Boy, I can't believe that it's week 7 already! Time is just flying by. This week we were to do another stage of contemplative practice...this one was interesting.
Complete 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?
I was fascinated with this weeks exercise. I like the image of the "wise one" and how we were to allow this person's wisdom, calm and intelligence into ourselves. I felt very calm and relaxed during the exercise and felt very connected to my "wise one". I personally feel like these exercises or ones like it are very beneficial and have opened my mind and heart to a "better" way. I have a clear mind and a calmer demeanor. That's not to say I no longer am stressed, I just seem to be handling things better, I've been utilizing my "teflon mind" and don't allow things to make me angry. I was always interested in mind body practices but have not had a lot of success implementing them in the past. I will be continuing with the practices, finding a few moments through the day to calm my mind and heart. I also have been looking into other guided meditations like the ones we have been using as I have better luck with guidance.
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 or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?
The saying means that you cannot expect others to follow you into an endeavor unless you actually have experience in it. As health and wellness professionals it is our job to lead by example not by the old adage "do as I say not as I do". I personally don't believe that we can help others become healthy psychologically, spiritually or physically if we ourselves are not healthy in those areas because our clients couldn't take us seriously. We also would be unable to truly guide them because we would be lacking in our own experience. Book knowledge is fine but it's experience that creates true knowledge. My personal future is slated for a healthier diet, plenty of physical exercise as well as mental exercise. Meditation is becoming an integral part of my life and will surely allow me to continue to grow in this area.
Marlyn D
Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your blogs! Sure wish I could meet you, as I feel we have alot in common, alot of energy for a good cause. I too have been incorporating these contemplative practices in my daily life, and I can say that am able let go of my anger and frustrations alittle more easily each day. I have alot going on, as everyone else does, in my daily home and work drama. But slowly I am able to choose my battles in my mind, so to speak to let it all go, and not be weighed down with the pettiness of negative energy and thoughts...so I guess that is a positive good thing toward integral health and wellness. Still learning and growing.
Be happy and Well,
Judy Allen Powell
Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteI can not believe it is Unit 7 either, it goes by so fast. I have been slowly doing more meditation exercises and they seem to be helping in a way. I stated in my blog that I don't worry so much about the little stuff that much. I do at times, but I just remember it is much calmer for me not worry. I personally like to use that statement "do as I say not as I do", I use this with my children, but not at work.
Jennifer Johnson-Orchard
Hi!
DeleteI agree at how fast it is going the exercises the meditation has been working wonderful for me I posted my blog come and check it out. The only thing I am worry about is fellow students finding my blog. Please leave a comment.
thank you.
Purmilour blackdiamonnd
Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteLike those above me, it is hard to believe this term is nearing its end. I think it is amazing that these lessons have opened your heart and your mind and have allowed you to live in a better way. I am envious because I have not been able to really "get into" this class and have found myself struggling. I unfortunately do not find it interesting, but love to hear that some of my classmates are on their journey to integral health due to this class. Loved your post and keep at it.
Jamie Roberts
Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your blog this week. I have to say, though, is it not just as important to be able to relate to someone regarding our shortcomings and struglles, just as they may during their journey. None of us is perfect, and all of us have daily struggles, to say we cannot teach what we don't practice, is not realistic. I believe that if someone is overweight and trying to talk with another about weight loss, the understanding of failure and success is there for each of them. Most of us in this life are struggling and trying to claw our way into a peaceful and fullfilling life. Just a thought!
Sandy N.
Hello Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you are finding these exercises so beneficial. Isn't it amazing how taking some time out of the day can make us more relaxed! I also think it is great you felt so close to the person we had to visualize this week. I also felt that connection with the "wise one" we had to visualize. I think being able to feel that connection forces us to want to be like them. For example, I visualized my father and he is one of the best role models in my life. When I was visualizing him , I could not help but think of what I could do to be more like his him and what he stands for. Having these positive role models in our lives is so a fortunate thing!
Keep up the good work!
Joncie Winter
Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteI, too, can't believe we're in week 7! I applaud your enthusiasm and commitment to find time during the day to relax. I'm also one who needs guided meditation. Left to my own druthers, my mind would be wandering all over the place.
I also like what you said about stress. It's not like everything magically gets better; we still have to deal with life on life's terms.
Funny you should mention "book" smarts. I was one who was book smart--pretty smart and usually at the top of my class. However when it came to "street" smarts, I had none. The saying goes "experience is the best teacher." I had to experience a LOT of things; some good and some bad to make me the person who I am today. If I speak on something and don't have any experience in it, I preface it by saying "it's not my experience however..." Or sometimes I won't even speak on something because I haven't experienced it.
Thanks for sharing!
Christine W.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we truly learn from experience whether we experience a situation ourselves or we see/know someone else that has experienced it. Its kind of like...how can you preach what you haven't practiced?
I also felt calm and relaxed, but some of the exercises seem like it is gettng you to connect with other gods and spiritual beings. I know that forms of hoo doo/voo doo and white/black magic does the same from whaat I have heard. A little weird to me, but no complaints here!!
Marlyn-
ReplyDeleteI too have found that throughout this course and in doing these meditation exercises I am a lot less stressed. I seem to be more patient, I listen better, having a more positive outlook, and things that used to make me angry don't so much anymore. Its pretty great! This is a lot of positive change in the last 7 weeks...that not a lot of time. I am really looking forward to what I will be like in a years time from now. I hope that I can continually get better at practicing meditation and allowing it to transform my mind, body and spirit. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Haddie S.
Hi Marlyn,
ReplyDeleteI also had a wonderful experience this week with the meditative exercise. I enjoyed the way the narrator and the background noises guided me to a relax state and allowed me to shift my distractions away (when the waves crashed).
I became a wise healer by focusing on my experiences with my grandmother. Upon my recollection I became stronger and more confident. I gained a sense of peace and reminiscing our times together brought much comfort and delight. Loving- kindness was active.
I think visualization is a great tool that I can implement when working with clients. It really helps with the process and instills a sense of control to release stressors.
~ Ana H.