Unit 9: Final Project

Introduction

            It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically to adequately teach and train others to move beyond the ordinary to the extraordinary. Our behaviors can influence those around us and when we have a grasp on life and a good value system we can motivate others to change their behaviors. We can show value to enhance the reasoning to help someone else change their outlook on their relationships, their health, and their spirituality. Through the integration and alignment of our mind, body, and spirit we become the most powerful healing resource, and this allows us to pay it forward.

            The areas I need to develop more fully to achieve the goals I have set for myself are: Physically able to complete the "Tough Mudder" in December of this year. Eat a completely clean diet, and make sure I get enough sleep every night. Spiritually I have stopped being so reactive and have begun to seek a larger truth, one with meaning, purpose and fulfillment. My spiritual journey will be a gradual process of development as I am seeking to find the divine in all living things. Psychologically I need to develop the concept of universal loving kindness and gratitude. I have made progress in these areas, however, it is something that I need to work on.

Assessment

            I have assessed my health in each domain by thorough unbiased contemplation in each area. I have tracked my journey throughout this course and have determined I have grown, learned, and have become a much more balanced person. There is great possibilities for growth and development in all areas, as integral health is a continuing process that never ends, it is constantly changing, and flexibility and focus are necessary for true happiness and wholeness to be achieved.

            On a scale from 1 - 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 being the best)

            Physically - 8

                        Physically I have become stronger through my exercise regimen and believe I am where I wanted to be. I have continued my goal to become much stronger and faster so I will be able to complete the "Tough Mudder" I will be competing in at the end of the year. I have also been incorporating a "clean" diet which will enhance my health and allow my body to function better.

            Spiritually - 6

                        Spiritually I have reached a realm that I never thought possible. Through meditation I have gone places I never thought I would. My meditation practices have allowed me to "see" things that are of this world and even beyond. I still have a long way to go here, however, I am full of hope and determination that I will get there through commitment and dedication.

            Psychologically - 8           

                        Psychologically I have found an inner peace that enables me to control the situations at work that have in the past aggravated me. I have become grateful, compassionate, and have found an inner peace that allows me to project that to my patients, co-workers, and in my work environment. I have become more in tune with my thoughts and feelings and I am able to modify them when they become counterproductive.

Goal Development

                        My physical goal is to compete and complete a Tough Mudder competition in December of this year. I will accomplish this through a strict exercise routine and a "clean" diet. My exercise routine with incorporate strength training, running, and yoga for flexibility. I will continue to work-out 6 days per week and make sure I get enough sleep every night. To accomplish this I have set mini goals for each month and to increase the intensity as each month goes by.

                         My spiritual goal is to expand my consciousness and to focus on intention. I will accomplish this through meditation (daily), yoga (daily), and participation in the arts (daily). By focusing on intention, knowing my goals, and seeing them manifest will bring a certainty and reality to them. I will trust my instinct, find a mentor - I am looking to go to the Shambhala Center - and I will just go for it. The goal here is to enter the spiritual life, the effortless state of clarity, peace, alertness, wisdom, oneness, and grace.

                        My psychological goals are to seek out more joy, diminish stress, and to find my own truth. I will do this through visualization (4 times per week), the loving kindness exercise (3 times per week), and through self-awareness exercises (daily). This will allow me to change my thoughts, thus changing the world around me. By believing in myself, and what I can do, will affirm it in my actions.

Practices for Personal Health

            Physically    

                        1. Cross Training - I will continue to cross train 6 times per week to condition the different muscle groups. Cross training allows me to be flexible in my exercise regimen, conditions the entire body, and reduces the risk of injury. I will incorporate running, inline skating, and cycling for cardiovascular exercise. For strength I will use free weights, bands, and my own body weight while incorporating yoga for flexibility. On days that I don't have a lot of time I will do a circuit training where I can include cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and strength within the same routine.

                        2. Clean Diet - A clean diet incorporates unprocessed, natural foods, and eliminates man-made processed foods. A clean diet boosts health and athletic performance. The theory behind the Clean Diet is the cleaner the food you put in your body, the better it will function. Unprocessed foods are nutrient dense and generally lower in calories, and more filling due to the water and fiber content.

                        3. Sleep - I will listen to my body and make sure I am getting enough sleep every night. I will set a time to go to bed without reading or the television on. I generally require about 6 - 7 hours of sleep per night and occasionally I require about 9 hrs of sleep.

            Spiritually

                        1. The Arts - Art (whether it is through dance, song or painting) is a form of prayer and spiritual expression. Engaging in the arts can be a healing experience because of its capacity to help us realize the divine and the divine in each of us. Art comes from the soul and the energy that fuels the basic force of life. I will include all forms of art into my life on a daily basis. I will take up painting again, sing (like no one is listening), and dance (like no one is watching).

                        2. Bhakthi Yoga - Bhakthi means devotion, a form of spiritual yoga that I will continue to do on a daily basis. The object of devotion can be any deity or divine incarnation and through constant devotion the divine is reflected in every aspect of life. Bhakthi yoga is more a form of meditation than it is of poses and breathing, it is used to become one with the higher power in your life. Practicing this form of yoga brings a life of fulfillment, happiness, and wholeness.

            Psychologically

                        1.Loving Kindness Exercise - I will continue with the loving kindness exercise at least three times per week. By continuing this effort it will allow me to embrace life, soften my mind, and open my heart. Additionally, this exercise will guide me to a deeper meaning of life.

                        2. Visualization - I will use the visualization exercise, Meeting Asclepius, from the text Integral Health at least four times per week. By using this form of meditation I can connect with my goals, and live as I am already in possession of them.

                        3. Self Awareness Exercises - Self awareness depends on the congenital capacity of your mind to focus. Developing this awareness requires systematic observation and practice and within a short amount of time I will be able to relax on demand. Once this is mastered I should be able to differentiate facts from emotions, so that my emotions do not undermine my efforts.  By practicing self awareness on a daily basis, with time I will be able to remove all negative thinking, remove emotional barriers, and develop a calm and abiding mind. In this way I can become a better person, contributing to a better world, and move towards sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.

Commitment

            I will track my progress through a few different means. I will track my spiritual and parts of psychological journey through journaling as this process is necessary to see where I have been and where I am going. My physical journey is done on a spread sheet as this means is easiest to track my progress as well as what needs to be done. I also track progress on my yahoo calendar, as I leave myself notes and reminders of where I want to be and in what time frame. I have reminders sent to me when my goal date is drawing near. I find all these tools valuable and helps to keep me on track.

Unit 8: Meditation & Visualization Practices

Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama ~

The practices that I have found to be the most beneficial to me are the Subtle Mind and the Visualization exercises.

By using my breathe to calm my mind, I can go into a very deep and relaxing state. This was initially hard for me to do as I had tended to go towards a mindfulness meditation prior to this course. I have learned to do this anytime and anywhere. This practice has such a calming effect on me that I have found my entire nature has changed. My memory is better and my mind is clearer. I have been able to focus and I do not depend on 100 lists anymore so not to forget things. (so in addition to calming my mind I am able to save a tree)

The visualization exercises were very easy for me to do. I was able to focus on the images presented in the text, remember them so as to do the exercise on my own, under the stars, my favorite place to meditate. I found after practicing the visualization exercise that my "veil" seems to be busyness. I have never been one to be idle, I always have to be doing "something". But I have noticed my walk is slower, I notice things, and I truly see.

 I can implent these practices everyday by continuing my meditation practices. By being aware of every moment and event that happens in my life and those around me. I will remember to breathe and smile, to take a moment to let go and just be. I will appreciate and be grateful for every moment and event that happens and treat them as a moment of change and freedom. I will treat every simple piece of repetive, manual work as the ultimate divine service, for that is what it is.

I will continue on my quest for complete and utter abandonment through loving kindness. I will think before speaking and become aware of what motivates my words.

I will take an example from the monks, everytime they would hear the wind chimes and bells of the temple they would take two breaths. I will do this every time I hear a cell phone. This will not only remind me to breathe, but will also enable me to be aware of my surroundings.

Peace ~ Robin

Unit 7: Meeting Aesclepiyus

"There is one thing which, if practiced and developed conduces to letting go, giving up, stilling, calming, higher knowledge, awakening and to Nirvana. And what is that one thing? It is the recollection of peace."
~ Buddha ~

These meditative practices and experiences have become awe inspiring to me. The following took place this week and I understand that some may find it hard to believe, but it is the absolute truth. On Sunday night I practiced my meditation exercises outside under the stars and became so relaxed and my mind became completely empty and calm, there was such a peace I had never experienced. When I completed my exercise I got ready for bed and that night, I experienced the deepest most peaceful sleep that I can ever remember encountering. So deep and peaceful, I didn't hear my alarm clock, my phone ringing (work calling to see where I was), or my grandkids knocking on my door, (they told me that night they were trying to wake me up). Thus, I was two hours late for work!

Not until I practiced the "Meeting Aesclepius" exercise did I remember the dream I had that night.

I was in a field, it was night with the only light coming from the moon and the stars. There was a group of people, and as it was dark I could only make out their silhouettes, we were all holding hands in a large circle. I can remember we were meditating as there was a "humming" sound coming from us all. As we progressed through this exercise a beam of light came from a figure in the sky that was hovering over us. This figure was in a full lotus position just hovering and the beam of light was coming from its head and then it engulfed our heads, this lasted for a while when another light came from the figures throat and engulfed our throats. I can remember the dream so vividly now, and can remember a peace and divine feeling flow through my entire being. From there a third light came from the figures heart and flowed into the hearts of all of us there. This again lasted for quite a while and the feeling and emotion that passed through me can be nothing less than nirvana.

That day and the next day at work (and at the time didn't quite understand it) I had so much compassion and peace. We were extremely busy as we had more than 70 people in the ER throughout the entire day. This would normally have caused stress, but I didn't feel stress at any time. I went through my day caring for my patients in a way I never experienced. I was able to calm them, relieve their anxiety, and had complete strangers tell me they loved me. This was all due to the fact that my "nature" was calm and at peace. And now as I remember my dream, I know that was the reasoning behind my "nature" change.

This is what the meaning is, of the saying "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself." How are we able to lead someone if we have not experienced it our self? How would we know if they have gotten there if we have never been? We all have an obligation to our clients/patients to be the best we can be, physically, psychologically, and spiritually. We need to do this to be able to bring the awareness to all of our clients/patients. This buts the meaning, purpose, and love back into the practice of medicine. (Schlitz & Amorok, 2005)

Peace, Love and Tranquility

Robin

Unit 6: Well On My Way

I have been repeating the phrases from the loving kindness exercises for about four days now, I carry them with me where ever I go. This has been a very personal and eye opening experience. As stated in an earlier post this is one of the hardest things for me to do, to extend loving kindness to strangers or people I deemed "unworthy" of receiving loving kindness. Who am I do deem that? What an "ego" I have! This was a very emotional day when  this realization came to me.

I am very blessed to have a loving family and close personal friends, however, the aspect in my life that has been missing is extending loving kindness and compassion to ALL living beings equally, without exception.

This is why I have chosen (or was this chosen for me) to focus my growth on the Interpersonal.

The practice of loving kindness begins at home, even though these are the people we love the most, sometimes they are the ones that aggravate us the most too. Here at home I always had the phrases "May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness" and "May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness." I consciously had to keep these thoughts in my mind, I remained calm, I listened, and I did not react. This is not something I will perfect overnight, it will take a conscious effort on my part, but I have noticed differences in the people around me, or is it I that have changed and I am actually seeing them for who they really are....individuals. Individuals who are not perfect, who mess up, who try your nerves, but at the end of the day you love them and you would not be complete without them.

Work.......hmmm, when I read in chapter 10, that "To achieve integral life and health, work must become sacred, not when we find the right job, but right now when it is a challenge." (Dacher, 2006) Don't get me wrong I do like what I do, even if it is not what I want to do forever. It is just that it is very stressful, exhausting, and the people (co-workers and patients alike) can be a bit annoying. However, this is the place I need to be at this time, in this very moment. This was my revelation, this is the perfect opportunity for me to practice loving kindness. These people are strangers, as I see many patients every day. I must work with each one I come in contact with, because if I cannot work with the one in front of me, how can I expect to have compassion and loving kindness to ALL living beings?

Here is where I practice "May all individuals gain freedom from suffering." and May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering." What an opportunity I have! I have found that a kind word, a touch of a hand, a smile, a word of encouragement to all that I come in contact with is worth more to that patient then I will ever really know. I see it on their face. I see when someone is upset, or hurting, and they are becoming angry by remaining calm, lowering my voice, and really understanding (not just saying you understand), but really understanding and opening your heart to them, has a profound affect not only to them but to me too.

Again, this is going to take some time and some conscious effort on my part, but seeing a glimpse of the potential here, I am more than willing to forge ahead and see where this will lead.

Peace ~ Robin

"Real compassion comes from seeing the suffering of others. You feel a sense of responsibility, and you want to do something for them. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being."

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama ~

Unit 5: The Subtle Mind

Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in its course. It will go its own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find  the grooves, the cracks, the crevices. Just follow it. Never let it out of your sight. It will take you....

~ Sheng-yen ~

The Subtle Mind exercise was so much more enjoyable to me than the Loving Kindness exercise. Practicing this brought me such inner peace and calm from the very beginning. I even thought I could smell the ocean. I felt that I was able to remove myself from my thoughts and feelings and was able to watch them come and go. I was not affected by them they just "were" and then they "were not". After practicing for two days I was able to do this practice on my own without the audio and that was even better. It was such an amazing feeling to just let go, and just be. There were times when a thought came and went and it made me smile or made my face tense up, but I was easily able to release this and focus again on my breathe. Overall this exercise was very fulfilling, as I needed this after a very busy and eventful week.

Spiritual wellness is very personal and involves an individual perspective based on one's own beliefs and values. In the search for spiritual wellness, one is able to ponder the purpose of our lives and that of others. We are able to seek and find the perfect balance of harmony between the physical and mental (outside), and the spiritual (inside). To be able to live life in a fulfilling manner, the mind/body/spirit must be integrated in a purposeful manner.

This process can be manifested in my personal life through many factors;

            Being mentally active - which can involve creativity

            Being aware of my emotions - expressing them appropriately

            Believing in myself - being genuine and accepting my positive qualities as well as my imperfections

            Work satisfaction -  using my skills, and manage my workload

            Having a sense of humor - being able to laugh at myself

            Stress management - manage time, energy, and setting limits

            Connection with others - through friendships and family, trust and understanding

            Spirituality - belief in a higher power and a sense of oneness with the universe

            Taking care of myself - preventive, downtime, exercise and nutrition

            Peace ~ Robin