Hi All
This week's meditative exercise, "Meeting Aesclepius", was quite eye opening for me. In the exercise, we were told to envision someone in our life that we thought of as being a wise person. For me, there was only one person that came to mind, my uncle, who passed away about seven years ago. He was someone I truly admired...not only because of his wisdom, but also his selfless heart and his love for all individuals. He lived his life with only one purpose, to make sure the lives of others better. Whether it was his children, his extended family, his friends and even strangers...if he was able to make a difference, he did it with all his heart. So, this week's exercise really stirred something within me...I felt my uncle's presence, I felt his love and felt the connection with him. I actually cried during this exercise (first time for me) because what I felt was so strong and overwhelming (in a good way)...this week was a little rough for me (due to medical issues) and I think this exercise came at just the right time for me. I attained such a sense of calm and peace after this exercise...as if my uncle was letting me know "all will be well." And I truly believe it!! I feel that this exercise will be one that I will implement into my daily meditation practices along with subtle mind because they will allow me to grow spiritually as well as psychologically. I feel that to attain greater health and wellness these contemplative practices are necessary...and only through practice can I achieve my connection with my inner being and oneness with all.
The statement "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" is simple and common sense. How can you lead anyone towards integral health and wellness, if you yourself have not gone through the experience yourself? How can you understand what your patient needs or why the patient may be struggling? If you didn't go through it yourself, you will have no way of knowing how to guide and help your patient. If you don't lead by example, then you will hold no merit in the eyes of your patients. For instance, how motivated will you be if you get a personal trainer that is overweight? You are being told by the trainer how to workout and what your diet should be...but if you see that the trainer has a weight issue...will you want to follow his advice? Heck, it hasn't worked for him so how is this going to work for me?? Practice what you preach!! Just like the trainer, health and wellness professionals have an obligation to practice what they preach...otherwise they not only lose credibility, but don't have the understanding or knowledge to guide their patients.
Hi Manisha,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great experience for you. Your Uncle sounds like a wonderful role model. I am glad this exercise helped you during a time when you needed it. As you can see this mental exercise helped you during a health issue so this speaks directly to the second part of the question. This is a great way for you to talk to your client as it shows that you walk the walk and gives you a great way to let them hear about your experience. It gives you credibility as you speak about what these type of exercises can do for you.
It is wonderful that you had someone in your life that set such a great example.
Leslie
It is always better to lead by example only if there was more individuals willing to do this the world would be better off. I think that it is important to have role models someone we can judge by their actions or shall I say measure their actions. This is an important part of life even as we measure others we should also measure ourselves.
ReplyDeleteShivaughn Bobo
Manisha,
ReplyDeleteYou made a statement that as if your uncle was saying to you "all will be well" and the person I chose had spoken "you will do well" in a telephone conversation before I began my class work. It is amazing how the people we chose are so spiritual and full of wisdom. Their encouragement and support is so meaningful. The person that first came to mind was my mother who is deceased so my surrogate mother came up in my spirit. She is a wonderful support and has all the character and qualities of the meditation and practices them daily with everyone. I am truly grateful for her in my life. It is good that your uncle's spirit remains strong in your memory and that you can look back on positive times and situations.
Dru Van Wright
Manisha,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote such beautiful, heartfelt words about your uncle.
I am glad you chose this person it seems to be someone you needed to connect with. I loved this exercise it was so calming and reassuring to me. I will definitely use this again.As far as your statement about the saying I totally agree with you and the "practice what you preach" method. I too am put off by someone telling me do this or that when you obviously do not follow your own lead. If we want connection with our patients we need to be a role model for them.