- Complete the "Meeting Asciepius" exercise on track #4 of the Dacher CD. Describe your meditative practice(s) 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?
As has happened in the past, I found it difficult to really get into this exercise and had to restart it when I knew I would have the time to devote to it. I choose my Grandmother to connect with for this exercise, she passed away several years ago, but she was one of the wisest and sweetest people I have ever known. I felt a strong connection to her during this exercise, a connection I have not felt sense she passed. Meditating has increased my spiritual wellness because I am more of aware of myself. By that I mean I am more conscious of my thoughts and my reaction to things and people around me. Meditating is also helping me to connect more with my prayer life which is developing my relationship with God. I am and have been feeling more hopeful and at peace than I have felt in a very long time. My relationship with my husband and children seem to be much lighter and more fun. I am finding that I have more patience to deal with my Mother who has Alzheimers and I am enjoying my time with her instead of focusing on her illness. I will continue to spend time in meditation daily and will try to add time for meditating not only in the morning before starting my day but at night before I lay down for the night.
- 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?
This saying really means that you can't sell something that you don't believe in yourself. So if you are trying to teach and guide someone to a healthier life and you are leading an unhealthy life; how can you possibly be effective in transmitting this message positively. As health care professionals we have to at least appear to be healthy, the old adage, do as I say not as I do doesn't work so well with grownups. We tend to be more visual and need to see the resuts and hear personal testimonies of transformation. As I have said before, you can implement the exercises we have done throughout this course into your life as part of your daily routine to began developing your psychological and spirtiual growth. It can also include yoga, tai chi and other exercises that will help you.
Great post! I agree with your interpretation of the quote. How can we affectively lead people to achieving integral health when we ourselves are not living the life. We would be doing people a huge disservice. It is, like you said, not healthy living to attempt to guide people according to a life you do not lead. That would mean that the person in being misled and provided almost false teachings.
ReplyDeleteThat is great that the exercises are already helping you! I have to say at first I did not think they were doing anything, but now, as I look back, I realize that they are.
ReplyDeleteWhat they are doing for me is making me more "aware" of moments. For example, when I am running, I realize how lucky I am to have the opportunity to run and then try to breathe an relax in to it. Also, in my relationships, I am trying to not get so frustrated easily, but it is still not easy. I am at least aware that I do get easily agitated.
Thanks for the nice post,
Karin
Hi Gigi,
ReplyDeleteI was also amazed by how much meditation has helped in my life, as well. I also noticed the same thing with my spirituality. It seems know that I have been meditating, my religion is meaning more to me. Instead of going through the motions, I am actually feeling it. I also have noticed my increased patience with my elderly friends and family. I often get phone calls from my elderly neighbor. Usually, it is when I am very busy. I use to think of it as an annoyance, but now I think of it as a welcomed opportunity to chat with her.
Gigi, I am happy that you are making that connection with God through your meditative practices. I think we are both doing something right! I've been happier and selfless much more often since I have started addressing my spiritual needs. I believe we have both found that spiritual wellness can put us in a better mood, make us feel less depressed and make us more attentive to other's needs. I think tonight I will use my grandmother as the focal point during my meditation. She has also passed away recently and was a very loving and kind person. Thank you for the idea.
ReplyDeleteGigi
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you are finding it easier to connect with your family. Family is everything, connecting to others helps us better understand ourselves. When my mother was ill I had such a hard time juggling family, work, her, me... but it was through my yoga practice that I was able to stay grounded and in the moment and enjoy what time I had with her and it helped me realize how important it was to connect with the other family that was healthy and strong. Too many times we let day to day things get in the way of making time for what is really important. I know that meditation of what ever sort is good for everyone...Not every practice will be for you but when you find the one that is it can change your life.
HI Gigi,
ReplyDeleteYou are learning and growing just like all of us, here in this time and space. We all see and learn things differently and at different times.Mostly when we are meant to. I think that because you chose to stop the exercise and restart it at a later time shows you are understanding how to listen to yourself more and more. What a positive energy that you got to reconnect with your sweet grand daughter, she is looking out for you, just like you would if she where physically still present, but you know she is not gone and she could never die because she lives on in you and everyone good, wise,and sweet all around you. I wise you the best in learning how to reconnect once again or build for the first time that relationship with your spiritual side and the creator. Thank you for your thoughts Gigi.
Rox