Personal Application of Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing

I.  It is very important for heath and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because as healers, integral health requires us to first bring this approach into our own lives.  This is about changing medicine as we know it and as the "holder of the tool kit," healers must transform themselves before they can change the medicine being practiced.  We are the keys to the growth and achievement of the integral healing process.  We would never truly be able to connect with a client or patient without knowing how to connect, but more importantly, how to recognize that deep, loving, caring connection.  We can never know what it really means to live in loving kindness if we don't learn and practice it ourselves.  We could never pass on the healing of wholeness if we were not wholly healed...integrally.
     The areas I need to develop so that I may achieve personal goals are interpersonal and worldly.  I have always thought of others before myself, but I know I need to take this further.   I need to shift my thinking to include "all of us" not just "we."  Adult relationships for me have been a challenge, partly because they force me to think and develop my inner and outer life.  I need to let these relationships bring me joy and rid myself of the ones that only bring suffering.  As I begin to develop my inner life, my outer life will also become healthier.  I do participate and contribute in life, but I want to make more of a difference.  I am very conscious about bringing compassion and love to my patients, but I want something more meaningful to the world.  I am developing this through my education and goal to work with underprivileged children.

II.    At this point in my life, I realize that how I create a life of happiness, wholeness and health will change from time to time.  I never thought of life as an ongoing process, but it makes sense.  When I originally assessed my suffering, it was due to stress caused by needing to find a new job (worldly).  I am still seeking a new job, but I've found a way to use that stress more positively.  I think I have moved this domain into a little higher position.  I've assessed my health by looking at each quadrant, adding more lines of development.  As I come to grips with one (or achieve it), I find another to replace it.  If one line is not so important at a certain time, I simply remove it and save it for when it becomes important again.  I am learning how to develop these areas and will chart my achievements (as they come).  My physical wellness has improved since I made the decision to join a gym.  It makes me feel better and improves my mood as well.  I am still working toward better nutrition and how to achieve that.  Spiritually, I am still in a very early stage of figuring this out.  While I grew up in an organized religion, I don't practice it on a regular basis, but have some interest in exploring a different aspect of my Jewish heritage, namely Kaballah.  So my spiritual wellness is still low on my totem pole score.  Psychologically, I am proud to say that I am making progress in this area as well.  I've found meditation has helped me in this area tremendously by giving me a more grounded and calmer outlook. 

III.   The first goal that I have for my self physically is to stick with my work out routine so that my goal of toning and increased endurance are achieved and maintained.  My spiritual goal is to learn more about Kaballah and sign up for a class (as a beginning) and see where that may lead me.  My psychological goal is a little more difficult to define.  I am learning a lot about myself through meditation and hope to seek additional contemplative practices.  I am learning what relationships are good for me and which ones are not...and how to let those go.

IV.    Two practices that I will achieve to maintain my physical health are walking as much as possible (parking further away, walking to nearby store) and to continue my workout regimen.  I must also remember that my mind has much to do with the health of my body.  Meditation will allow me to reduce stress and fatigue, allowing me to keep my inner body healthy.  My spiritual health must contain working on my consciousness,.  I will find  a practice that will allow me to control my mind and observe my thoughts and feelings.  Psychological practices cross into my meditation practices. 

V.  Assessing my progress will also take committment.  I will first make certain that I have integrated meditation and exercise into my daily life.  This will also include the conscious act of awareness and intention  I will have a "map" of my own to follow and can check my progress through this map.  I can use things like nature, art or volunteering to help my progress along.  As I add practices to my daily routine (or change them around).  While the map itself will not change, the ways I achieve may change.  I can take classes and find others who share my interest in order to maintain my long-term practices.  I can find a healer to help me stay on target as well.  I can attend retreats which will enforce my intentions.