Unit 10

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?

On a scale of 1-10 (ten being optimal well-being) I would rate my physical well-being, 7 (out of 10). I am physically healthy, at my ideal weight and in good physical shape, but there is always room for improvement. I would rate my spiritual well-being at a 6, I practice Buddhism, which places emphasis on practical methods for cultivating spiritual awareness and on the importance of finding the truth for oneself. It treasures loving-kindness, compassion, equanimity, clarity of mind, and wisdom. Its hope is to alleviate suffering and to create healing and transformation so that all beings may experience the highest peace (nirvana). The term “Buddha” means an “awakened” or “enlightened” one who has discovered true wisdom and attained nirvana (the cessation of desire) in this world. My psychological well-being, I would rate a 7 (out of 10) I am a genuinely happy individual, grateful to smile everyday, and encourage others to smile along with me. But, I am still discovering ways of coping with stress and my emotions. My score remains the same, although I have improved in all these aspects, because there is still so much room for growth. 

Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.

I have set a physical goal to exercise more often,  and have done so. Spiritually, I am  continuing mindfulness techniques and practices to help me to better understand my  mind, achieve happiness, and attain enlightenment. Psychologically, I wish to improve the way I handle the negativity within the world around me. Through meditation I can learn to observe my thoughts, understand my mind, and relieve suffering. 

Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain. I have implemented various activities to improve my well -being, by exercising, practicing mindfulness techniques, practicing yoga and meditating.

 
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?

My well-being has improved through the lessons, reading material, and practices this course has provided me with. I feel healthier and stronger in all aspects of the goals I have set for myself. The difficulties I have faced was trying to make the time to improve through the suggested practices. As a health care professional, we must set a good example for those we wish to help.

Unit 9

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?

The true way to happiness is the way to enlightenment. When we attain enlightenment, we awaken to the truth of our being, to the ideal way to live, and to knowing that we journey between this world and the other. As health and wellness professionals we must portray a healthy image to our patients, those we wish to follow a healthy lifestyle. We must practice what we preach, how else can we expect others to follow?! A person who is mentally healthy is not self-preoccupied, but is interested in the people and things around him or her. To understand healing we must consider the concept of the mind. The mind is non-physical. It is formless, shapeless, colorless, genderless, and it has the ability to cognize or know. The basic nature of the mind is pure, limitless, and pervasive, like the sun shining freely in a clear sky. In order to heal the mind and hence the body, we have to eliminate negative thoughts and their imprints, and replace them with positive thoughts and imprints. A healthy mind is a healthy body. We must be living proof to the lives of those we wish to change.

 I believe the path to enlightenment is endless; there is always room for growth, knowledge and wisdom. I am grateful to have found my path, to enter this journey to enlightenment with ease. I shall continue to grow healthier psychologically, spiritually, and psychically; healthy nutrition, spiritual exercise (yoga, meditation, qigong, tai chi), psychical exercise, are all methods I will continue to practice to maintain and improve my health so I may create a change in the lives I touch.

How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?

I have assessed my health within each domain, and although I am healthy in all aspects there is always room for improvement. If I was to grade myself at this current time in each domain I would give myself a fair 7 all around. . Our mind is like a cloudy sky, in essence clear and pure but overcast by the clouds of delusions. Just as the thickest clouds eventually disperse, so too even the heaviest delusions can be removed from our mind. Spiritually, I have found my path and I am working towards overcoming the negative thoughts in my mind, so my mind may be filled with positive, loving thoughts. Physically, I am grateful to say that I am very healthy, although I would be happier to find the time to exercise more so I may strengthen and tone my body more. Psychologically, I have a healthy, strong mind which at times gets the best of me, I am often my own worst critic, and I have always been very hard on myself. As a perfectionist, I find no room for personal flaws and am learning to love myself flaws and all.

List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

I have quite a number of goals set for myself within all of these areas. But, my primary goals would be to prioritize my time so I may find more time to focus on my needs; psychically my goal is to make the time to exercise more, I went from exercising 6 days a week to being lucky to find myself exercising a couple of days a week, this does not make me feel good physically or mentally. Physical exercise has so many wonderful benefits not only physically but mentally as well, and I truly miss reaping all the rewards. I am hoping to find ways to manage my time so I may indulge on my physical workouts once again. Psychologically, my primary goal would be to appreciate myself and all I do. As a perfectionist, I am my own worst critic, and more often than not, I tend to be too hard on myself. This has its benefits, this personal trait of mine allows me to strive in all I wish to achieve, but I find no room for failure, which at times produces fears, procrastinations, and heartache. I am working towards accepting myself flaws and all. Spiritually, I have come to find something I feel an intense connection with, a powerful force that guides me on my spiritual path. It is as if my spiritual path has found me, I feel chosen by the journey I now walk upon, with my angels guiding me every step of the way, I continue to learn each and every day, I continue to grow in each aspect of my life.

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 strategies I find best suits my personal growth in each of the following domains is…

Physically, I love yoga! Yoga gives me physical, mental and spiritual strength. When I practice yoga, it physically strengthens my body, toning my muscles, sweating out the toxins, improving my balance, core strength, improves my coordination, posture, increases my endurance, and increases my strength and vitality. I also love to Isometric exercises which is a highly effective way to strengthen and shape muscle, and requires no equipment and can be performed anywhere. It relies simply on the maximum contraction of a muscle. I practice these exercises as often as possible, the isometrics I can practice anywhere and since they require no equipment whatsoever, it is easy to practice often.

Psychologically, and spiritually, I am learning through meditation and breathing techniques to focus on the present moment, the awareness of being in the present moment helps me to recognize that there is no need for me to be so hard on myself. When I meditate my mind becomes clearer and more focused which helps me to achieve a better understanding of my thoughts and how to deal with them as they come, so I can develop healthier thoughts and breathing techniques keep me grounded this helps me to focus.

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?

Well, I expect to assist my progress in the next six months, and not the lack of. I am actually planning to re-read the books provided in this course, as well as many other books I have become very interested in which are closely related, these books will give me a deeper insight and motivation to continue my long term practices for improving my health and wellness. Through my yoga, meditation, exercise, and breathing techniques I plan to improve in each aspect along the way to reaching optimal health and wellness.

Unit 8 Meditation & the Subtle Mind

As someone who enjoys meditation I find my own practice of meditation most beneficial and gratifying. Though I did enjoy learning the various practices throughout this course. I liked the subtle mind practice most of all. It was close to my own meditation practice and enabled me to feel a sense of peace, and relaxation. I found a deeper meditative practice through the subtle mind exercise. This exercise is one I will continue to practice and implement throughout my life. 

Until next time,
Vanessa =-)

Unit 7: Meeting Aesclepius

I enjoy meditation and often dedicate my meditation to a loved one, someone I feel can benefit from the positive energy and healing I send their way. So, this particular exercise hit home and was one that I highly enjoyed. Through the reading materials, and meditation exercises throughout this course I am proudly awakened by the valuable, greatly beneficial knowledge instilled upon me. I know that meditation allows me to gain insight on my thoughts and enhances the control I have over my mind, helping me to train my mind to alter any negative, unhealthy thoughts into positive, healthy thoughts. Continuing these practices and being mindful over my thoughts, emotions, and actions will allow me to flourish at optimal health in all I do.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself"  I believe the meaning to this saying is, we must practice what we preach. We must have much more than knowledge to lead another, we must gain wisdom and insight through experiences. The knowledge that we seem so secure of is actually rather fragile, and uncertain; we do not know nearly as much as we think we know; the objects of knowledge are infinite. Wisdom is recognizing that knowledge is never absolute. True enlightenment consists of wisdom and insight. This is vital to the success of any individual working in the field of health. How can we expect others to gain health if they are following the wrong footsteps?! It is of great importance that I know firsthand how to care for myself, how to respect and love myself, before I can expect to teach others to do the same. If my mind is unhealthy, then my body will follow; if I am mentally and physically unhealthy there is no true way that others can lead me to reaching integral health. One must be in good health for others to follow. I live a fairly healthy lifestyle, and continue learning and growing through new experiences so that I myself will flourish and share the wisdom and insight I gain with every life I touch. 

Blessings and light,
Vanessa

This exercise was very uplifting. We all have a right to be here, free of needless suffering. Our lives should be filled with peace, love and wholeness. Each day I make it a point to see the beauty in my surroundings, and those I meet traveling along my path. At times it is challenging, as it can be difficult not to be angered by certain peoples actions. But, what I have learned and try to remind myself, is that I am not walking in that persons shoes. 

As I sat quietly and began meditating I asked myself  "What aspect of my life is the source of difficulty and suffering?"  And so I found myself focusing on the psychospiritual and biological aspects of my life, which as Dacher said is our most underdeveloped part. It is where we begin our journey to enlightenment, it is where we come to know our being and see our inner wisdom shine through.

Until next time,
Vanessa =-)

I found this exercise to be very relaxing and peaceful. It practices mindfulness, and unlike the loving-kindness practice I felt it  gave me more time to bring my mind back to its focal point. In the loving-kindness practice, I felt as I was being rushed onto the next step. My primary focus during meditation is my breath, its what keeps me grounded. The subtle mind practice emphasizes just that, the importance of breathing. The body follows the mind. When your spiritual wellness is strong, you will feel better inside and out.

Practicing Loving Kindness

Unfortunately, I did not find the Loving Kindness practice to be helpful the  few times I have tried it. I have been feeling under the weather lately, which is more than likely the main reason why I could not find my focus on this exercise. Also, I did  not feel soothed and comforted at all by the speakers voice. Which did not help at all. I think that with practice, and developing a better understanding of the requested tasks to complete in  this exercise, I may be able to find it helpful in the future.

The concept of "mental workout" is the restoration of well-being. Research has indicated there are many proven benefits that mental health can have on our overall well being. There are many approaches to awakening the mind, reaching enlightenment and human flourishing. Meditation, yoga, intercessory prayer, and practicing mindfulness are ways of implementing mental workouts to foster our psychological health.