Unit 9 Final Project

I. Introduction

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually, and physically because the healer is the key to the integral process. The healer is our guide and our teacher because the healer should already have completed his or her journey on the path to human flourishing. A healer cannot expect to be respected and taken seriously by his students or patients if the healer has not traveled the path. Experience is a good teacher and a student or patient should expect to receive truthful, sound advice or direction from a healer before undertaking his journey.

Since I am relatively new to the integral health process I need to develop physically, spiritually, and psychologically. Physically I must begin exercising more in order to get myself back to my pre-baby weight. I must also understand that the mind is connected to the body and vice versa. Stress management and blood pressure are my two main concerns at the moment. Once I have these under control the rest should fall into place. Spiritually I must enhance where I am currently at. I have to keep reminding myself that it is okay to be different and to believe as I do. I must continue to learn and to gather wisdom that will guide me on my path to human flourishing. I must be true to who I am and learn to accept what I have been taught for years – we are of the earth, therefore we will return to the earth. Death is not an end, it is a new beginning. Psychologically I have to train my mind and become mentally fit. I must release all of the negativity from my mind and replace it with loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding.

II. Assessment

To assess my health in each domain I used The Six Principles of Integral Assessment found in Chapter 11. In order to develop a personal program I know that I need to “take a careful look at our current circumstance, identify the aspects of my life that require attention, determine the specific changes I wish to address, and establish a program of integral practice that will promote these changes.” (Dacher, 2006, p105) Basically, I need to take a good long look at where I am at and decide where I want to go then figure out how to get there. I will use the Six Principles of Integral Assessment as a guideline to help me reach my goals.

Psychologically I am at the baseline or sensorimotor. I admit that I have a very defensive nature. I have been this way all of my life and it stems from different things that happened to me as a child. So many times I wish I wasn’t as defensive and I have tried being less reactive but it is not easy trying to change a habit that is over 30 years old overnight or even in a month or two.

Spiritually I am growing. I have a more open mind and outlook on spirituality. I have my own beliefs and they differ from those in my family but my mother respects what I believe. I try to teach my children that I am raising them Catholic to give them structure and discipline but when they get older they can decide who or what to believe in. I have moved past putting myself first. In fact, I never really put myself first. I was raised to be very giving to others. My children come first. I even put my baby’s father first in some things.

Physically I am a work in progress. I have drastically changed my eating habits. I know that I have the will power to change myself for the better. I am trying to find the time and the balance that I need to make physical activity or exercise a regular part of my routine. I have set goals for myself and I will reach them. Determination is one my side.

III. Goal Development

In physical development my goal is to get my weight back down to where I feel comfortable in my own skin. I was physically active during my last pregnancy but not enough that I stayed fit. I gained and lost weight throughout my pregnancy but now I have to lose the weight and keep it off.

In psychological development (mental health) my goal is to lower my stress and take back control of my life. I have allowed others to sway me, dictate to me, or guilt me into doing what they want for too long. I decided to go back to school to make something out of my life and I have to do it on my terms.

In spiritual development my goal is to keep learning, absorbing and accepting different religions and different religious practices. I don’t have to dedicate myself to one particular religious practice. I can incorporate various aspects of each religion that I feel comfortable with and follow my own beliefs.

IV. Practices for personal health

In the physical domain I can implement walking or working out on my elliptical machine. While walking or exercising on my elliptical machine I can use mind/body practices to enhance the workout. I can visualize an increase in my strength, flexibility, and endurance. Using the mind/body connection will be an added benefit to my workout. It will keep me focused on the ‘now’ and not allow my mind to wander. (Dacher, 2006, p82) I would also like to increase my knowledge of yoga and move beyond the basics. Tai chi holds special interest to me and I would like to learn more about that as well. I want to find something that I enjoy and that I am good at so that it will not seem so much like working out and more like taking a break to do something I enjoy.

In the psychological domain I can work on developing my mental fitness. I can work toward being able to mentally control my emotions, my hormonal system, my immune system, and influence my physiology. I can do this through meditation and contemplative practice. Focusing my mind on what is important and letting go of what is not will be a challenge but this is one challenge worth accepting. If it will give me peace of mind I am ready to dedicate myself to the task.

In the spiritual domain I can embrace the mind/body connection and reject the biological view of the body. I can also visit a mind/body center and take a few classes to help guide my journey. I want the experience of being taught by a true Buddhist who has reached the level of human flourishing. A spiritual retreat would allow me to rid myself of the demons that have been hanging on to me for too long. I have been considering attending one of the Shambhala Center’s weekend retreats this summer after I graduate.

V. Commitment

I will assess my progress using my day planner and my journal. I like to write and I enjoy writing after I learn something new and exciting. There is so much that I wish to learn and I don’t feel like I have the time to explore it all. I have also been trying to persuade my mother to help me. I know that she will keep me on track. Once I have a plan in place for myself it won’t be so difficult to practice regularly. I think my big goal right now is going to a retreat center and get away from this negative environment to clear my head and dedicate myself to being a better me. I feel like I am drowning and the only way to save myself is by submerging me in guided meditative practices where I don’t have to think or feel, I just have to be.

To assist myself in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness I can write up a formal plan of action and post it on my wall, by the refrigerator, beside the computer, and on the bathroom mirror. This will serve as a constant reminder of my commitment to becoming a better me. It will be an uphill climb in my current living situation but if I can employ the help of my oldest daughter and my mother I will be okay. I can set up a schedule of what activities I will do on which day and post that around the house as well. My mom said she would like to walk and try yoga. My daughter wants to try meditation so I know I can get some quiet time in if she is with me. To ensure that I am incorporating all of the right tools and practices I must also remember the eight principles of integral practice that were discussed in chapter 12. These guiding principles will help me to make a plan that is right for me. I must follow the integral map in order to become the best healer I can be so that I may help others who want to live better lives.