Unit 10

Though I enjoyed this course, the last ten weeks were a bit tough.  Being said, I don't think I could have made it with my mind intact as it is had it not been for what was taught.  I would say I have not seen much of an improvement with my physical except I was able to do away with the cane I was using in the beginning.  So, I would rate that as an 8.  My spiritual due to some recent events has peaked at a 10 which is amazing for me because I got pretty down for a while about a lot of different things.  Psychological, well for me this goes hand in hand with the spiritual, I have seen an improvement and I would like to rate it a 9. 


My goals are still intact to "to keep up with the integral forms of physical therapies and am hopeful to keep my pain in a manageable state.  Additionally, I intend to not only reestablish but to maintain a strong emotional connection with my wife and family post retirement and graduation.  Hopefully, by shedding the stress and pressure of my current occupation and enter into civilian life with a third degree."  I look forward to graduation after the next term. 


I have implemented many of the techniques such as meditation, music therapy and a handful of additional therapies off and on not as much as I wish I would have, but I learned long ago not to beat myself up, just keep moving forward and do the best I can.  If I stumble, just stand back up again.


For this class there have been some difficulties.  It wasn't the material that was difficult, it is what the course opened for me.  It seems I have some unresolved issues I learn of while in this course which require managing.  However, this course was awesome in gaining the tools to do just that.  I really don't think there will be much of an opportunity to utilize these tools in my professional life, but there is now doubt about how helpful they are in my personal life. 


I would once again like to thank everyone in this class for sharing the last ten weeks with me.  Its been an honor and a privilege.  Cheers!


Aaron

Unit 9

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop in all aspects including psychologically, spiritually and physically because they serve as the example for us to follow.  Question, if a health and wellness professional prescribes meditation, or a fitness regiment to help us achieve our goals; what would be the result for the individual seek help from the professional if the professional themselves were out of shape and did not subscribe to meditation in their own life?  It is important for those administering the advice and recommendations to practice and believe in what they preach.  I have several goals I am striving for; one is to incorporate loving kindness (Dacher, 2006) into my life.  As I have previously posted, I somehow have a dis-connect within myself where I have terrible difficulty in expressing compassion and empathy possibly due to a PTSD issue my doctor claims I suffer from.  Also, due to multiple injuries, I have suffered both recently and in the past, I am not physically the person I once was or want to be.  I very much desire strengthening my spiritual tier as I once was.

            Throughout this course I have assessed my health in all domains and I seem to come up short in all respects.  As I have stated previously, the last nine weeks have taken a toll on all aspects of my life due to illness, injury, work issues and loss resulting in family issues.  Because these have been identified, I now have a starting point to recovery and holistic wellness.  I set a goal for my physical tier to further recovery from injury and illness though both western physical therapy and through eastern methods such as acupuncture and aura therapy.  Spiritually, I lost perspective, and am seeking counseling through several methods from religion to my eastern medicine physician who promises a wonderful outcome.  Mentally, though meditation, prayer and social groups, I have been able to begin to pull myself out of hole I proverbially fell into.

            My number one strategy is to stick with what I have learned with this course.  Meditation I have learned has helped me significantly in all three tiers.  Utilizing breathing visualization techniques have helped me to look beyond the fog of physical pain and depression, and have opened my spirit to hope once again.  I try to find time to get away from the crowded areas demanding my attention and for at least a short period in the day to practice diaphragmatic breathing while performing visualization meditation (Seaward, 2009).  Also, prior to going to sleep, I have begun to perform progressive muscle relaxation techniques prescribed by my physical therapist, and I can tell the times I forget.  During this exercise I focus on slightly tensing and then relaxing particular muscle groups starting from my toes up to head.  This technique has performed wonders for both stress relief as well as muscle tension due to stress.  Spiritual prayer I employ throughout the day, when I first wake up, then while I am at work, and before I go to bed.  I have seen a dramatic increase in my mood and a decrease in my stress levels.   Also I have learned the value of social support (Sapolski, 2004).  For years, I felt I had to be that tough ole’ sarge who didn’t complain or seek help in venting frustration and pain, I just went on with my life.  As I was going though this course, the doors from within began to crack open and shine light on things I have been hiding from for years.  Through a trusted support network, I have been able to slowly vent off some of this pain and horrible memories.  Unfortunately due to circumstance, many others surfaced.

            Luckily now I have help and I am aware of my condition, , I can say I am not sure how I will assess my progress in the next six months as my life situation will be completely different from what it is now with living in a new region and hopefully with a new occupation.  I do know that throughout the next six months I will ensure my growth will be a continual process with the integral health infrastructure which hasbuilt ranging from the health and wellness counselor, medical practitioners, spiritual counselors and social support groups.  As for long term, keeping with and moving forward in a holistic approach is my goal, but I am incredibly intimidated by the process. 

Thank you for reading.

Aaron

References:

Seaward, B. L. (2009). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being. (6^th ed.). Sudbury, MA:  Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral Health: the path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

Sapolski, R. (2005).  Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers. (3^rd ed.) . New York, NY: St Martin’s Press.

 

Unit 6 Post

In the loving kindness exercise I found the meditation focused on an external view.  Similar to envisioning the state we are in as well as the state others are in and focusing your energy to help those around you as well as yourself.  The integral assessment focused on an internal evaluation of oneself finding the aspect of one’s life which requires immediate attention, then, maintenance of that area then finding the next which requires additional attention.  I learned in the exercises I do not focus enough attention spiritually on those around me and in myself.  Recently have I focused spiritual attention on those around me and myself.  Since doing so, I have noticed a positive difference in both others and my condition.  I have decided to focus more on loving kindness meditation utilizing psychospiritual energy to reinforce other aspects of my life.  I can’t say why I chose this other than it makes sense to me as this area of my life feels unbalanced.  Thank you for reading and I look forward to your posts. 

Aaron

Unit 5 Post

This week I listened to both audios (Loving Kindness and Subtle Mind).  The Subtle Mind audio seemingly put me in a trance to where I was aware of everything around me, but in a dream state which was wonderful every time until it ended and it seemed like I was being ripped out of a dream.  However, the Loving Kindness audio continues to perplex me.  I relax and let the audio be my guide, but I feel as though my emotions are behind a blast door which simply will not open.  Though I do have people in my life I love dearly, I simply cant seem to connect with what the audio is directing.  In the past couple of weeks I have suffered from massive physical ailments.  To tell the truth, just the ideas this course was proposing caused me to regress into a proverbial cave, afraid to what doors may open if I implemented the ideas proposed.  However, I have come to terms with my fears and my physical ailments are subsiding as tread closer and closer to fully acclimating myself to concepts of spiritual, mental and physical wellness.  Thank you for reading

                Aaron

Unit 4 Post

One of the most difficult issues with this exercise was finding a place where I would not be disturbed and could be at peace for 15 minutes.  After reading and listening to the recordings I attempted to implement what I learned.  I found this very difficult.  I have a difficult time trying to understand and express what it is that I feel.  I also found it very difficult to understand what others feel.  When I attempt to ask how I feel, I didn’t know, and could not focus.  I felt as though my mind was asking me why I wanted to know Then, when I attempted to feel what others felt, I fell short.  I could understand or comprehend what others feel or felt.  I became irritated, and frustrated.  Then I discovered what it was, negative energy, I am surrounded by those who a generating large volumes of negative energy.

A mental workout is similar to a physical workout, but one is working out the mind in the sense of expanding consciousness.  Research indicates according to Dacher, we can “evolve our psychospiritual life and access its capacities and resources” with daily practice.  One should practice daily for at least 5 minutes but optimally for 15 minutes to achieve progression. 

Aaron

Unit 3 Post

Now these are some deep questions of which the answers for me would be more or less on a sliding scale depending on the day and the weather it seems.  So, let me start off with this on how I rate my physical.  Today, it would be at an overall 6, I feel ok, but I am noticing some relapses for a couple of surgeries I underwent a couple of years back as pain and other symptoms are now beginning to recur.  Spiritual, I would currently say a solid 9 as I am steadying myself for retirement and have high hopes for a better future.  Psychological, I would say, 7; though I am extremely concerned with the physical issues resurfacing, I feel as though I will once again overcome them as I have previously and hopeful I don’t have to repeat the same recoveries as I did before.

For my goals, I intend to keep up with the integral forms of physical therapies and am hopeful to keep my pain in a manageable state.  Additionally, I intend to not only reestablish but to maintain a strong emotional connection with my wife and family post retirement and graduation.  Hopefully, by shedding the stress and pressure of my current occupation and enter into civilian life with a third degree, I feel comfortable gaining long term, agreeable employment and rebuild a social network both with family and friends the years of service have severed. 

So, after listening to the audio recording, I became very agitated.  I wanted to relax, but the more I tried, the more the rest of my life invaded like a massive sea swelling over me and keeping me from releasing and letting go.  If, I was able to actually connect with the recording fully, I feel as though it would have been beneficial, but in my current state which is extremely hectic as well as medication induced, I find it almost painful to relax with the exercise.

Thank you for reading my post.

Aaron

Unit 2 Relaxation Blog

Hello everyone, welcome to my blog.  I am not to confident about this method and media of posts, so I will apologize in advance for brevity and apprehension, so please bear with me.

I wont lie, when I listened to this MP3, within the first few moments I fell asleep and woke up several hours later with my laptop still open in my lap.  However, I felt a sense of complete rest when I awoke better than I have had in a while other than a sore neck. 

I look forward to future posts and hearing from any of you who choose to follow me.  Thank you for reading.

Aaron