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?
The concept of developing psychologically, spiritually and physically should be important to any health care professional who honors the Aesclepian healing because starting off with a healthy psycho-spiritual mindful approach has been proven to be a monumental ingredient in achieving a higher state of health and wellness.
As a health care professional I can continue with these mindful practices as a modification to my past lifestyle, indefinitely, for better health and wellness. By doing so, not only will I (the healthcare professional) achieve a higher level of human flourishing, I will also stand out as a good role model/teacher for those whom long for the same and are tired of being beat down from needless suffering.
The integral model of health and wellness incorporates the holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit “wellness”. Everything starts with the condition of the mind and emanates outward. Just as our diet fuels the environment for our inner physiology, so the brains intentions do for our health and wellness potential.
The psycho-spiritual focus enables a person to examine their mind/spirit connection and its health. Elliot Dacher (2006) stated, “A disturbed mind results in a disturbed physiology.” We need to pay attention to our inner-awareness, mindfulness, and intentions if we are to foster greater health within each of us. Unlike physical fitness that diminishes as we age, there does not appear to be a limit to the inner development (training) of the mind (Dacher, 2006).
As a massage therapist and personal trainer I must be mindful and intentional of my own path towards integral healing in order to effectively heal myself treat and treat my patients/clients. This in turn would make me a more effective healer and practitioner of the integral healing model.
II. Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
Spiritually speaking, “I find myself on the path to a more spiritually sound plane.” I am realizing the interconnectedness of mind and body more than ever. However, I do not dedicate time each day for contemplative practice of integral healing. If I were to place my score in this area on a scale from 1-10 I would be close to, or just above a five.
Physically- I find the most challenging to be the biological aspect of fitness and proper nutrition.. I struggle with attaining enough fitness during any one week that enables me to flourish in the mind/body connection. Yoga, aerobic, and anaerobic exercise has become a part of my lifestyle in which I have experienced great euphoria and interconnectedness through its subtly meditative domains. Diet is yet another factor that is tough to handle day by day- especially in this modern era where convenience can be king, and whole foods can be costly. The foods and water we put into our bodies fuel our minds and give us strength. If we are what we think then we can most certainly feel what we put into our bellies. I would rate myself as a 7/10 in this field with opportunity for growth.
Psychologically- This have been a tougher area for me to solidify. The biggest challenge for me is to stray away from the three poisons of attachment, hatred, and close-mindedness-with the first one being the most challenging for me to overcome because of the appeal of material things in life. Integral healing starts with the witnessing mind, and as such I find myself adrift in a sea of thought at times.
I need more practice in dissolving unnecessary thoughts, listening to the voices of internal suffering, and practicing the subtle mind techniques to avoid reacting, and clinging to specific thoughts. Given these criteria I rate myself as a 7/10 in this domain. With daily practice, I hope to invoke a deeper calm-abiding, and sense of inner-peace.
III. Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Physical- My goal is two partake in physical fitness and wellness from 3 days a week to more than 5 days a week; increasing yoga practice from 2 days a week to 3-4 times per week, aerobic from 3 times a week to 5 days per week, and anaerobic (weight training) to be about the same. I feel this is an attainable goal for me given my current schedule, without starting out to strong, allowing opportunity for continued growth.
Psychological-Who wouldn’t want enhanced memory, improved mood, and well-being? I certainly do! Mental training could most definitely help me deal with my daily distress buttons that get set off. If I can wire my brain to deal with stress differently then I should be able end the destructive forces behind distress, create eustress, and begin my road to a richer and fuller life. My goal is to practice taming my mental chatter, and witnessing my mental tendencies while implementing calm-abiding.
Spiritual- This domain will benefit undoubtedly from enhancing the other two domains. By practicing loving-kindness I will assert my intentions in the universe, and expand my unity consciousness. My goal is to employ loving-kindness practices every day to allow the law of attraction to instill a sense of inner-peace and universal connectedness to all things.
Yet, another goal of mine in uniting and proliferating in all three of these domains is to listen to, and/or read about students and teachers of integral practices, and decipher their trials and tribulations of their integral health and wellness approaches.
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.
Physical domain- Some activities that would enhance my physical domain would be activities such as yoga that enhance the mind and body connection, gives focus on breath, and stretches all those tightly wound muscles that are used daily. As well, physical exercise (aerobic/anaerobic) can serve as mental training, whether I am in the gym or the great outdoors- I can unite the mind/body through this physical practice.
Other practices for greater physical wellness may include eating healthy, having a good social support network, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and adopting a healthy lifestyle that encourages flourishing in the four areas of the integral healing model.
We work out in the hope of gaining health, happiness, and wholeness, and in the meantime we involve our mental state (Dacher, 2006). Is has been shown that physical exercise helps to reduce stress considerably and aid in sleep quality, and diaphragmatic breathing is thought to have a spiritual essence that enhances physical calmness by uniting the body and mind as one (Seaward, 2004).
Psychological domain- Strategies for fostering a greater growth in this domain for me will be to practice daily the practice of calm-abiding guided Mp3 mind practice, and meditation through focusing on rhythmic breathing techniques, even when the mind deviates and wanders. Mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause anger, hatred, fear, worry, confusion, etc., and replacing them with positive emotions and thoughts like loving-kindness, acceptance, and happiness (Dacher, 2006).
Spiritual domain- Modalities such as yoga, fitness, and Qigong should indefinitely be incorporated into my life more regularly to sustain better health and well-being and to propel myself further along the road to spiritual flourishing. By utilizing and practicing an integral approach, Elliot Dacher states, “We can learn how to move with confidence and clarity toward genuine and sustainable health, happiness, and wholeness”. (2006)
I believe in the practice of meditation so much that I have made it part of my daily practice. Whether I am on a machine at the gym, hiking amongst nature, or engaged in yoga- I witness a higher level of self that comforts me in the unison of all things, feeling a spiritual awakening taking place..
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?
Continuing my weekly blog is a goal of mine that will help me see just how I am progressing with the contemplative practices, and taking responsibility for my own health and wellness. Once I have given myself ample time to experience these integral concepts for myself “first hand”, I will be able to realize the benefits that have come through contemplative practice, and hopefully they become a way of life for me. Sticking with my mind/body workouts to reduce needless pain and suffering, will further enable my psychospiritual development, and will prove to be invaluable tools for the mind/body to flourish.
Through the continued contemplative practice of meditation and calm-abiding I have come to understand that we can train our minds to dwell in a state of deep inner peace and loving-kindness. To find well-being is to find inner peace. The integral institute offers academic backgrounds from different scholars alike about the teachings and research behind integral health. Scholarly journals, forums, community news, and events, and are a great way for me to stay involved and grounded in my own practice, and further learn about the different programs and centers for meditation, community projects, and activities surrounding integral health and healing.
“Fueling thyself with vibrations of loving-kindness and digesting any unhealthy attitudes, or mental images, is a sanctuary for the aspiring healing heart.”
-Cory Swonson
References
Dacher, Elliott. (2006). INTEGRAL HEALTH: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications Press.
