Thinking of a person was not the hard part of this exercise. I immediately could think of a person dear to my heart and when the narrator left silence to think merely about the memory of the person I could take my mind back in time to my favorite memories of them, but as soon as the narrator asked me to join in communion and draw on a connection I felt like the tone of the exercise changed from simply focusing on a positive influence/mentor to a more spiritual or unworldly exercise, which I don't feel like I particularly connect with yet. I also have a hard time regrouping and focusing back into an exercise once I feel this awkward disconnect. I just feel lost and like I am missing a link to the spiritual aspects the exercises are expecting. I honestly feel like some of the phrases are just cheesy and not my favorite style. I try to complete these exercises with an open mind, but I don't think I am in the right frame of mind or leaving myself the room in my busy lifestyle to fully partake in everything the exercises have to offer. At one point in time I was taking a meditation course and utilized the skills daily. I was "forced" to take the time to meditate and was guided through it with an instructor I respected, in an environment where I felt safe, and a time during the day when I had no other distractions.
The quote, "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" very much pertains to the health and wellness professional. If a health and wellness professional wants to suggest a technique for a client, but has not attempted the technique themselves then the professional cannot expect the client to be as willing to try. The professional should understand exactly what the client will experience even if the technique was not particularly necessary or successful for the professional. If nothing else the health and wellness professional should be highly educated and knowledgeable about anything they suggest to others.
Hello, I enjoyed reading your blog. I agree a health and wellness can not force someone to participate in any techniques. I once had a job where my supervisor wanted me to make my client participate and threaten her to do so. I refused and recieved backlash from my supervisor but thankfully I found another job shortly afterwards. I heard that she was later fired for violating the patients rights. I was not surprised.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you said the first part of the exercise was easy but the second part was hard. I also had an easy time with the first part but my trouble came with the long gap of silence. I wish I would have thought of memories. I was thinking more of her physical appearance instead of the things that made her so important as a mentor to me. The communion I could also have done but the long pause I was already asleep by then. I could only imagine so long and then I was asleep. Communion to me is like talking to yourself but thinking of what the other person may tell you.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you that the health and wellness person should have done the experience. This also helps when people hit those moments of I don't think his is working, you can encourage and understand what they are going through. You can suggest other techniques too. This also gives you a reference to how open they really are.
Great blog. Thanks
Jodi
Great post! I too had a difficult time when she asked to practice communion with my love one. I am not a very religious person so I felt uncomfortable and lost focus. I immediately thought about being a kid and having to go up to receive communion from the priest and then my mind wondered until she spoke again. I still find it very difficult to just sit there and focus when thee is a gap of silence because I know I have so many other things to do during my day that 20 minutes for class is a bit long and I often feel the need to pause it get up walk around then sit down and get back into it.
ReplyDeleteI think that health is a serious matter and if one does not practice what they preach they will not be taken seriously and it will be much harder for them to keep business.
Hi Hannah, I think I am in agreement with you about this exercise. Although I felt myself definitely getting deep into the meditation, I felt that I was being asked to transform this person in my mind to the level of Jesus. I am not sure that anyone I know personally should be at the same level of Jesus. I also felt a little disconnected when I was told to imagine a white light emanating from this person.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you regarding the statement for health and wellness professionals. It's like telling someone to eat a bug. Although eating bugs is acceptable and practiced in some countries, it is not widely practiced here in the US, and many people would think we would be disgusting for even mentioning such a thing. This could give the client a negative perception of the health and wellness professional, leading to distrust and noncompliance.
Hello HPointon,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is very hard to focus or meditate in the exercises when your mind is already crowded with thoughts are other distractions. Wellness professionals should have knowledge or experience about something before recommending it to others.
Hannah, I love reading your blog posts because I can always relate to them. I too have a very hard time doing these exercises. I have way too much going on and far too little time to finish it. I like any exercise that does not have long pauses. Without the pauses I am able to focus on the voice and whatever it is asking me to do. When the pauses happen I immediately start thinking of what I need to do next. It will take time for me to be able to slow down, but until I am done with school I have a really hard time doing that.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you!
Amanda