Unit 7 - Meeting Aesclepius

This was an easier exercise for me. When I think of leaders or great men and women I think about their characteristics, what they have accomplished and more importantly the interaction with people.  One man that is near and dear to my heart was a man that came into my life about 15 year ago. He became my director and I was his support person. He told me that he was a Marine and asked me if I knew what that meant. He told me once a Marine always a Marine. I thought what that mean to me and  I also thought this might not be pretty.  So I look at his qualities and they were fair, honest, integrity, people, compassionate, results etc. He got results through people but it was the respect that he showed for all levels in addition to doing the right thing and always putting himself in their place.  I ended up supporting him and working with him for over 12 years.  I always looked at his tone, temperament and justification for doing the things he did and said. He totally taught me a lot. As I look back, he had inner peace with himself to project such a strong positive image of wisdom and teaching others. He was a very approachable man and all were very comfortable with him.

When it comes to the saying “one cannot lead when he or she has not gone him or herself” is something that is true to my heart as a health and wellness generalist.  I firmly believe that I must experience before I teach. I must also be knowledgeable to teach. I need to know my resources and also options for people. I also believe that one size does not fit all and we are people who are all at a different place in life. We all have different needs, wants and must haves in order to be happy and healthy. Our health is a sensitive topic and as health professionals we must also know where that fine line is so that we do not offend people.  It not only takes the resources to promote but it also takes tack and diplomacy to help people in their health and wellness needs.

Everyone is responsible for their own health and well being however, we must own it and define it!

Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness and Healing

Unit 6 Universal Loving Kindness / Integral Assessment


At first, I thought we had already practiced The Universal Loving Kindness exercise which I was wrong.  This was a different type of exercise with meaning and intention. It took me a few times before I could close my eyes as I kept forgetting the words. Once I had it memorized them and I kept saying it over and over again, I started to believe in what I was saying. It almost felt like a prayer in asking that all individuals from everywhere be helped with suffering, health, happiness and wholeness! It gave me a good feeling.

After reviewing the integral assessment the area in which I need to work on is psychospiritual flourishing; conative, cognitive and emotional areas.  Conative refers to the source and character of motivation, cognitive refers to changing reactive, conditioned and self-protection to reasoning cognition that seeks the larger truth. And the final is emotional, recognizing uncontrollable emotions such as anger, fear or other reactive emotions and for me it would be controlling them.

Some of the exercises that can help me with this is the Universal Loving Kindness Exercise, Yoga and meditation exercises.  Does anyone else have additional suggestions?

Unit 5 A Subtle Mind

This exercise seemed a little easier for me. I like the introduction that was taking me to the three levels of psycho spiritual flourishing: witnessing consciousness to calm-abiding to unity consciousness. I know that it will evolve over time. Breathing is the start to the mind / body connection. A peaceful breath equals a peaceful mind. Focusing on a focal point was easier for me and if I got distracted I looked at the distraction and returned to my breathing and focal point.

This so much reminded me of yoga and focusing on breathing.

I liked this exercise better as it was easier to understand and complete.

The Loving Mind was a good exercise but was difficult in visualizing. It seemed a lot harder and I found my self being too distracted.

Unit 4 - Loving Kindness

Wow - here is another exercise to help the innersole. There is something so calming listening to waves. It puts me in a place where I can truly relax and feel like I am on the beach at peace. This was another great exercise however these are hard for me as I tend to find myself wandering. I will continue to practice these as I do think they are beneficial in calming the mind as I know my mind goes 100 miles a minute in every direction so slowing it down is definately a good thing!

I would recommend all the relaxation exercises that we have done as it is good to stop and smell the roses more so than not. I do think that too many people like myself are so wound up with things to do that sometimes it is hard to stop and at times do nothing.  I usually do nothing when I sleep.

Everyone could benefit from a mental workout; something that will reduce stress, lift the mood, improve self-esteem and help with overall reacting to the stressors in life.

I have a treadmill and try to get on it 30 minutes prior to work and 30 minutes after I get home. Unfortunately I get on it in the morning at the crack of dawn at 4:45am.  Seriously ??  This is my uninterruped time for mental preparness which I take to think about my day. This is my time to get my blood flowing, this sets the tone for the day. I try to do this about 6 days a week, this also helps set the tone for my eatting pattern for the day. When I get home I try to get on it for another 30 minutes and this relieves the stress from the day. I try to get on it right when I get home so that no other interruptions will get in the way.

Mental health is so important as it is the engine that brings the caboose. If we do not have good mental health then the other components will fall apart. Think about it.