unit 10

1. Review your unit 3 personal assessment of your psychological, physical, and spiritual well-being. Reflect on these areas . How did you score yourself on a scale from 1 to 10 in unit 3? How do you score yourself now? Has the score changed? Why or why not?
1. I had an understanding of physical wellness and have been actively engage in fitness. I thought that was the end all be all for my happiness. As though that could compensate for lacking in other areas. I rated a 10 in that area of physical.
2. Psychological is an area I was also actively seeking. I have had an interest in expanding my mind for personal growth and development. I was curious in me and rated 7.
3. Spiritual has always confused me because I can't grasp the different concepts in mans translation. I used to resist the temptation to ask for help, I was given this life as an opportunity to create my own adventure. I rated a 6. Now I find it is okay to ask for help and to keep asking. 
2. Review the goals and activities you set for yourself in each area. Have you made progress toward the goals? Explain.
1. I have made progress because I understand being physically fit and not overdoing it are essential for health. There can be negatives to always working out. My psyche is improving because I am more comfortable in my views and beliefs. I use an analogy when learning something of "is that all there is?" to reflect how basic things can be and alleviate stress. I believe in a creator, whether they are a being similar to myself who did DNA experiments or whether they are some multidimensional god.   
3. Have you implemented the activities you chose for your well-being in each of the three areas? Explain.
1. I listen at work at decipher peoples conversations which usually include one if not more of the topics. I can follow or trace their being and health, but will not offer advice since I am not certified.
4. Summarize your personal experience throughout this course. Have you developed improved well-being? What has been rewarding? What has been difficult? How will this experience improve your ability to assist others?
1. My experience is that things will never be constant. It is important to continue, to alter, and to have variations. I have been feeling rewarded from continue my interests pursuits. The difficult part has been going through moments of being down. Even though you know it is not healthy, at times it's difficult to force on a happiness premature. But that's the cycle of up/down- it comes back in time. But if you believe- a lot is possible. Reminds me of a song "Angel" by a fave Johnette Napolitano/Concrete Blonde: what if I said I
   saw the future:
   & the future was the
   picture in your head?
   what if I said to you to
   paint another picture & you'd
   wake up in that future that you'd
   painted, & you did?

The Plan

            Professionals in the field of health and wellness have an important role to uphold in addition to providing care.  The health field is a reflection of acquired knowledge and applied science.  Because of this, it is crucial that the professional take on the reflection and partake in the discipline he or she is prescribing to others.

            My interest in health and wellness coincide with my daily activities and adventures.  When I am done with my studies I will continue on with the discipline to reinforce the knowledge and advise I shall give to customers.  I shall look and feel the part of a benevolent leader.

In creating my own awareness I understand my need to focus and concentrate more on nutrition and the psycho-spiritual aspects. Diet is an important part in the matrix of wellness and I am not one that fully engages healthy eating.  Along with diet, my faith and spiritual following has been more sporadic than regular.  My goal is to become more as one with the spirit and with nutrition.

Since I have chosen this course of study, I have been assessing my current progress. In the area of physical wellness I score myself 9 out of 10. There is always room for advancement, yet chasing perfection is unhealthy in itself. So I am at a point where I am content and above average for many my age.

In the area of psychological wellness I score myself an 8.  To achieve complete happiness is also a pipe dream, it will never happen.  Our existence has multiple emotional aspects and there can’t be happiness without sadness.  Having moments of non-happiness helps an individual discover when you achieve happiness.  I am emotionally content and am seeking improvement, yet the environment also can dictate that fate. 

Spiritual wellness is an area I score the lowest.  I rank my score at a 6 ½.  I get too confused with the different interpretations of religion and our existence.  Because of this it is difficult to identify what particular faith I should devote myself to.  As science continues on and discovers the effects of belief, it shows alternative possibilities as well.  I am on the cusp of forming a basic belief that doesn’t follow a particular structured religion, but more of an adaptive trait. 

Goals for development include all three areas of wellness.  In the physical area, I will work on flexibility and mobility to be able to do a high kick.  In emotional, I will meditate more often at night to wake up refreshed and confident.  Spiritually I will comprise the benefits of all good actions and follow suit.

Working out at the gym helps foster improvement physically.  There are two exercises I am beginning to take to.  The first is a machine that is similar to an elliptical but does sideways motion instead of forward motion.  I like this machine because it focuses on my butt and I am going to get a nice, round, tight butt.  Another exercise is the push press which incorporates multiple muscle groups for a well rounded physique.

Continuing my educational goal is also important in fostering emotional growth.  I will strive for the best possible GPA that I can achieve.  If I can stay on the Presidential list for the duration, that will also signify my accomplishment.  

Reading the bible will foster spiritual improvement.  I started last week and will need to continue to read for awareness.  I will also engage in prayer to increase my unconscious collective energies.

To monitor my progress and commitment I will check for certain criteria.  My butt should be firm and when I work out I should notice people gathering around to take glimpses.  I can also monitor my GPA through the website for maintenance.  And in prayer, I should start receiving benefits that can be in the form of employment and financial success.

Unit 8

The two practices that I find most beneficial are Loving-Kindness and the Subtle Mind. I have found that I will sometimes utilize these practices during my daily routines. As I continue to practice and better understand the nature of them I am able to draw upon them for mini episodes.
The other day I was sent a jury duty summons. If anyone is familiar with this process, then you know how it operates. For those who don't know, I am expected to appear for the opportunity of being selected for jury duty. There were many different people also sent a summons and the vibe was mostly negative. People were conversing among each other about their inconvenience or rustling around huffing and puffing. 

This was a perfect opportunity for me to close my eyes and practice breathing and visualization. I started with loving-kindness. I breathed in everyone's frustrations and exhaled love and compassion. I could feel the tingling in my body every time I breathed and imagined the positive energy flowing out. I helped relax my inner self and avoid engaging in negative thoughts.

I also utilized the subtle mind practice to visualize the thought process of those people who were frustrated, including myself initially. Why I/they would allow being "caught up" in the moment. I was not looking forward to appearing for jury duty, but I review the process of why. Initially jury duty has a stigma to it and once you see the form in the mail, you immediately cringe. You think of losses: time, money, work, assignments... The glass is automatically half empty. So reviewing the situation as a civic duty- a responsibility; I empty negative thoughts and create positive ones. I bring an understanding that it is simply part of being in a great nation. Since it is not intended to be a hardship, if it becomes one then we are supposed to inform the judge. I simply stated the facts and was discharged from the selection. No worries.

aesclepius

1. In meeting Aesclepius I had a difficult time visualizing mental pictures.  I'm not exactly sure how vivid the picture is supposed to be, but I can't picture anything exactly and for long periods of time. I tried but the picture changes to other pictures like a powerpoint slide show. I was able to apply the surrounding lights and channel the being into myself. This was interesting trying to mind melt with the individual, accept and feel their presence within me. I assume it is similar to an experience women have during sex? I never considered the emotional attachment and mental significance sex can have on women since they are nurtured on a different emotional level. Having accepted the individual and became the individual, I realized the potential and the acquired greatness from a life of continues pursuits. This is beneficial to my spiritual wellness for I can have a deeper more loving relationship with others and myself, having more considerations for all. It is also beneficial to my psychological wellness because I can sense the good within myself and the achieved discipline of the individual I melted with.
2. A professional need to have experience in whatever they are trying to sell another. I don't take financial advise from those who have declared bankruptcy, and those who have declared bankruptcy should not offer financial advise. I do not take fitness and dieting advise from the obese as well. Professionals have an obligation to develop whichever skills they offer to their clients. They must have a proven history of accomplishment prior to offering advise. Of course with time and biological deterioration it is difficult to maintain to stay on top. Younger more ambitious people will replace the practice of the old, but the wisdom will always (hopefully) remain- that is the course of life. I have started to implement spiritual growth in my life by starting to read the bible. It has some confusing stories and seems to be missing some literature, but as I progress I will be able to create my own interpretations. It should foster awareness.

unit 6

1. The exercise process for loving-kindness is where I try and calm my mind and rest my heart by not being so anxious in thoughts and beats per minute. As I take a few minutes to slow myself down then I can repeat the exercise sentences to myself. In the assessment process I am also calming my mind and heart rate to a sense of stillness or quietness. One in a relaxed state I now reflect on my life and my personal being. I am to realize where I have difficulties and acknowledge the fact that I need to better them. I also will then think on other aspects of life and determine where I am ready to enhancement. If I am experiencing satisfaction, why not expand on it and take it to a higher achievement. 
2. I have discovered that I have difficulties understanding the mentality of society. That when people are together in a group they behave differently. Rules and guidelines clash and opinions and beliefs get in the way. I have a difficult time fitting in and I tend to not engage in groups of people of more than 3 that I do not know. I also have found that my faith or beliefs are small and not as complicated as entire religions. I do not place much faith in one supreme being that has a master plan for every individual. We live and die- that is the plan, and everything in the middle is up to us. I have chosen these two issues to focus on and grow with. The exercises actually stimulate the mind, body, spirit in a way that is similar to those that strictly read the books of religion. I can also improve societal behaviors with study and observation to create awareness. There are so many observable patterns to life and healing that are out there. I just have to continually clear my mind and accept all the information with an open mind and heart. Meditation, fitness, body feel, and loving-kindness are excellent activities to improve my inner awareness.

Subtle Mind

  This latest exercise is an interesting one. I am trying to observe how I think and what possible thought patterns I may have. I am fortunate in the sense that I have been trying to mimic this technique with those of my own prior to this book. I have been curious as to how I perceive life and how I interpret stimuli. How I ranked things in life as of importance from childhood, adolescence, and now adulthood. I believe this is called reflection.
  With the subtle mind exercise, I am attempting to grasp my pattern of thought. As I begin and my mind is all clattered with chaos and misdirection, I go back to the focal point of breathing. My eyes are closed yet I am having different things going on. I recreate scenes from earlier in the days past experiences, I hear the voices and conversations without imagery as well, and I look at a screen of black and white fuzz (like an old tv program that just went off air) talking to myself in my mind about how I can't seem to concentrate.
  As I shift back to my focal point of breathing, I alter the breathing technique because abdominal breathing is more beneficial and comforting than trying to expand the chest. My thoughts start to lessen in chaos and at times I can go from being presently aware of my forced concentration to quick scenic imagery or an induced vision/dream. I can not keep this for too long and end up back in the present of knowing I am trying to force something upon myself. It takes a little while before I stop trying to force my self to image or think of something and just relax. As I relax, I just simply think of an instance that I recall feeling/acting/saying something from before and contemplate why I did such a reaction. Now I can analyze and contemplate my predisposed reactions and consider changes to such behavior that will encourage inner peace.
  This connection is important in the spiritual physical and mental aspect of wellness. It allows me to consider my usual behaviors and look at them from a different perspective. I can analyze and rationalize on them to help find healthier solutions or reactions. The goal is to build on health and being physically fit in not everything if your personality is unhealthy. Having a great mind is not enough if you lack physical health. Also if you do not have a belief or faith in a higher good, then you will feel incomplete. I have dated people from each category who had a single attribute or maybe even two and it never is enough to keep my attention or affection. If I desire more in a partner, I imagine my partner will desire the same in me.

getting started

1. Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not? 

As I started the exercise, it took a while for me to get comfortable. I fidgeted for a little while because it was difficult for me to relax thinking of the negatives with the positive emotions. I had to stretch my limbs some as they popped (like knuckles), but as I continued I was able to relax my body more. I tend to get tingly sensations from inbreath and outbreath. I was getting some tears built up around my eyes when thinking of the hurting/suffering things. I did not go into crying or sobbing, but had a little disturbance or stuttering in breathing. Eventually that stopped and I started to feel the stillness and peace around me. I started to feel a sensation around my heart- neither good nor bad, but different. I almost seemed as though it was growing in volume. I look forward to experiencing more. I'm not sure if I would recommend it yet, because if someone has not studying the integral concept, it might create emotions they are not used to.

1. What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health

 Mental workouts help exercise the brain for better cognitive abilities and mind-body connections. This type of workout benefits the inner awareness and has other benefits to stress response. It helps the body stay in better homeostasis.