A holistic approach to well-being
By Seth Anne Snider-Copley MA, RKT
A human being is part of a whole, the ‘universe.’ Our tasks must be to free ourselves from the delusion of separateness to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature.’
- Albert Einstein
M.I.N.D.ful Living is a theoretical and experiential method seeking to free us from our identification with our self image toward our true self or spirit and harvest optimal well-being. The body-mind connection is not something to attain or seek out. Rather it is our birthright. We [humans] are inherently whole. There is a misunderstanding that one needs to partake in a certain modality or practice to “connect” mind and body. Although certain modalities and practices do help fine tune our skills at increasing our awareness of our inherent wholeness, they certainly are not the missing link. The missing link is our mindfulness- conscious living.
This article is about living more authentically and more mindful. In order to do so we need to feel our connection with mind, body and spirit and begin living holistically rather than separated. Our separateness (as it is felt somatically) is a lack of awareness about all of our bodies. These bodies represent our mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, transpersonal, and energetic bodies. When one of our bodies is neglected it affects the whole. This lack of awareness and nurturing of the various ‘bodies’ is what makes us feel separated and disconnected.
It is a common place in modern day that we live primarily in our mental body (our heads). We are so caught up in the discursive monologue that we begin to neglect our other intellects. In fact we have become such a ‘heady’ society that it has caused a burdensome society with its “lifestyle diseases” (Bloom, Cohen, Vickerie, &Wondimu, 2003: USDHHS, 2000, 2003).
It is estimated that approximately 60% of deaths worldwide are responsible for almost half of the global burden of illnesses (World Health Organization [WHO], 2004). Of these lifestyle diseases, the WHO declares that obesity and mental conditions (depression and anxiety) are the most burdensome.
The aforementioned statistics is only one of many motivators for organizing the M.I.N.D. principles seeking total well-being. The principles are a synthesis of transpersonal and somatic psychological theories as well as personal experience. It is intended to serve as a guide for increasing “self-knowing”. These principles are only tools; it is up to the individual to plot his or her own map for the journey of well-being.
The M.I.N.D. principles are a template for living more authentically. Each of the dimensions of our being, the body, the mind and the spirit each contribute to the whole as they interact and integrate with all the other aspects of our lives (occupational, social, financial, intimate, etc.). The M.I.N.D. template recognizes that we are body, mind and spirit, and when we speak to one, we speak to the other. The premises of M.I.N.D.ful then, are about placing attention on how to foster and reconstruct awareness which will begin to harmonize the three parts. Restructuring awareness is about learning, developing, and adapting more authentically to each situation within a dynamic environment.
M.I.N.D ful Principles
M- Meaning and Purpose: It is our beliefs and values that are the impetus for seeking meaning and purpose (Maslow, 1968). It is the single most important thing to have; it motivates and inspires us to do everything else. It gives us strength and determination when life is not so easy.
I - Inquiry and Intention: Inquiry is a contemplative activity- of expanding one’s consciousness or awareness of one’s environment and activity. Asking questions the “whys” about our selves and our actions. Not to judge but to keep asking so that we find our authenticity. Not an external answer but a visceral understanding. This can be done by mediation (any form), journaling, drawing, etc. Inquiry helps further purpose and meaning to action. Inquiry allows us to invest in more psychic energy to the experience or interaction instead of worrying about the self, produces a connection (wholeness) rather than isolation (dis-ease).
Intention is coupled with Inquiry. Having an intension on your day, your task or goal complements and supports your inquiry. In fact they complement and support each other.
Intension gives us the impetus for action. Action helps “create inner order” (Csikszentmihalyi, 1990). Action plays a role in making decisions to carry out an action plan. It also reflects and impacts not only the self, but nature and others therefore the process of decision making serves as the framework for the whole (harmony and whole)
N – Neurophysiology: “The molecule of emotion” (Candace Pert). Basically there is a biochemical link related to body –mind. It suggests that the way we are wired up, we feel before we think, and we react emotionally before we are ever conscious of feeling emotions. It also shows that emotions in some senses "circulate" all through the body, influencing and being influenced by our immune and digestive systems, our endocrine systems, and quite likely our respiratory and reproductive systems.
Therefore it is fundamental to connect with our emotions on all bodily levels. Emotions are stored at a cellular level and can help with Meaning / Purpose and Inquiry /Intention.
D – Discipline: Stay the course. “Start where you are” (Pema Chodron). Practice, practice, practice with self and others.
If wholeness or well-being is to be realized today, this dualistic mentality cannot continue. The current holistic paradigm honors the multi-dimensions of body, mind, and spirit and their interconnectedness, understood as both wholeness and the whole person being well. The holistic perspective respects the individual’s inner, self –correcting forces that are seeking balance and harmony” (Menz, 2003, p.116). It views health and wellness as a birthright, man’s natural states. When illness or dis-ease sets in, humans have a natural tendency toward harmonization of the three dimensions toward wholeness.
The mind, the ego, the heart, the body, and the soul can each lead us. But if people are only listening to one part of being, then they are not taking advantage of all resources for being clear in what they are doing or thinking about. Listening to one’s entire being involves cultivating sensitivity to each dimension (Atchley, 2004). Practice M.I.N.D ful living and witness the shift.
BodyCentric uses the MINDful model in three modalities:
1. Pilates ( Mat and Reformer)
2. Aquatic environment (pool)
3. Swiss ball / natural movement
Call BodyCentric in the Southport Mind and Body Building for your free consultation and to learn how you can enhance the connection between brain and body. 203.727.7359 or email sethcopley@bodycentric.net.
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