Unit 8

The two exercises I enjoyed the most would be practicing loving kindness and meditation. Practicing loving kindness is apart of my everyday life. What is so amazing about it is it not only makes others feel better it makes you feel better s well. I have learned through techniques like forgiveness is not for the other person as much as it is for you. There is a natural and physical healing that takes place when kind and loving thoughts overtake your mind. It is an inner peace that I cannot explain. Meditation causes fulfillment on another level. As I spend quite time with God meditating on His word I come closer with my maker, the one who loves me the most. It is through my connection with God that I am able to practice loving kindness and obtain peace of mind. My daily practice of these two exercises cause my mind to be fit, alert and sharp. Having control over my responses and actions.

Denise

Unit 7

1. The Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?
2. Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why ow can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?

When I think of a mentor or visualize a light I think of Christ. He is my direction, my example, and light. This is how I meditate. I think on God and his word. I understand more about life and my purpose when I meditate. It is through knowing my purpose that life makes sense to me. I will continue to meditate and I encourage other to do the same.

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone" I describe this saying by giving and example of it. If I encounter someone who is struggling with drugs I can give them great tips on getting free from drugs based off of book knowledge but not experience. If you have not experienced it then you really do not know how they feel and cannot relate to their struggle. If you have never been addicted to anything and now free from it how can you lead someone to freedom. I cannot lead you to freedom if I have never been there. As a professional I have an obligation to practice what I preach for example. There is a confidence that comes when you know from experience and not just book knowledge.

Denise 

Unit 6

1. Practice the universal Loving Kindness (meditation) exercise on p. 93.
2. Complete the Integral Assessment discussed in chapter 11 (p.115).
3. Describe the exercise and assessment process. What did you discover about yourself? What area have you chosen to be a focus of growth and development? Why? What are some specific exercises or activities that you can implement to foster greater wellness in this area?

The loving kindness exercise I already practice. I make it a point to pray for others, encourage, forgive, and help those whom I come in contact with. I do for people I see an do not see. The integral assessment is taking an inventory of the areas of your life and making a determination of what needs attention Dacher (2009). I would begin by looking at what makes me feel sad, angry, afraid, frustrated, worried, and feel inadequate. As I examine these areas I look at nutrition, exercise, my mind, and spiritual aspects of my life. In my life I have discovered that I need to focus on my mind. I know what to do. Focus is my issue. I will concentrate on activities such as visualization. I will write down or place pictures on the wall to keep the goal in focus. The more I see it, it will keep me focus on accomplishing goals.

Elliott Dacher, Integral Health The Path to Human Flourishing; (2009).

Denise

Unit 5

The subtle mind exercise while breathing exercises can be relaxing I did not find this exercise to be relaxing. I am just not into this type of meditation. The loving kindness exercise I practice everyday. Thinking good of others has proven to be good for my health.

I do not separate my spiritual health from my physical or mental health. I believe they are all connected.  can not separate them. When I am doing well spiritually it effects my physical and mental well being.


Denise