Unit 10 final blog

Hello everyone, this is week 10 and the final blog for the course. In this blog we are to look at our self  assessment from unit 3 and track progress or not. We in unit 3 I had assessed my physical well being at a  5, and it is same. My psychological assessment was a 6 and I have been able to increase it to a 8, as well as my spiritual well-being was assessed at a 6 and is now at an 8. This was the goal I had for the remainder of the course. My plan is to  continue with the daily meditation increase the yoga and am determined to begin walking on the treadmill.

During this course we were enlightened that Human flourishing was possible for all to achieve if we just take the next step in our conscious awareness. Knowing this makes it almost impossible to return to thinking of wellness as we once did. Wellness does not just mean the body, it includes our mind and soul, and if we do not find balance and create harmony within these areas we will not achieve human flourishing.
The first steps on this path to continue practicing the subtle mind and loving kindness meditations.

I wish peace health and happiness to all.  

Unit 9 project

Integral health is flourishing health not only of the body; it includes the mind and the spirit of the human. It is a transformation of the way we see things, instead of looking at health as only being about the biological systems we must look at the entire being. By opening our minds and our hearts to the possibilities of loving kindness, peace and wholeness, we can obtain flourishing health. As health and wellness professionals it is important for us to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically to ensure that we are encompassing the full spectrum of health and life. Unlike the conventional approach of health that focuses on the body, integral health focuses on a holistic approach that includes the mind and spirit along with the body. The final goal of integral health is human flourishing – a profound, hardy, and sustained health, happiness, and wholeness (Dacher, 2006).  As practitioners to best serve our clients we need to live our lives in the integral approach. It is not an expansion of any current paradigm, it is a true transformation of being, a new level of consciousness requiring us to take the next step. To share the experience we must live the experience. Personally I need to build on all areas to achieve my goals. I am far from having integral health.

In assessing my personal needs physically I need to change my eating habits. I would like to return to a more organic vegetarian way of eating. I would also like to get back to my regular workout schedule, of going to the gym 3 days a week. Psychologically I need to reduce my stress levels, multitasking isn’t a technique I want to master. I want to master control over my mind, being able to achieve a subtle mind. My spiritual assessment, I need to get back to the peaceful closeness of communing with my creator on a more consistent basis.

The goals I have set for myself physically get back to organic vegetarian eating, psychologically to reduce stress regular meditation and yoga; the yoga will also work towards improving my physical well being, and spiritually meditation that connects my energy with that of the universe.

To achieve my goals I have created a plan that includes waking up early enough every morning to start the day with spiritual mediation, and yoga. I have begun shopping at the local market that sells organic vegetables and reducing the amount of meat in my diet. I have also joined a local gym to get back to working out. And throughout the day I have begun taking my lunch break as a mental health break. By leaving the office for lunch I am able to take the time to practice deep breathing, stretch and let go of the stress of the day. This allows me to have a fresh perspective when I return. A happier, healthier, less stressed me makes a better work environment for everyone.

To track my progress, I have included telling my family about my plans. In sharing my plans with others it holds me accountable not only to myself but to them. I have also set scheduled times for achieving my goals; these indicators will allow me to track progress. Holding myself accountable, if the goals I set are not meet then who suffers, no one but me. Obtaining long term success in my goals will be a life long journey. Life is a journey and obtaining flourishing health, happiness, and wholeness are the rewards.

optimal well-being

This week were to pick our favorite two exercises from the three we have had. The two favorite of mine are the "subtle mind" and " visualization" exercises. When practicing the subtle mind  exercise I was able to calm the whirl wind of thoughts in my  head. When the thoughts  tried to take root and come front and center I was able to acknowledge them and then let them move off to the side. Once the calm had entered I was able to see things from a different perspective. The other exercise I enjoyed was the visualization. I found that during the business of life we don't take the time to remember the good happy times, this exercise allowed me the time to do this, and in doing so offered an insight into what integral health is like. Complete happiness, and wholeness of feeling, which will lead me towards complete health. Remembering what this happiness feels like gives a glimpse of what we can achieve all the time if we just open our minds to this greater consciousness.

Meeting Asclepius

This week we were to meet Asclepius, or our spiritual mentor. Imagining the person who could lead us towards the next level of consciousness. During this exercise there was a deeper feeling of peace and calm. This was very beneficial  for me this particular week. I had a lot going on at work, long days that didn't stop when I got ho,e. My mind kept going thinking about what was going on and planning on how to work through it. BY practicing this week I was able calm my mind enough to look at things differently.

This weeks exercise we were comparing the "Loving Kindness " exercise and the " Subtle Mind" exercise; when I did the " Loving Kindness exercise I felt a warm electric like energy tingling in me. As we were instructed I sent "loving thoughts" towards those that I knew were in pain (mental & or physical) The stronger the thought  of love were for this person the warmer and for lack of a better term more tingly the energy in me became. When I practiced the "Subtle Mind" exercise I felt very at peace & relaxed. I could see all the issues going on in my mind, yet I didn't feel over whelmed by them. The experience was like watching a movie, in the sense that I could see the issues at hand and visualize solutions from a non emotional place.
Being able to see things in a different light makes it easier to find solutions or to realize that it's just not in your control so why worry about it. Daily life is a gift to be cherished every morning is a new start. The journey we are on shouldn't be rushed to a final destination, but enjoyed for the opportunity that it is. And hardships we face along the way as bad as they may seem help us to see the beauty in the quite we would have otherwise  thought boring and uneventful.  

Based on my reflections I would rate my physical well-being as a 5, my spiritual well-being 7 and my psychological well-being as a 6. My goal is to increase my rating on the scale to an 8 on the physical, spiritual and psychological. What I can do to achieve this goal, 30 minutes on the treadmill a day, incorporate yoga and meditation at least twice a week. Walking on the treadmill will increase health as well as decrease stress which will also increase health. The yoga and meditation will increase my spiritual and psychological well-being.

Hello Everyone,
I'm Anne Marie and this is my first blog. I started it because it is an assignment for a course I'm taking "Creating Wellness: Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing". I'm looking forward to all the course has to offer and sharing my insights.
I hope all that read the blog enjoy.

Have a great day!