the situation was really hard to do. Not even the meditation practices could help at that moment. I just had to sit there and let the tears flow of me feeling angry, hurt, and frustrated; because now I had to adjust my life and my child to depending on trying to get help just to pick him up from practice after school so he would not have to quit the high school football team. And just for me to figure out how I will get my little errands done; everything is miles away, with no mass transportation around. I guess I did not start walking those 3 miles in the park for nothing 3 - 4 days in a week. After changing my perspective on the situation and just letting go of what I do not have control of, I started getting back within myself to find inner peace again. Daily, we have to renew our mind, body, and spirit; this is the only way you would be able to foster greater health and wellness.
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?
The saying “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” actually means one cannot minister to another persons situation if they did not experience it or had some type of similarity. Our lives is a walking testimony every day; we learn from each others situations; when you become a healer for yourself, you would be able to begin others to heal within themselves as well. You cannot practice something and expect it to work for others if you do not believe in the practice yourself for your life. As a professional, you would have to incorporate the practice of mindfulness practice daily; basically you have to believe in your purpose, your work, and live by the advice you give your patients.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Unit 6 Exercise for Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness and Healing
Describe the exercise and assessment process. The loving kindness exercise consists of repeating four phrases for 10 minutes. But first you must close your eyes for a minute or two to ease naturally into your mind and body. These phrases consist of words such as gain freedom from suffering, and finding sustained health, happiness, and wholeness. You are basically asking the cosmic to allow all individuals to have this and that you find ways of assisting them to gain it. The assessment process is something I actually try to do every night before I go to sleep. Being able to lay in quietness assessing your life and purpose is very beneficial for one to complete their goals in what ever they are trying to accomplish.
What did you discover about yourself? I discovered with a certain project that I need to complete, fear is the factor of me not completing it.
What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? I have to face those fears, but first I have to learn why that fear is there.
What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area? Continued meditation practices to seek the deeper meaning of the fear I am having when it comes to completing this particular project that I know deep within will be beneficial to readers.
What did you discover about yourself? I discovered with a certain project that I need to complete, fear is the factor of me not completing it.
What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? I have to face those fears, but first I have to learn why that fear is there.
What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area? Continued meditation practices to seek the deeper meaning of the fear I am having when it comes to completing this particular project that I know deep within will be beneficial to readers.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Unit 5 - Subtle Mind Exercise
1. Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.
The loving kindness exercise was easier to do because you was focusing on thoughts of love ones and of ones who harmed you. The subtle mind exercise was a little harder due to having to clear your thoughts and try to be in silence. This exercise would be easier for me to do when getting ready for bed, because this is what I actually try to do in order to have a well rested night.
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.
The spiritual wellness brings you into awareness of your inner self, once you are able to see your inner self you can then gain control of your mental state letting go of fear and witnessing how your mind works. The physical wellness will come from the healthy attitudes your mind, body, and spirit is producing as one.
The loving kindness exercise was easier to do because you was focusing on thoughts of love ones and of ones who harmed you. The subtle mind exercise was a little harder due to having to clear your thoughts and try to be in silence. This exercise would be easier for me to do when getting ready for bed, because this is what I actually try to do in order to have a well rested night.
2. Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.
The spiritual wellness brings you into awareness of your inner self, once you are able to see your inner self you can then gain control of your mental state letting go of fear and witnessing how your mind works. The physical wellness will come from the healthy attitudes your mind, body, and spirit is producing as one.
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