The Path To Human Flourishing

I. Introduction:

Integral healing starts with, that one moment in our minds that we realize we need to develop ourselves and our life. We have the ability to expand and extend our capacity and aspire ourselves to a higher vision of health, happiness, and wholeness by engaging in integral practices.

            For practitioners we must understand that as medicine grows, with new researches, new techniques, and emerging therapies that we must simultaneously evolve as well, some practitioners will be the edge of change and in other instances it is very important to grow with the change already in progress. (Dacher, 2006). With health and wellness being our main concern we must develop and continue our education through practicing and transforming within our personal lives, this requires that we step up to a new visions, grow consciousness, and expand our skills and abilities to help patients. (Dacher, 2006). After reaching your own level of consciousness that will lead you to your own soul of healing and flourish into a talented healer in the outer life as well as in the inner life. (Dacher, 2006). 

II. Assessment:

Currently in my life to evolve and ultimately choose to bring meaning and understanding to my existence and crown my life with everlasting jewels to flourish in happiness, health, and wholeness I must always expand my capacity in all three aspects of my psychological, spiritual, and physical well-being. In the development of integral health we would not be able to just grow in one aspect, we must evolve and assess each aspect to fulfill the every lasting change within!

            Assessment of my health in each domain starting with my physical well-being, at a nine because at this life stage being in my early thirty’s I have since then recognized the very importance of eating, sleeping, and exercising. I dedicate myself to a healthy athletic lifestyle.  

The great thing about physical well-being is once you get to a certain level it isn't hard to maintain, but it does take a lot of effort and long hours to incorporate the right amount of exercise and other physical activities as well as a proper meal plan in your everyday life to ensure this optimal health.  There are many times when I ask myself what is this all worth to me, the answer is it is priceless to want to live longer, feel more energized, and experience the strength and strategy of growth within every physical aspect of your body, mind, and spirit.

After assessing my psychological well-being I would have to score around a seven with changing to a  five at the times when I am sick to as when I am healthy, but with-in always trying to do my best  and portray the best of me to my daughter and my loved ones. When trying to create peace and understanding in the inner most of you I feel you have to be consciously aware of your surroundings and act and react with love and kindness towards all that includes yourself. For myself it takes me some time to put the pieces together.  With having lapse of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness at particular times, but these feelings do not last long and I always find the answer I have been looking for inward or the encouragements from professionals, family and like-minded friends who support me and vice-versa.

Spiritually haven’t quite hit this optimal aspect of my journey but I do understand that there is a great divine inside all of us and we are giving the free will to choose, and when my choices do not necessarily go in a natural flow I know I do not have to suffer and I can choose again. I have been practicing and learning every day the spirituality in me through writing, meditating, yoga, prayer, and other practicing such as concentrating on being in the present moment rather than using my energy to consume thoughts of guilt, worry, and hurt over the past or about my future that hasn’t even happened. Using the ability to expand through life experiences will help guide and give me strength to see the clarity of true love for self and for others, while realizing my ego is nothing so let it go and treasure my true identity.    

III. Goal Development

After taken into consideration my physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being one goal I have for myself in my physical state is incorporating more flexibility into my daily routines. Flexibility is a huge part of allowing your muscles to endure their furthest length and opening up more opportunity for better range of motion. I also intend to work closer on my stabilizing muscles in my lower back and core area by increasing my swimming, yoga, and stretching throughout the weeks.  

Spiritually I need to completely understand how strong I am inside and when external forces try to destroy or agitate my peace of mind focus mainly on continuing the stillness and solitude needed to find clarity and connection with my body, mind, and spirit. By using the tools giving to me through meditation and prayer will allow me to reflect.

The goal I would like to see for my psychological well-being the hardest, by using the witnessing mind inside to observe aspects of my surroundings because this will allow me to keep my thoughts in the present moment and in the long run understand that letting go of a self-centered attitude will bring rewards and help build character. The end result releases my fears that only cause depression, anxiety, and loneliness. This can be obtained by staying true to my life and to others with open arms for guidance from friends and mentors.

Some strategies to implement and foster growth in the physical domain are visualization this technique I use sometimes to connect my body and mind together and envisioning myself in overall good health. Yoga and Stretching create movement through controlling breathe and understanding the awareness of your body in line with the universe as well as the movement of your muscles and how to connect growth within. I also will continue my daily routine of exercising five days a week with one day of recreational activities and one day of rest.

IV. Practices For Personal Health

Some strategies to implement and foster growth in the physical domain are visualization this technique I use sometimes to connect my body and mind together and envisioning myself in overall good health. Yoga and Stretching create movement through controlling breathe and understanding the awareness of your body in line with the universe as well as the movement of your muscles and how to connect growth within. I also will continue my daily routine of exercising five days a week with one day of recreational activities and one day of rest.

To foster growth spiritually by meditation and prayer this has been a huge positive effect in my life because I am understanding that there is a higher power and force stronger than I. Such as the many angels that keep an eye on you letting you feel that you do not have to take all the stresses, suffering, or struggles of life alone.

Psychological talking to a therapist, reading books, and books on audio has help with reassuring me of who I really am and how using affirmations to guide me through the everyday challenges. All of these practices also made me understand the true meaning of forgiveness!

Implementing my ability and skills will help me organize a weekly planner to schedule workouts, school time, mommy time, my meal plan, and time for self. This way I will have no conflict in between and even if one thing doesn't go as planned at least I understand that I took the time to make an outline. Together all the integrated practices will open new areas of healing in my outer and inner worlds.

V.Commitment

Assessing progression within six months for me is too long term I would prefer to use a shorter term method of assessing progression through all three aspects in life, by taking inventory on a weekly basis. Asking myself personal question and recording them in a journal. One of my favorite questions I like to ask when approaching a new situation is, how is this going to feel?  This is a way I can prepare myself from having thoughts of fear, if I have no expectations, pure thoughts, and feeling of love the outcome cannot go wrong. On the other hand to keep moving forward in a healthy manner, I must make sure that I have enough compassion and love for myself to understand the very importance of continuing practicing the integral healing way, as well as know that there will be times that are harder to proceed forward but not to lose sight. I can monitor my moods at certain times of the day or even at certain times with in the week. This can help by knowing when you feel more stressed to be able to re-assess for the future.  I am completely committed to living this new way of life and have been for quite some time now and as the years pass by it becomes easier and easier to maintain.

In conclusion, being that I choose to live a life of health, happiness, and wholeness my progression towards the ultimate transformation through practicing the integral map has led me to a path of human flourishing. If we believe that positivity invites positive reactions and love kindness invites love to fill your heart then why would we choose anything but genuine happiness? One of my favorite quotes was from Mary Oliver, “Tell me what do you plan to do with your one wild and precious life”?   

Thank you very much I hope everyone enjoyed this class as much as I have!!!! Your Classmate Jewel