“How Integral Health is Cultivated Spiritually, Psychologically, and Physically in my Life.”
Cynthia Sampson
Kaplan University
Creating Wellness-Psychological and Spiritual Aspects of Healing
HW 420-03AU

It is important for health and wellness practitioners to be matured physically, spiritually, and biologically. Presented to us is the saying that “one cannot lead another where one has not gone him or herself.” (George, L., 2005, pg. 477) I think it is very impactful if we go to the doctor and he tells us we are out of shape and need to start working out. Yet, when we look at the doctor they may be overweight themselves. I always found this to be ironic. My physician is 45 and had open heart surgery about a year ago. He has started eating better and working out and now is healthier than ever. I think this opened him up spiritually and psychologically. He now can be empathetic to his patients that are overweight and are at a high risk for having a heart attack. I remember him telling me that sometimes doctors are sometimes the worst patients. His experience also forced the other doctors in the office to go get themselves checked out. I know for myself I still struggle spiritually and psychologically. I know in order to help my patients fully I need to develop this more. If I do not possess these qualities it will be hard for me to fully help them. I may have the knowledge of how to help them, but I don’t possess the wisdom. This is what will separate me from being a good PA and a great one.
I have looked within myself to determine how I am presently physically, psychologically, and spiritually. I made a chart that emulates one that Dr. Dacher suggested called the Biograph/Bar graph. Here “we can assess our current level of integral development, set goals for the future, or add further lines and levels in accord with our needs and goals.” (Dacher, 2006, pg. 112)

The graph that I provided shows the current spiritual, physiological, and psychological stage that I feel that I am in right now based on percentages. I compared each stage to that of my fitness level, nutrition level, and self-regulation. I found that my fitness and nutrition is pretty high and acceptable to me. Spiritually and psychologically on every aspect is lower than what I would like for it to be. These are the areas that I am going to improve upon to not only help myself but others as well. This will make me a better individual and also my patients as well.
There are several goals that I have for myself to improve physically, spiritually, and psychologically. The first goal is to improve physically. I find myself not wanting to go to the gym all the time recently. Working out is my passion, but I have found it difficult to get myself motivated spiritually and psychologically. I know that I always feel better when I work out. I can remind myself of that when I do not feel like exercising that day. I can also pray to God to give me the strength to go to the gym as well. I want to start up my own program to do for myself everyday that I follow religiously. I want to wake up, eat, do yoga to get my day started, throughout the day do meditation/deep breathing exercises, work out at the gym or walking, and pray or meditate at bedtime. I think this will cover all aspects of my life. Psychologically I have been working for a few weeks with cognitive behavior therapy. I replace any negative thoughts with positive ones. It is very similar to loving-kindness. I want to find the good in all things and people. Spiritually, I want to find the love that I have for others and turn it inward to myself. Growing up in a house where it is selfish to receive rather than give it is hard for me to accept love from others and myself. I have been giving my family more love and compliments and trying to do them for myself. Every day, instead of pointing out the negatives I see about myself, I say something that I like about myself. I have also incorporated the “Serenity Prayer” to really help me stay focused.

The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful worldas it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things rightif I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with HimForever in the next.Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

I was even shocked when I did a search of how many people get this tattooed on their bodies to help them remember the struggles they have overcome. Here is one of the tattoos that I saw. That is a pretty big commitment to make and I hope it helps them. I know this prayer is used a lot in the 12 step programs. I was even shocked when I did a search of how many people get this tattooed on their bodies. There can only be benefits that can be gained from attaining integral health. There have been numerous studies done to support that reducing stress benefits people spiritually, psychologically, and physically. One of the studies was one done by Dr. Ornish where he was able to put people in a stress reduction program and reverse heart disease. He based his program on the beliefs and practices of yogis, priests, and nuns. What he found was, “their techniques are tools for transformation and transcendence that can help us quiet the mind and body, and experience the inner sense of joy and well-being.” (Ornish, D., 2005, pg. 308). Here is a picture I found of a guy that got the serenity prayer tattooed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakelandlocal/3734907470/

I have already listed some of the tactics that I have to improve myself psychologically, spiritually, and physically. I would like to take this time to do a more formal list of them. Psychologically I am going to use positive self talk along with loving-kindness, and subtle mind practices. Physiologically I am going to continue to work out with weights, cardiovascular exercises, yoga (which combines mind, body, and spirit), and concentrate on me being healthy and not comparing myself to others. Spiritually, I would like to pray more which I will do with personal prayer and the “Serenity Prayer”. I will also look at the beauty in the things in the world. I believe in my blog, Erika pointed out to me that I can find spirituality in looking around at things in nature when I am going on a walk. I really appreciate the insight that she gave to me. I am sure there are other practices that I will find along the way in my journey. I will keep an open mind to try new things.

In conclusion, there are things that I will do to help me maintain the progress that I have made. It is just that, maintenance. I will assess myself with the Dacher method that I used before or I really liked the dynamic graph he used for overall integral development. I will be able to see changes that are occurring in my life this way and make changes accordingly. I will also be able to see the progress that I have made to keep me inspired. I also will use the people around me to evaluate me as well. I know my husband and kids have noticed a difference in my behavior and “mood”. I seem to get less irritated when I practice and therefore, everyone else is happy. They feed off of my emotions. On a personal note, I have really enjoyed the class. It has been hard at times, but overall very beneficial. Thank you for your guidance.


References
Dasher, E., (2008). Integral Health:The Path to Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach,Ca: Basic
Health Publications.
Ornish, D., George, L., Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., Micozzi, M., Dossey, L., (2005). Consciousness
and Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Inc.