Unit 10: Lasting Impressions

1.      In Unit 3 I rated myself as a level 8 in all areas of development. Reflecting on the progress that I have made, I would still rate my physical area as an 8 mainly because I have not been able to progress as fast as I would have hoped. I can see the benefits beginning to work, but it is an ongoing process. I know that part of this is due to me taking on a second job that will allow me to utilize my degree. I need to adjust to my new schedule and manage my time to add in more exercises. Spiritually I now rate myself an 8.5. I am growing and developing as I practice meditation and relaxation exercises. I will continue to improve as I learn. Psychologically I am at an 8.5 as well. I feel much better about myself. My self-esteem is beginning to rise. The more that I practice the exercises we have learned, the more confidence that I am building.

2.      In reviewing the goals and activities from Unit 3 I am making some progress in these areas. The more that I work toward them and believe that I am making progress, the more I accomplish. I know that once I reach these goals I will have to continue to condition myself to maintain and exceed.

3.      I have implemented several of the activities that I chose for my well-being in each of the areas. I practice several of the meditation and relaxation exercises from this unit on a daily and weekly basis. I have added a little yoga into my routine along with more time outside as the weather is improving.

4.      I feel more knowledgeable about integral health and wellness upon completion of this course. This has been an eye-opening class for me personally. I have grown personally, professionally, physically, spiritually, and psychologically. As a person, I am much more conditioned in every area that I wanted to be. Everything about this journey has been rewarding. The research has backed up several claims regarding the benefits of integral health. In following these practices myself, I am also beginning to see the results as well. What has been difficult is to find the time to put everything into a plan. I do my best and know that one day, with persistence and belief, I will overcome this obstacle. I will use this experience as a testament to the benefits of integral health. I will implement many of the activities learned to help others foster their health and wellness. I have gained resources that I can share with others who are considering this path as well. Overall, I am completely satisfied with everything that the integral path to health and wellness has to offer us all.

Unit 9: Personal Application

Personal Application

I.                   Introduction

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically. Practitioners must be transformative, comprehensive, and able to evolve as medicine grows. They must change themselves if they are changing the medicine they are practicing to be closer to the soul of healing and to develop themselves into talented and rich healers. They are the key to evolution and fulfillment as they are agents of a more expansive health. Practitioners have to be willing to explore aspects of their own inner life to discover the profound possibilities of integral health and healing. In doing so they gain the confidence to teach others and create a better world (Dacher, 2006).

I personally need to develop in all areas to reach goals that I have for myself. Since all areas are interconnected, any exercises and studying that I am involved in will help to educate me and allow me to grow and develop. My consciousness needs to be thoroughly conditioned and trained so that I may flourish in health and wellness.

II.                Assessment

I have assessed my health in each domain through personal integral assessments. There are different needs throughout life. As we reach these goals, we may move on to the next. I am average in fitness and nutrition but know that my mind needs further developing psychologically and spiritually to be able to excel in all domains. All lines of development take me toward my goal evolving from body to mind to spirit. Spiritually, through meditation practices, I have become much stronger and know that to continue to flourish; I will need to continue to condition myself in this area. Physically I am strong and healthy but there are aspects in this domain that need working on. I would like to be stronger and gain endurance and flexibility. I can obtain this with some relaxation and meditation exercises such as yoga and Tai Chi. Psychologically I have grown so much through this class. Stress no longer takes control of my mind. I can continue to utilize the practices I have learned and research new exercises to continue to build on my strengths. Creating an integral practice program for myself, and continuously transforming my daily routines and interactions into my integral practice will allow me to practice all of the time (Dacher, 2006).

III.             Goal Development

Physically I have the goals of strength, endurance, and flexibility. Psychologically I have the goal of increasing my self-esteem so that I unconditionally love myself. I need to love myself in order to love others. Spiritually I have the goal of obtaining a unity consciousness.

IV.             Practices for Personal Health

To foster growth in each domain, I will implement practices and exercises into my daily routine. Physically I will add mind/body approaches such as yoga and Tai Chi. I will add strength training more often throughout the week and will add more organic foods to my diet. Changing my individual mindset through meditation techniques, I can visualize the increase in strength, flexibility, and endurance. My mind can help me achieve this physical goal such as the Olympians train themselves (Dacher, 2006).

Psychologically I will practice the loving-kindness exercise several times a week. I can also add the mini-practice of universal loving-kindness a few times a week as I develop and expand my mind and heart. I will be able to transform my feelings of anger to a universal loving-kindness (Dacher, 2006).

Spiritually I will practice the subtle mind exercise daily. In doing so, I can progress through the levels of the subtle mind to reach unity consciousness. This practice will stabilize and tame my mind to master all levels. Additionally, I will practice the meeting Asclepius visualization throughout the week. This will tap into my wise inner healer to guide me through the preparation and integral process (Dacher, 2006).

V.                Commitment

To assess my progress in the next six months, I will continue to do personal assessments and track my progress in a journal. I have also found a nearby healer to assist me through my journey. Other strategies I can use to assist in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness is to continuously see this journey as my direction and manifest it as my intention. If I am open to hearing new information from my healer, I am able to absorb what is being taught. I can use the references listed in the reading to find classes, retreats, and schooling to further educate me throughout my process (Dacher, 2006).

References:

Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic

            Health Publications, Inc.