Unit 8: Optimal Well-being

            After reviewing the exercises and practice sessions I have decided that the “Subtle Mind” exercise has been the most beneficial in helping me relax, clear my thoughts, and find inner peace while attempting to achieve a state of calm-abiding consciousness. The guided imagery and long pauses of silence where there are only peaceful sounds of waves breaking on the shore and sometimes the soothing effect of the Peruvian flute puts my mind into a trance like state. The practice helps to achieve mental fitness by extinguishing unwanted thoughts and has helped me to perceive how my mind works. From this lesson I have come to understand that the breath can help me reduce stress whenever the need arises during the day. The other exercise, which I feel is of importance to me in achieving mental fitness is “Meeting Aesclepius.” This exercise is a guided mental imagery, which helps me to visualize a better person that is within my inner being. After practicing it for about a week I have found my daily thoughts, at times focus on me, as a wise healer. When these thoughts come I’ll visualize that I am a good person capable of wise words, with an open heart, and compassion for others. Visualization with positive affirmations during the day has changed my demeanor. I’ve witnessed that my frustrations and anger are dealt with rational thought. It has been a shortcoming of mine to allow my emotions to dictate regretful actions like lashing out at someone you love when angered or frustrated. But the inner healer changes these shortcomings and helps me to foster emotional intelligence and mental fitness (Dacher, 2006).

Reference;

Dacher, E. (2006).  Integral health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA.            
     Basic Health Publications, Inc.  

Meeting Aesclepius & The Integral Healer

The first time I did the exercise “Meeting Aesclepius” I visualized Christ and it went fairly well. I was able to follow the exercise and create the images in my mind. I focused on the images and tried to achieve the state of “freedom” Dacher (2006) describes in the exercise. It didn’t happen. The words and passive sounds made me feel more at peace than free. On my second attempt, which was about an hour ago, I tried to visualize my father, who was a loved and respected man. I had a hard time trying to permanently fix the image of my father in the back of my mind it would come and go. But for a brief moment I had a clear image of his face. For that one brief moment, probably seconds, I felt a sense of goodness maybe freedom… I don’t know. After the image left I could not get him back; the exercise was almost over when I felt myself falling asleep. (Dacher, 2006).

         The exercise which has helped me the most to foster an increase in psychological and spiritual awareness is the “Subtle Mind Practice.” This exercise has gradually aided me to achieve a calm-abiding state. I have felt a sense of inner clam, it is hard to explain, but its like my mind is clear of everything; all that matters is being and the “breathe.” There are many forms of contemplative practice and I hope to learn different practices, which will suit my personal wellbeing. But one thing I am sure of that has worked for me is when I attend Mass. During the consecration of the Eucharist, the entire congregation kneels and prays. I don’t know if it is just my prayers, the prayers of the congregation or the prayers of the whole Church, but it leaves me feeling with a sense of hope and loving-kindness for the whole world. Every Sunday I attend Mass, and sometimes I go during the week. By carrying forth that feeling of loving-kindness into my everyday life I can foster an increase in psychological and spiritual wellness (Dacher, 2006).

         The saying: “One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” implies that one should practice what one preaches. An integral healer should himself evolve consciously so as to experience Ken Wilbur’s integral model. Experience is a good and wise teacher. A competent integral healer would appropriate a newfound awareness that every thing is part of a whole. Every thing is part of a big picture and the big picture is part of a bigger picture and this can extend into the cosmos… every thing that is, is a holon. In other words, professionals who practice integral health understand that prevention and treatment of disease involves all quadrants and all levels of the integral model. It would be good practice to treat clients as individuals, not just a biological body, but also a human being who deserves respectful and dignified rapport. The professional evolves psychologically and spiritually through his own inner growth, which enhances self-actualization. Psychological and spiritual growth may be implemented in daily practice by treating all individuals as if they were special. Promoting loving-kindness, compassion, and sincerity from within to others is human flourishing and the means to an end…personal growth (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, 2005).

Reference:

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna

         Beach, CA. Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., Micozzi. (2005). Consciousness & healing: integral          

            approaches to mind-body medicine. St. Louis, MO. Elsevier, Inc.

Universal Loving-Kindness & Assessment Process

The "Universal Loving Kindness" exercise was sort of like a short contemplative prayer. My mind was reactive at first, full of noise and "chatter," but with time the wishful mantra instilled a feeling of hope in my heart for humanity. After the exercise I felt concerned about worldly affairs such as goings-on in Egypt. I have yet to try it when I am feeling down or angry.

To discover myself I listened to the "Subtle Mind" exercise, this stilled my mind, then I proceeded to assess the four quadrants of human development. I would like to develop fully the emotional aspect of psychospiritual flourishing. Biologically, I'd like to show mindfulness in the area of nutrition. Interpersonally, I need to focus on evolving personal relationship with my wife. Lastly, in the worldly aspect of human flourishing, I'd like to direct all I have learned thus far and apply loving-kindness socially at work. I will concentrate most of my integral practice on building my relationship with my wife. If our hearts can meet then hope for a lasting union may be met. Also, this aspect of human flourishing can touch upon other aspects of my human development...if I sincerely devote loving-kindness at home, then it may foster an open heart toward others. In order to cultivate interpersonal relations I'll strive to focus upon "unconditional love." I need to know my partner and myself and move away from a dependent relationship. Fostering this will include contemplative practice, which focuses on communication, understanding, compassion, and an open heart. 

Subtle Mind

The "Subtle Mind" exercise was quite different from the "Loving-kindness" exercise. There was much more of a focus on breathing to achieve a state of relaxation in order to develop the psychospiritual conscious. Both guided mental imagery through listening and visualization, but the "Subtle Mind" exercise had less words...aurally, time was spent listening to the peaceful sounds of the waves breaking on the beach with occasional riffs from a flutist. I liked it more than the "Loving-kindness" exercise because I was able to achieve a calmer effect. I felt as if I was in a deep trance at one point, but lost that sensation towards the end of the session. Before the first session of "Subtle Mind" I was frustrated and irritable. This exercise benefited my mental and physical wellness because it helped me to calm down, adjust, and cope.