The Subtle Mind, A Wise Healer...Aesclepius

Complete the Meeting Aesclepius mp3 (located in the Doc Sharing area). Describe your meditative practices for the week and discuss the experience. Explain how mindfulness or meditation has fostered an increase in your psychological or spiritual wellness. How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?

I really enjoyed this week’s meditative practice! I think I might be becoming more conscious about my inner self and how to eliminate my distractions, negative thoughts, and become for in tune with the meditation process.  I found the narrator’s voice to be soothing and appreciated her guidance through the process. I enjoyed the oceanic background sounds and the instrumental music. It brought a relaxing sense to me, as well, as a comforting feeling that led me to the choice of my wiser healer (my grandmother). She passed away at the early age of 42, but I have many memories that bring me joy and comfort.  I chose her because of the huge respect that I have for her. She was a single mother who raised six children. Witnessing my mother be a single mother and raising my brother and I on her own I can sympathize, understand, and appreciate her struggle.

I recall many memories of her and the times we spent together gazing at white butterflies that surrounded my garden in Lima, Peru. This past weekend I saw a white butterfly and remembered her and I smiled at the comfort that her memory brought to me.  During the meditative exercise I grew wiser as the images of my grandmother came into my mind. I tried to concentrate with intention to listen to her voice, but sadly could not grasp at her voice. The sadness followed by some distractions that tried to steer me in a different direction- a negative trail, but like the waves crashing in the background I learned to eliminate them and regain focus.

Mindfulness and meditation has fostered an increase in my psychological and spiritual wellness by teaching me how to release the stressors in my life and focus on the positive aspects that keep me focused and bring clarity to my mind. I can continue to apply these practices in my life to foster greater health and wellness by continuing to practice meditation, asana yoga, and breathing exercises.

Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" (p.477). How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?

“One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” refers to the fact that one cannot show or teach a person how to utilize or practice a specific method without actually trying, and mastering. One must become the student before having the proper equipment or tools to show or lead someone else to the path of healing. Healing must begin with one before practicing healing onto others. This applies to health and wellness professionals the same way an advertisement may be inconsistent with what they describe in the offer but in person gain something different or of less promised. It would be false advertising to instill false practice when one has not mastered. One would not be a “wise healer”.  Yes, as a professional one has an obligation to provide the best health for their client. False practice can lead to severe psychological effects and physical impeding in human flourishing.  I can implement psychological wellness and spiritual growth in my personal life by taking inventory of myself and focusing on positive aspects of life. My inner self can grow through the practice of yoga and meditative state.