Today I tried the "Meeting Aesclepius" exercise. I was sure my mother would emerge as the wise one, but instead I began to visualize my grandmother. This did not surprise me as my grandmother has appeared to me many times in dreams during difficult times.
At the start of the exercise I first visualized my grandmother as I saw her in my dreams standing in a garden smiling at me. As the exercise went on, I began to try and communicate to her. Asking where she has gone and she would reply, “Nowhere, I am always with you.”
At the start of the exercise I first visualized my grandmother as I saw her in my dreams standing in a garden smiling at me. As the exercise went on, I began to try and communicate to her. Asking where she has gone and she would reply, “Nowhere, I am always with you.”
“One cannot lead another where one has not gone him or herself" (George, 2005, p.477). To me, this statement simply means that unless one has traveled a particular road themselves they cannot effectively guide another individual down it. Sure, it is possible to help the other individual navigate their way while walking by their side, but a true guide will walk ahead and will already knows where all the bumps, short cuts, and rest areas are.
In the case of the health & wellness professional, this saying applies to the experience of the provider. A health and wellness professional must become integrally educated through their own experience working with the integral model. Through experiencing integral medicine the provider is himself treated. The marriage of Western and integrative medicine, which combined treats the illness and the patient.
In the case of the health & wellness professional, this saying applies to the experience of the provider. A health and wellness professional must become integrally educated through their own experience working with the integral model. Through experiencing integral medicine the provider is himself treated. The marriage of Western and integrative medicine, which combined treats the illness and the patient.
I must first develop my own psychological, physical, and spiritual growth much in the same manner that a football coach must know how to play the game. While there are some things that can be taught through a manual there are other things that need to be taught through demonstration and a deeper, personal understanding of the concept. I can implement psychological and spiritual growth in my personal life through activities such as meditation, yoga, prayer, enjoying nature, and through contemplative practice.
George, L.E. (2005). Transformation of the healer: The application of Ken Wilber's integral model to family practice medicine. In M. Schlitz, T. Amorak, & M. Micozzi, Consciousness & healing: Integral approaches to mind-body medicine (pp. 465-477). St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone.
I find it really interesting that your grandmother came into your mind rather than who you thought the visualization would be. Do you think your spiritual self was speaking to you or your actual grandmother? Just the other day I was standing in my kitchen about to fill my bottle of water for the umpteenth time when I thought (speaking to God as per usual)- I really don't want anymore water. I wish there was something else... Well, my spiritual self (the holy spirit or w/e) told me, "What about the Crystal Light in the cabinet?" It literally was talking to me. Kind of crazy, I know! But anyway, I answered back, What Crystal Light? I've been out of that for weeks. But, I went and looked and wouldn't you know there were three packs! I honestly don't know how, but something TOLD me that they were there. Just goes to show how much we don't understand and how often we tune parts of ourselves out!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, you're right. We should know the path or we could lead others into danger with us! Great post, Sendhy!
Hi
ReplyDeleteThis exercise was so interesting. It's a funny thing to expect one outcome, but receive another. That was wonderful that your grandmother came to you. It was my mother that I saw, and I swear I could smell her face cream. :)
It is true that we cannot teach others what we have not learned ourselves.
Pam
Hello Sendhy,
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting how sometimes with these practices things happen the way we least expect. I didn't expect my grandfather from my childhood to come to me, but he did. I originally thought it might be my step-dad that passed away last year. I have not tried to actually communicate with anyone. Thats a great idea! Good job on your exercises. I agree with you that a health and wellness professional must have integral health of their own before they can help others develop. Have a geat week!