Ministry in the Park!

As I was praying about the ministry, the Lord impressed that we should have a spaghetti dinner with varied salads and garlic breads at the park.  My neighbor and I will make out fliers, and she knows the county commissioner, who will copy the fliers and pass them out.  Churches and those in our apartment complex will be involved.  Children will help serve.  All who are interested will fix one ten foil pan of spaghetti and sauce, one ten foil pan of salad of choice, garlic bread will be provided some will bring water and lemons.  Bibles, pamphlets, small books about Christ, children's bible story books for all ages will be available, as well as toys.  People can choose clothes, shoes, blanket, etc. out of the trunks of cars for their needs.  Free blood pressures will be taken and a survey for those who are interested will be passed out to see what kind of support groups are needed.  The integral way to stop smoking will be promoted.  My friends and I plan on taking a free online training course to learn how to help in the support group way at:  www.iblp.org  at the Institute of Basic Life website for anger resolution.  The principles can be applied with other support areas.  This will take place the last Saturday of the month at 4:30.  We have not decided whether to start in March or April, due to weather. 

Unit 10 Review of Unit 3 Personal Assessment

In unit 3 I assessed my spiritual well-being as an eight, physical and psychological each as seven on a scale of one to ten.  Now, I score myself on the spiritual, physical and psychological level, all as nine.  The score has improved on each level, one for spiritual, and two for physical and psychological.

I have made great strides towards my goals and activities.  For example, for the last week I have had a significant amount of cardio activity on a daily basis, stretches in the form of Pilate's, and Yoga every morning except only one instead of the three in each area everyday.  The three yoga exercises vary each morning.  I have accomplished strength exercises with the resistance band two to three days, weekly.  Sleep and nutrition goals have been met daily of getting at least seven hours nightly with two before 12, also eating the right kinds of foods in balance and variety.  Spiritual goals of daily bible readings morning and evening, with much prayer between are met, as well.  These goals have been met and are further established through a daily schedule, which keeps my body rhythm in sync.

I have learned much in this course to develop and gain greater well-being.  I enjoyed the prayer studies and Dr. Ornish studies on life style changes for integral healing and health.  I also enjoyed the Purt studies on the neurotransmitters of proteins, which send signals to different body parts for an interesting communication process that lets the different body parts create connections between them.  I must be careful not to use the areas of this learning process that goes against my faith, for example hypnosis, because in my belief that is allowing someone to take over my mind or someone else's mind.  To me this is unethical.  I know many have no problems with it and I respect their choices!  This is the beauty of integral health we can each choose what best fits our system of beliefs with peace of mind!

I will help others by listening to their needs, their pains, their desires for betterment.  I will let them share with me and as needed share my experiences that might help them grow in each area of healing, so they can see how I have grown as a person. This would establish a rapport with them, so they learn to trust me as a clinician.  I can share different studies with them of how others have grown and measurements were taken to prove the outcomes.  A commitment from them towards a program of healing body, mind and spirit along the path of their choosing will be implemented into a plan of action that will help them towards their goals for a flourishing experience of a new and healthy life change!

Unit 9 - Holistic Integral Health Plan

Unit 9 Project – A Plan for Holistic/Integral Health – Healing for Mind, Body and Spirit

Teresa Cooper

Kaplan University

HW420-01

Professor Maule

January 31, 2012

A Plan for Holistic/Integral Health – Healing for Mind, Body and Spirit

I.                   Introduction - Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically?  Each of these areas is affected by the others.  Mental wellness promotes spiritual wellness and physical, too.  Physical illness affects the other areas, as well.  Spiritual health promotes physical and mental health.  If I am to have the trust and respect of my clients, I need to live the wholeness way and envelope health in all aspects of wellness – mind, body and spirit.  This will ensure my effectual abilities in helping my clients to achieve health goals in these areas, also.  What areas do I need to develop to achieve the goals I have for myself?  I believe we all have room to grow.  I am not where I could be a week, month or year from now but continue to grow during each of these time frames in all three areas.  I need to grow in every level, spiritually by a closer walk with God, physically by healthful practices in eating, exercising, water therapy inside and out, and the other aspects of the eight laws of health and mentally by meditation and visualization exercises.  The way to grow specifically is assessed below.

II.                Assessment – How have I assessed my health in each domain?  How do I score my wellness spiritually, physically and mentally?  Using a scale of 1 – 10 with one equaling the lowest and 10 the highest score available, I rate myself an eight spiritually, a seven physically and seven mentally.  This shows my growth pattern from years gone by, while leaving room for continued growth in each area.  Many of the practices to enhance the well-being in each of these areas, I have continued in, because of the great need to do so. 

III.             Goal Development – List at least one goal I have for myself in each area – Spiritually - I plan to study the bible every morning and evening, go to prayer meeting once a week on Tuesdays and help and encourage others, as needed daily.  Physically - I will take mountain hikes, walking uphill and down does wonders for the body, mind and soul!  Do more yoga and Pilates with stretch exercises some daily and strength exercises every other day, as I was doing before school, and swim periodically in summer.  I will walk 30 – 45 minutes daily six – seven days weekly, warm-up before and cool-down afterwards with yoga, Pilates, or strength exercises, every other  day yoga alternating with resistance band and Pilates exercises.  I am looking forward to getting back into a routine instead of the hit and miss exercising lifestyle I now practice.  Mentally – I will memorize scripture, use visualization, keep exercising my mind with Journey On and Subtle Mind techniques, continue to practice stress releasing activities as proactive behavior.  These activities I plan to practice on a daily basis.

IV.             Practices for Personal Health – What strategies can I implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; physical, psychological and spiritual?  Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain.  Explain how you will implement each example. Practices implemented for spiritual activity include:  pray with and for others, study the bible, share my faith, and learn lessons from nature and life experiences.  I pray for my mom on the phone over her medical condition!  I pray for others in my daily devotional prayer time as intercessory prayer for needs and spiritual enlightenment.  I compare scripture with scripture to see, and understand who God is.  As I understand deeper who the great I Am of the Word of God is, I can treat others the way He desires me to do so.  I daily ask Him into my heart before I get out of bed in the morning.  Trust in my divine Savior keeps my mind at peace, when trials plague me.  I pray for His intervention and wisdom, and He delivers every time!  These life experiences help me to trust more and more in a closer walk with Christ.  When I smile and help others with their needs, this is sharing my faith with

others.  One of my favorite lessons from nature is the creation of the new creature from caterpillar to butterfly through metamorphosis.  This illustrates so beautifully the new birth experience, when we accept Christ as our Savior!  Another illustration from the catepillar change to butterfly symbolizes a new start, in this case, from a student to a career move!  I am excited over the anticipation of beginning again!  I enjoy watching the butterfly give to the needs around it.  In comparison, the caterpillar eats to sustain itself for its metamorphic change, symbolic of student life and the life before new birth!  What a great illustration!

                 For physical health practices I will walk 30-40 minutes daily outside in the fresh air and sunshine.  I will use this time for prayer and reflection or family fun time with children or grandchildren.  Sometimes I will walk with friends, who would like to walk, too.  Walking up a mountain trail every other month during the warm weather with church family is a practice I plan on implementing for physical enhancement of all those in the church.  Yoga and Pilates exercises will be implemented during cool down phase of walking.  Yoga with stretch and meditation will be on opposite days of Pilates and resistance band exercises for full overall physical strength and health.  I meditate on Christ and His life during yoga meditation!  This enhances both spiritual and physical health. 

            Then, mental health is enhanced through memorizing scripture and wise sayings!  Other measures to enhance my mental health include prayer meditation as related above.  Listen to Journey On and practice Subtle Mind exercises to free the mind and create peace.  Visualize during stressful events to get my mind off the circumstances causing distress.  Also using proactive behaviors as, asking others to help, when I am too busy to accomplish everything and treat myself having dinner with a friend in celebration for a job well done.  I could get a haircut or buy a new outfit as treats, too.  Since I cannot have pets where I live, I enjoy the pets of my friends.  I pet and talk to them and let them out to relieve themselves.  This works for me!  Each of these practices enhance my mental cleansing towards witnessing – creating stillness of mind, calm-abiding – strength of mind where those things that once made us frustrated do not affect us anymore (Dacher, 2006, calls this a “Tephlon” mind, p. 73) and unity conscious – seeing life experiences as they actually happen with wisdom and insight of a free and clear mind that has been enhanced fully by the previous two mind clearing activities.

V.                Commitment -  How will I assess my progress or lack of progress in the next six months?  What strategies can I use to assist in maintaining my long-term practices for health and wellness?  When school is finished in two weeks, time will be freed to put these goals into practice!  I will find the time of day that best fits applying these practices, so that I can continue to make the goals reality.  This will ensure that I will make progress towards achieving integral health fulfilling joy, health and wholeness to the commitment of these practices mentioned above.  (A testimony of how I have started this practice begins with prayer.  I was talking to God as to a friend.  I told Him about my pains of arthritis in my back and shared that I would like to start stretch and strength exercises again.  He woke me up an hour and a half before my alarm went off.  When I could not go back to sleep, I got up, performed resistance band exercises for strength, three Pilates exercises and three yoga exercises with other stretches.  The next morning I did three different yoga exercises, the three Pilates and took a break from strength exercises.  These I will do every other day.  I was able to get some of the assignment finished this morning as well after getting ready for work.)  Strategies I can use to maintain these practices for the future is to not commit myself to overloading my schedule, remember, when I practiced them in the past and the fulfillment obtained then, include friends and family to practice with and keep the flame of excitement for health and wellness burning within and without!

Reference:

Dacher, Elliott, S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna

       Beach, CA. Basic Health, Publishers.

Unit 8 Two Practices/Exercises Beneficial to Incorporate in my Daily Routine

The two exercises/practices I chose to use in my routine are yoga meditations and visualization.  I like to incorporate prayerful meditations, while exercising to develop mind, body and spirit, simultaneously.  During yoga while in the baby pose - I curl up with knees tucked under the tummy, and arms tucked into the sides as the forehead rests on the carpet.  Meditation is initiated for the length of 15 - 20 minutes, while holding the pose breathing normally.  I meditate on the life of Christ.  I see in minds eye, how he gave his lunch to those in need, He turned away from those reviling Him, He obeyed His parents, He shared God's Word with others.  I meditate on His character, prayer life, how He prayed for the unity among believers within their diverse personalities.  Even while hanging on the cross bearing our sins, He prayed for the Father to "forgive them for they know not what they have done."  Of course, their are other exercises to meditate with as well.  I will incorporate some form of meditation yoga two to three times weekly for at least 15 - 20 minutes each time.

I pray for the "rhema" Word, His Word out loud, so that His promises become my own, and I can practice the truths presented.  I can forgive, because He forgave me.  I can help others in need as He did.  I experience the promises of the Word, when I speak them aloud.  This practice I like to perform while in the yoga stances utilizing meditation.  Then the Bible becomes a part of my experience.

With visualization I can use the Journey On CD or close my eyes an visualize a comforting scene.  One scene I like to visualize was an experience I encountered with butterflies.  I was walking with my mom and children, when a butterfly lighted on my shoulder.  Most know of my delight in butterflies!  The first time I experienced this my excitement caused the butterfly to fly away.  The next time the butterfly landed on my shoulder, I was able to contain myself as I talked to it and enjoyed its company immensely.  The last instance relieves the activity of my mind with peace and calmness creating wellness.  For strength of mind I will practice some form of visualization everyday; any time of day; morning, noon or night.

Other scenes I enjoy visualizing are the waterfall with the sights and sounds of rushing waters over rocks splashing into the pool below, and rainbows arching it's gorgeous colors across the sunlit sky against the dark clouds after the rain.  This is a promise that God will never send a flood over the entire earth again.  This ever reminds us that His promises are sure.  These are a few of my favorite things that help create integral health through a peaceful, quiet, healthy mind - mental fitness!

Unit 7 The Subtle Mind Exercise

This exercise started out great!  I envisioned the wisest person I know, Jesus Christ!  I concentrated on His life, how he gave his food to others who had less, He taught us to give our coat and shirt to those without.  He watched for opportunity to help others in need expecting nothing in return.  I remembered His wise sayings!  He said, "I Am the Truth the Life and the Way, no one comes to the Father, but by Me."  He admonished us to abide in Him and He would abide in us.  We can do ALL things through Him!  If I do not know what to write or how to start an assignment, I ask and He gives me the know how with all the details! 

The part of the Alesclepius exercise where it asked us to envision the wise person and see light to go to the throat, etc.  I felt uneasy about.  I only have to ask to be filled with the wisdom of the Lord as the need arises!  I have been infilled with His wisdom every time I have asked.  I do not believe the envisions of light provide the true wisdom.  I plan to continue to ask for my needs, believing I will receive!  This helps enlightening my mind, keep it clear and on what is important.  Free from mental selfishness that causes, so much mental deficient behaviors and psychological illness!

"One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself," (Dacher, 2006, p. 447).  If we do not embark on the journey of health, how can we lead others on this most important journey?  I have studied the eight laws of health in relation to God's Word.  As I apply them to my life to flourish in health, I can share them with others.  These practices keep me free from illness, happy and whole - my wellness witness for others to observe. 

One of the practices of the integral approach that I must steer clear of is hypnosis, because this goes against my Christian faith.  For two reasons I cannot lead another in this practice: 1.) It would be hypocritical of me to lead others, where my faith cannot lead me.  2.) I do not know how to practice hypnosis, so I could damage the other person and my credibility as a practitioner.

I believe, I have an obligation to develop spiritually, physically and psychologically.  The biblical eight laws of health promote each of these to the fullest extent!  When others see that we are flourishing in each of these areas, others will desire to have a similar experience.  There is nothing like example to promote the flourishing healthful lifestyle of integral health!  Spiritual, physical and mental development is what integral health is all about and sharing the experience with others, optimal health! 

I incorporate integral health through stress management, proper nutrition, and exercise, deep breathing exercises in the fresh air, bible study and prayer, nature walks, plenty of pure water, sleep/rest, sunlight, with balance and variety in all things, and stay away from harmful substances.  Applying the principle of loving-kindness, calmness and unity consciousness through the biblical principles of the eight laws of health gives me the full spectrum of health, we have been promoting as integral health. 

Unit 6 - Universal Loving-Kindness and Integral Assessment

In the practice of universal loving-kindness I found the rest for my body and mind and repeated the blessings upon all human kind as follows:  May all individuals gain freedom from suffering.  May all individuals find sustained health, happiness and wholeness.  May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.  May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness and wholeness.  Since, I do not believe in repeating more than three repetitions in keeping with my faith and avoiding hypnotic reactions.  I prayed to the Lord to help me in these endeavors according to His will.  More than three repetitions tend towards hypnotic behavior.  I must avoid this to keep myself faithful to my Savior!

For the integral assessment I closed my mind to quiet its activity and body movements.  The suffering and difficult occurrences are found in interpersonal behaviors.  I found myself becoming angry over something I perceived had happened that did not happen at all.  I prayed that this person would find compassion, because this trait was rarely seen in the past.  I also prayed that the problem would be solved without my intervention.  The experience became enlightened, when he called and told me where to find what I would have asked from him.  Both these prayers were answered before I prayed them!  My point is that I had no need to get angry, because I did not know the circumstances.  This instance created a learning experience for me that next time I should not get upset, but just pray without letting myself react.  I am thankful I did not react to the other person.  This was answer to prayer, also.

Another interpersonal problem has yet to be solved, although it may be solved through prayer.  I just do not know about it, yet.  Someone is mad at me for a mistake.  I had no control over when I could make it right.  I just kept my word and made it right, when I said I could.  The rest is in the Lord's hands.  I have not allowed myself to get upset over this, because I knew I did the best that I could in the situation.  We cannot control how others react, but I have seen powerful result of prayer over such situations.  We will see how the Lord has intervened tomorrow.  Prayer is the best activity to receive better health and wellness in this area!  Well, this prayer has been answered, too.  The person is not upset anymore!  I am thankful that this interpersonal happenstance has been solved!

Subtle Mind Exercise

Hi Everyone,

The clinging, grasping, attaching mind I call a whirl-wind mind, which fosters forgetfulness of unimportant issues until reaching full circle again.  This has caused problems, but helps me remember things I need to accomplish or remember!  This exercise has helped to free my mind of this cycle, momentarily creating a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy the stillness that results!

I enjoyed the subtle-mind exercise better than the loving-kindness exercise.  I would continue this exercise, but not do the loving-kindness once again, because of the uneasy feelings felt during its application.  Like I mentioned in the earlier post, I think that actions of loving kindness need to be shown daily.  Some may benefit from the loving-kindness exercise to learn how to do the exercises, but I hope that these are put into practice with those around them, who are in need!

My desk top shows ocean waves flowing quietly, subtly splashing upon the rocks with a quote from God's Word which says, "I can do all things through Christ's strength," (Phil. 4:13).  The sky shows a sunset reflection on the water.  As I listened to waves splashing so quietly upon the rocks with flute background, and concentrated on my breathing, I felt the comfort from the scenes and sounds before me!  My mind let go of the thoughts that whirled around in my mind!  These emptied out to enjoy the comfort of the still mind as the witnessing mind related the thoughts above.  Then, my mind turned to the calm-abiding mind without effort.  God's Word - "Be still and know that I Am God", (Psalm 46:10), came flowing into the the calm quietude of a focused mind.   Last, the mind of unity consciousness with its most aware state in stillness led to grasping God without letting go!  Aware of His abiding presence with me as I ask Him.  Because He abides with me, "I can DO ALL things" He desires for me, "through His STRENGTH", (see above)!  I know these things bring complete health, happiness, and wholeness!  To learn more go to:  tlc wellness living.

When our minds and bodies are well we can see better through spiritual eyes.  An example of illness affecting the mind and spiritual life comes from my mother, who developed an allergic reaction to something she ate.  Hives kept her up all night.  She had a hard time trying to tap into spiritual strength/help, because of focusing on how she felt.  Again, I was able to encourage her and pray with her to get her focus back on track! 

For myself, I pray while exercising which helps in all areas of mind, body, spirit wellness.  My client of most days boasts that I do not get sick!  This is a result of the wellness activities that I practice, along with trust in divine help, which is a part of the wellness practice each day!  For more information on my wellness practice visit:  tlchealthandfitness