Requirements of Becoming Talented Healers

Unit 9 Blog

1. Introduction:
   Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically?
Health and wellness professional’s need to develop psychologically, spiritual and physically in our personal lives in order to help patients/clients and other professionals transform in new visions, growth in consciousness, expand our capacity and to develop new skills and abilities (Dacher, 2006). To be successful in helping others and practice a more comprehensive and meaningful approach to health and healing, we must transform ourselves. “Practicing what we preach” in other words, however it goes much deeper than this saying in my opinion. You cannot “practice what you preach” if you yourself have not reach a deeper level of consciousness and or seek out our own personal healing abilities. Having a deep commitment to wanting to help others will be the driving force to be “closer to the soul of healing” (Dacher, 2006). To become “closer to the soul of healing” we must develop in transformational change of ourselves which will lead us into becoming talented healers (Dacher, 2006).
·         What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?
My personal integral map points to evolutionary in my own health at this time. Even though I have practiced over the past several weeks, this is not an overnight change that can take place within a mind constantly jumping from one subject to the next in a matter of seconds.  It does take practice and time to develop the five guiding principles: holistic, evolutionary, intentional, person-centered and dynamic to reach personal human flourishing (Dacher, 2006).
Developing more comprehensive knowledge of myself and my life through nature connections and awareness through focused actions, self-reflection and intentional choices will help me evolve to a higher level of consciousness. However the only way to reach a higher level of consciousness is through evolutionary growth which requires time and practice daily. 
2. Assessment:
   How have you assessed your health in each domain?
·         How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?
Yes I have assessed my health spiritually, physically and psychologically through self-reflection. I feel I have grown over the last few weeks as I find I am more focused each time I commit to one of Dacher’s mental exercise programs. I believe my last assessment I felt like I was at a level of 5-6 and now I believe I am at a 7-8 level. I am not saying there is not a lot more room for improvement, growth and transformation that needs to take place to reach a level far for the point I am at now. But I have all intentions on following these integral practices to reach person-centered and dynamic levels and beyond in my future.
3. Goal development:
   List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.
Physical goal I have is to start doing hatha yoga again which also focuses on breathing techniques. I enjoy yoga and would love to practice Tai Chi. However for now classes are not within my reach, but hopefully in the future I will have access to Tai Chi classes.
My psychological goal is to continue practicing the techniques learned within this class to further develop my mental capacities. I do believe through this development I will be able to share with others and help people find their own personal healers within.
My spiritual goal is to spend more time in the great outdoors connecting with nature and my spirituality. I love the outdoors; the wildlife, the trees and the sounds they make, the flowers, the sunrise and sunset, running water or the ocean side sounds as well and all things living in nature. I find the most peace in this environment and the best place to connect to my spirituality.
4. Practices for personal health:
   What strategies can you 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.
Physically –yoga and breathing techniques
Psychologically –sitting quietly and finding stillness
Spiritually –connecting to nature and meditation practice in loving-kindness
·         Explain how you will implement each example.
I will practice yoga in the morning hours (7:00 am) which starts with breathing exercise which requires at least ten to fifteen minutes. I will extend my breathing time to twenty to thirty minutes practice quieting the mind and stillness is required. The early morning hours are preferred before my mind has a chance to start racing.
I have a wonderful creek side location where a giant rock sits out over the water here on our farm in Tennessee where I can sit quietly and in stillness each day around three o’clock. The birds are singing the trees are whispering but that is all that you can hear other than the sound of the running water. This is an idea location to practice mental healing.
Spiritual during my outing to the creek I will be connecting to nature and meditating while sitting quietly. I will practice the loving-kindness by focusing on a special person who has touched my life.
5. Commitment:
   How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months?
Over the next six months I will keep a journal on each of the days I practice as well as the days I miss. I will assess how I feel on each of these days. I am sure due to the feeling of calmness on the days I do not practice will keep me going back for more.
·         What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness?
The strategies I will use to maintain my long-term practice is to remind myself I will not be able to help others if I am not developed physically, mentally or spiritually. Committing to thirty straight days without missing a day can make this practice a habit. I will commit myself to thirty days and journal each day listing the remarkable changes taking place daily plus focus in expand my time of practice.
Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.