Unit 7 Finding My Inner Healer

This is my weekly posting- for those who may have stumbled upon my blog many of my posts are assignments for an integral health class I am taking.


         This week we listened to an audio lead meditation. During this meditation we needed to choose someone to be a representative or a guide to finding our inner healer. If we couldn't think of someone we could make a person up (Which I kinda feel for those who had to do that. I would hope that by the time we reach adulthood we would have at least one person that we respect). This person became our focal point as we allowed ourselves to become this person and then separated as a healer. We then accepted our healing spirit back into ourselves. I chose to focus on my grandmother, who has been deceased now almost ten years. She was a giving woman, an obstetric nurse by trade and avid crafter, gardener by passion. She lived spontaneously and fully enjoyed everything she did. My grandmother and I have a relationship unlike any other relationship I have with anyone else in my family. As a matter of fact I am not sure they are aware of how close she and I had become after I had my children. I am also very close to my mother as we have a lot in common and have almost identical personalities. I also love, admire and respect her but in this particular instance my grandmother was the first person that came to mind. These practices have helped me to realize how disconnected I have become from the earth and myself. I catch myself now mundanely going through the day and stop myself. I am trying to see every moment for the wonderful opportunity that they are.

       We are also supposed to describe the saying "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself". I absolutely agree with this statement. Having been an a person who struggles with their weight I know I relate better with someone who has also had the same struggle. I can't imagine trying to teach someone how to eat healthier and live an active lifestyle if I am not doing those things. Lead by example- I believe that's a good motto for life.

Unit 6 Assessing My Life

    This week we were asked to look at the different areas of our life and make note of where we excel and where we need improvement. The Integral Assessment has six principals
1.The goal of integral health - lessen suffering and promote human flourishing. The two things we use to identify parts of our life that may need attention:
     -Which parts of our life are the highest sources of stress?
     -Where do have the the greatest opportunity for growth and development?
2.There is a difference between short term and long term relief. We need to understand the difference and know when to apply each.
3. There is a difference between immediate satisfaction and long term flourishing. You may find it necessary to avoid immediate gratification in order to meet our goal is long term sustained flourishing.
4. Psychospiritual development is an important part of integral health. We must assess where we are periodically to make sure we stay focused, our hearts our open, and we are truly working toward human flourishing.
5. Integral assessment requires listening to your internal voice and guidance.
6. Look at current situation and circumstances- evaluate for change. This is something that needs to revisited from time to time to make sure we are staying the coarse. (Dasher, 2006)
      For some people honest dialog whether it is with a person or with themselves is easy. I on the other hand find it a little difficult. After going through a loving-kindness session I felt heavy when normally I feel light. This revelation made me want abandon the assignment. However, I gave myself a moment and was able to come back with the understanding that I am a work in progress. I have this thing (call it a habit, a nervous tick, anal- whatever) I have to write things down. It helps me process and slow my mind down so that I think clearer. I have done it forever. My husband gives me notebooks because I burn through them like mad. The content is not specific- recipes, a cleaning schedule, poems, where I parked, a song on the radio, a book title, pretty much anything and everything goes in my notebook. I sat in my state of  introspection and learned that a huge source of stress for me is not having control.- Duh, that stresses most people out. I need to understand that with my children I can't always be there. With my husband I can't make him better but I can lessen his burden. I am working on asking for help, accepting help, saying no, letting go, and not feeling guilty for any of these actions.
 Dacher, E. S. (2006). Integral Health The Path to Human Flourishing, Laguna Beach, CA. Basic Health Publication, Inc

The Subtle Mind

I am going to open with - I really want this (Integral Health). I do, I believe in it. I believe this whole body-mind- spirit connection is important to overall well-being. However pursuing this is becoming difficult. As difficult as it is I am determined to find my way.

The Subtle Mind practice like the Loving-Kindness practice is long. I struggle with the time it takes only because I have a very active toddler running around. This week I thought I would see how getting up earlier and going to sleep later might help me find 15 to 20 minutes (solid minutes) of time to practice. The morning time was easier for me. Our family dogs loved that I was up earlier too. The Loving-kindness practice was easier for me in comparison because it allowed me to focus on my loved ones. I think all moms (actually most people) will agree with me that it is far easier to focus on others than it is yourself. I found it much easier than just focusing on my breath. Oddly enough once I made the time for the exercise and truly focused on it The biggest distraction for me was on the recording. Deep in the background sound, past the sound of waves was a metronome or a ticking clock. My mind wandered to where the sound was coming from. Did I have a clock in the room? No, why not? Maybe, I should get a clock? Wait focus on my breathing. Maybe, the recorded ticking was an accident? -Focus on breathing. How long has it been? I can't believe the baby is still sleeping.- in and out - slow and deep. At night when I practice I fall asleep. My computer eventually goes into sleep mode which is nice but I am not completing the session.

I am going to sit down a get a hard schedule for myself set up. I notice that sometimes first thing in the morning sitting down to do the practice be it loving-kindness or subtle mind I am so calm and relaxed that I am less motivated to work out. I need to keep my energy up so that I do not skip my physical exercise. I am working to be successful at this because the only way I will get my husband on board is for him to see that it is working for me. This journey is worth it! My health and the health of my family is worth it! Blessings

Loving-Kindness

This exercise is a great one for bringing things in perspective and getting a person to be less self-centered. This exercise makes you focus on your loved ones. The people who are truly important to you. I enjoyed this exercise while I struggled with the time aspect (as I usually do). I loved the sense of calm that came over me as I thought about my family. Each time I thought of a different person and each time I felt a different kind of calmness. It even prompted me to take on a no complaining challenge. This challenge is very simple- go 24 hours without complaining. Basically, it forces you to focus on the positive. I have struggled with this challenge making it most of a day. I feel we tend to focus on the negative and that can sometimes become a rut. I would recommend everyone try both of these practices. It is worth it to feel the positive effects in your life and to have the positive feelings that are sent out reflected back.  

"More Me"

"More Me!" is probably the first mini sentence my (as of today) 18 month old said and still says. She sweetly yells "More Me!" when she wants to be held, read to, or simply needs a little extra attention. She is the youngest of my brood and on the blog I refer to her as Miracle. At her very tender age she already knows that "me time" is important, a skill I am still working on. I learn new things from her and get to rediscover old things with her all the time. She keeps me young and is the inspiration for my journey to find long lasting good health (don't get me wrong, I love my other 3 kids and my husband).