Unit 5 Project

Well I could not figure out how to attach my presentation in power point, but here is the outline version of my project.


Integral Health
The Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Brittany Sproul

Agenda

• Mental Fitness
• Research to support the connection
• Where to start
• Exercises to develop a mind-body-spirit connection
• References

Mental Fitness

• A term to define the process of working out the mind
• This exercises develops
• Clarity of mind
• Awareness of the body
• A link between the functions of the mind and the body and spirit

Fredrick Luskin

• Fredrick Luskin was a Clinical Science Research Associate at Stanford University School of Medicine
• Study
• The study asked people to participate who had a burden on their minds. They were asked and helped to forgive the ones that had caused this burden.
• Results
• A decrease in physical symptoms of stress such as stomach issues, headaches, general stress. Attitude and mindset of participants improved (Schlits, Amorok and Micozzi, 2005)

Antoine Lutz

• Study
• Compare brain waves of contemplative scholars with a control group when asked to develop a compassionate mental state
• Results
• Scholar’s brain waves showed increased and more synchronized gamma waves, which suggests higher order of mental integration

Dr. Dean Ornish

• Medical Doctor treating people with heart disorders
• Study
• Aimed to show that people who exercised, implemented various wellness techniques and spiritual techniques improved at a greater rate then those who only relied on modern medicine
• Results
• Significant health improvements in those who utilized wellness
• Decline and even death in those with only modern medical techniques (Schlits, Amorok and Micozzi, 2005)

Connecting the Mind-Body and Spirit

• Techniques
  
• Loving Kindness Exercises
• Subtle Mind Exercise

Loving Kindness

• The exercise takes the focus off ourselves and puts it on others
• Technique
• Begin with short 5-15 minute sessions each day-preferably around the same time everyday
• Bring your mind to something or someone close to you
• Allow the loving feelings of this topic to take over the mind
• Slowly, turn these thoughts towards yourself-beginning with the sensations both pleasant and unpleasant
• Give all thoughts equal care and allow them to come and go through your mind
• Once the thoughts are gone embrace the stillness of the mind
• Welcome this stillness into your life (Dacher, 2006)

• Results
• A feeling of peace and a step closer to self awareness and harmony

Subtle Mind

• Three step approach helping a person develop towards psychospiritual flourishing
• Techniques
• Close your eyes take 10 deep breaths focusing on either the movement of the chest up and down or the passing of air in and our of the nostrals
• Continue with the breaths focusing on the movements of the body
• Allow any thoughts feelings or sensations to pass in and our of the mind
• Results
• A closer connection of the mind and the functions of the body
• A step closer to the unity of consciousness (Dacher, 2006)

Summary

• There is a connection between the mind-body and spirit
• The results of this connection have been proved through the studies of Luskin, Lutz and Ornish
• Techniques to developing a connection in yourself include- loving kindness and subtle mind

References
Dacher, E.S., (2006). Integral health the path to human flourishing. Basic Health Publications. Laguna Beach, CA.
Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., and Micozzi, M.S. (2005) Consciousness & Healing: Integral Approaches to Mind-Body Medicine. Elsevier Churchill Livingston Publications. St. Louis, MI.