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.