Assignment 9

Hector Bill

Kaplan University

HW420-01: Creating Wellness-Psych. & Spirit.

Mark Maule

 

 

Introduction

Like the title of my paper says, it is important to practice what you preach. Having experienced and developed an appreciation of the methods of integral health can better serve clients and patients who seek your advice and guidance. The challenges of taking those first new steps into an adventure of a new lifestyle are exciting, bewildering and sometimes frightening. The achievements that follow will feed the hunger for more results/outcomes with daily reminders internally setting a mindful-tone to watch your dietary considerations, time management with scheduling, and physical participation hopefully in something gratifying thus sustainable. If a client asks, I can state my personal journey, as a “mind” thinking that contemplated change is needed (overweight, depressed and have low self-esteem), finding a solution (exercise program, P90X & yoga) that works for you and is enjoyable, being consistent by tracking progress with a calendar and/or other means, keeping a journal for emotional feelings and diet, getting daily support from friends or family (watch-out, some friends could get jealous), and staying consistent with a time frame to workout. Exercise is wonderful and provides the body release from the effects of stress, builds sexy muscle and melts fat, increases oxygen to the body and increases alertness, makes a connection to psychology with improved cognition and positive feelings, physically provides cardiovascular and anaerobic strength, and spiritually by relaxing the “monkey mind” so you can go within to “self” easily.

After a great workout, or even a mediocre workout, the experience is one of accomplishment and satisfaction that transcends throughout the day to help fight worry. I have found daily exercise to relieve my mind's wondering tendencies thereby allowing me greater focus, concentration and analytical thinking abilities.  Our bodies are meant to move and we respect our bodies, mind and spirit by performing routines that satisfy that biological and psychospiritual need. This process allows for better communication with our body, fitness and spiritual growth. A restless mind can be tamed through physical exertion to access better the inner-mind and spirit. Hiking is a great way to satisfy physical needs and witness natures rhythms, energies and vibrations which also access our inner-selves for clearer thinking and calmness with the universal mind. We also eliminate toxins and excess hormones that pollute our thinking, immunity and metabolism by intentional movement at a level of moderate to intensive for thirty minute or more. But also short burst of exercise with intensity like sprints with proper warm-up and cool-downs are effective along with brisk walking in intervals. "Variety is the spice of life!"

I can improve in all areas of my person spiritually, mentally and physically. Times and circumstances change. What worked yesterday will not necessarily work today. Our bodies change with age, as do our minds and needs. Finding solutions to life’s demands requires awareness, commitment and searching. I have been extremely fit, fat and in the middle grounds throughout my life, so staying focused on priorities is the key to happiness, as is being flexible. Extreme physical fitness is my goal; my mind prepares and psyches itself up for the task I am contemplating, as I visualize my body the way I want it to be, sends signals to my tissues, muscles and cells to prepare for the inevitable shape I desire. Mental exercise and thinking with spiritual energy and determination is the root of my power and the outcome will manifest physically. We use all aspects of “wholeness” when we utilize spirit, psychology and our physical bodies into action.               

Assessment

On a scale of 1 through 5, as a whole I rate myself an eight, but I am always striving for improvement. Psychologically (8) I am fit and always reading, listening to music (New Age or Classical) and researching how we are one with nature, the cosmos and universe. This in turn inspires and lights my spiritual candle. Physically I am an eight and have made great strides with weight management and fitness. I love to work-out, walk, hike, swim, run, and canoe. This is a great time to share the love of physical activity with the family and teach my kids how nature is one with us. Five years ago I was obese, type two diabetic and depressed. Those conditions are related to thought, and vice-a-versa. My spiritual self has awakened and is higher than my other two aspects; I would say a nine due to my focus on improving my spiritual “real-self”. I first recognized my spiritual self as a child, going hand and hand to church with my grandmother, who answered as many questions as she could that I queried. I stayed in-tune and aware of my soul and listened to myself deep within for guidance and comfort. I really never felt alone or disconnected but I did have anger towards my upbringing and impoverished condition. I have forgiving myself and parents for the troubles we endured, knowing that they did their best under those circumstances and their mental fortitude. I learned young that substance addiction (alcohol, tobacco and drugs) is something to avoid and can ruin a family life!  

Goal Development

Physically my goal and struggle has been keeping the fat off, so back to basics, no more beer connoisseur for me, just plain water and kombucha. It’s all about diet, an hour a day of intense physical activity and Tony Horton. I need to lose ten pounds of blubber to get back my slim male figure. I thoroughly enjoy physical exercise and partake in it four to six days a week but like I said it’s the diet. I am fit but need to lose the beer-belly! By the way, I am a happy drinker thanks to my parent’s dramas.

Psychologically, I have more forgiving to do and must meditate on them to find the abuser. I have been wronged and need to rectify a mental picture. I can forgive without their presence and will do so. I have a healthy attitude towards others and have dedicated myself to improving my attitudes, perceptions and emotions. What I see is love and respect towards myself, fellow man-kind and of course our beautiful planet. What I witness in my emotions and attitudes is like watching a movie. I can view my mental pictures and attached emotions, critique them and go within for guidance before I respond to the world. My goal is to solidify the lessons I have already learned by reading, becoming a professional in the field of holistic medicine, and continuing my research and education.

Spiritually, I will not stop enjoying the journey, taking trips into nature, reading about Buddha and gurus, Christ and the Almighty, oneness and the cosmos, unity consciousness and infinite wisdom. Through loving-kindness and universal love, respect for all species plus taking care of our habitat, planet Earth, we can change our world to include every one of us valuable precious entities. My job will be to help others see we are all the same people, that we should be grateful for what we have been giving to protect and respect. We need to help those who need help with their journey, not just throw them away like trash. That is the human thing to do and a universal oneness principal to value. 

Practice for Personal Health

Physically I have a structured program to follow. I can log into Team Beachbody to track my workouts, get fitness advice and nutrition suggestions and recipes. I have in my possessions many fitness programs, but I am bored with them and need new stimulation. So, I will order P90X2 and follow that program to completion just like I did the others. Second, I will make sure I eat better by following the nutrition plan that comes with the program, shopping for only the things on the diet plan. My obstacle is drinking my calories, so I will not purchase beverages with sugar or alcohol.

Intention will steer my efforts psychologically. What I have learned to do better from this class is to become the driver of my vehicle with purpose. My grandmother used to say, “Your body is a vessel and you are the captain of the ship!” I will use the practices suggested in our text for Contemplative Practice, A Taste of Human Flourishing and Journey to the Center (Dacher, 2006) to still my restless mind into condition just like P90X does for my body. I have found mental fitness exercises to be of great value and a welcomed addition to my arsenal and tool bag of practices. The mountains are a great place to escape and regenerate my mind. My retreats can be physical or just visual adventures, depends on my need and days off. At work, I use visualization practices with breathing techniques. At home audio CD’s, yoga or formal meditation sessions using mind focus of breath or love-one. I usually visualize calmness settings while driving silently down the highway or retreating outdoors to look at the sky, breathe fresh air or do mental imagery in the bathroom for short periods. A few minutes is all I need to build-up strength, courage and determination to finish my duties. Sometimes work assignments are used to redirect my focus and get into the creative mood of consciousness.   

  

Commitment

I have been on this trek for over five years now, so my commitment is progressive and constant. Continuous learning has been and will be my creed for a lifetime, as well practicing what I encourage as supportive and solutions. All this while listening respectfully to what my clients feel as what is right for them. We are so lucky to have the internet, cell phones, libraries, websites, associations, institutions, and personal diligence to find solutions to chronic conditions that biomedical approaches haven’t been able remedy. What a concept, the whole person, mind, body and spirit as the healer which is available through the opening of guided passages, new discoveries, intuitive inward listening, and a community of support and encouragement. I am addicted to learning about health and wellness, that evolving integral view that encompasses Eastern and Western approaches but also opens up the field to include self-centered, dynamic and holistic possibilities to the patient for self-discovery. My profession and passion is here now, along with my focus and determination to help others find solutions to their problems that empower them to seek higher consciousness and physical health. I have taking the steps myself, so I can be a witness and guild to others to find solutions. Just thinking about that inspires me to move forward to find meaningful ways to assist others find health, enlightenment and universal love, so we can work together to spread the news we have found something useful to combat disease that is effective, non-invasive and shows the potential of self-healing with communal assistance. My whole life I have sought something useful. I have found my calling in life and its humanities destiny. Through reconnecting to our Mother Earth and Father Sun Image in the universe, calming our minds to hear the messages, and working in unison as a whole, we will overcome our many obstacles through divine wisdom and loving-kindness which will bring in a new level of reality and existence for humanity.   

Reference:

Dacher, E. S. (2006). The Integral the Path to Human Flourishing Health. Laguna Beach, CA : Basic Heaith Publication.