PowerPoint Presentation

Sandi BrownKaplan UniversityHW420-01February 4, 2012

Mental Flourishing Exercise Dacher, E. (2011). Aware, awake, alive: A contemporary guide to the ancient science of integral health and human flourishing. St Paul, MN: Paragon House.When we forget who we are we lose touch with the truth of our lives, the goodness of heart, and the beauty of existence. Aswe grow in consciousness, we return to the center of our beingand become one with everything. Our deepest nature reveals itself in a luminous embrace. Then we know with certainty the essenceof life and the unity of existence. Distress and suffering dissolve. We are healed. We are whole. We are one Elliott S. Dacher, 2011.Aware, Awake, AlivePresentation ObjectiveBenefits of Mental FitnessDemonstrated the healing qualities of mental and spiritual focusExamples of exercises, activities, or practices which can improve mental fitnessStep by step instructions and explanations important to the development of mental fitnessResearched studiesConclusion

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.IntroductionMental Fitness, what is it?What type of benefits can be achieved through the practice of mental fitness?What types of exercise practices can help reach different levels of consciousness?What is conscious growth and development?What is Human Flourishing?

Mental FitnessA journey of self-transformation through mental fitness exerciseThe ability to journey from external to internal or outer to inner with meditation, prayer, breathing techniques or quiet and still mindsDevelopment of spiritual being or psychospiritual beingDevelopment of psychological aspects of the mind to gain wellness, mind/body healing, and consciousness and health

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.Healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus

Reduces negative emotions such as anger, hate, fear, uncertainty, anxiety and depressionIncreases loving-kindness, calm-abiding and unity consciousnessReduces risk of sickness, illness and or diseases Freedom from mental distressHolistic and evolutionary growth in well-being of the mind, body and spiritHelps human flourishing to occur

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.Exercise PracticesMeditationPrayerQuietness and StillnessBreathing TechniquesYoga, Tai ChiVisual & Guided Imagery Mindfulness

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.Step-by-Step Instruction of Guided ImageryClose your eyes and take a few slow deep breaths With each in flow and out flow of your breath allow yourself to become more relaxed, more comfortable, more peacefulAs you drift into a deep state of relaxation image you are transported to a beautiful serene natural environmentThe air is warm and fragrant with the aroma of sweet tropical flowersThe sky is deep blue with only a rare blurry cloud lazily floating by The sun bathes you in its comforting warm light

Chopra, D. (2009, Apr 21). Wild divine. Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts Guided imagery continuedGuided imagery continued

The sounds of exotic bird songs and the whisper of soft breeze through the trees offer a soothing auditory backgroundNature is lush, extravagant, abundant, exotic, sensual In this beautiful place imagine yourself laying on a blanket on a soft grassy mound feel the sense of connection, sense of comfort to all of nature allowing all the nurturing sounds, sensation, sights and smells to give you a sense of deep comfort You are returning from the womb of creationsEnjoy this experience by being embraced and nurtured by Mother Nature

Chopra, D. (2009, Apr 21). Wild divine. Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts Guided imagery continuedGuided imagery continued

This is where you came fromWhen you are ready come back to this space and time Carry your feeling of comfort and relaxation wherever you go Carry the whole universe with you, wherever you go Nature is all around you Enjoy this experiences while embracing Mother Nature

Chopra, D. (2009, Apr 21). Wild divine. Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts Guided imagery continuedGuided imagery continued

Bring your self-back and take this experience with youVisit here and each time stay longer so that you will get the full benefit of relaxation. Bring the whole universe with you wherever you go

Chopra, D. (2009, Apr 21). Wild divine. Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts Guided imagery continued

Conscious Awareness, Growth and DevelopmentFive Guiding PrinciplesHolistic the inner/outer & personal/shared experiences Evolutionary growth in profound, accurate & comprehensive knowledge of self & lifeIntentional the mental ability to consciously choose & actPerson-Centered is based on the moment, age, life circumstance, level of development, capacities & so forthDynamic considering the circumstances of each day and act accordingly (Dacher, 2006). Staying the course, shift direction or emphasis when necessaryDacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.Studies Robert Alder early 1970s (1st Study)

Elmer & Alyce Green early 1970s (2nd Study)

Candace Pert early 1970s (3rd Study)

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.1st Study Robert Alder early 1970s

Dr. Alder Professor of Psychosocial Medicine at University of Rochester and early researching in this field conducted typical behavioral conditioning experiment using rats. They were fed saccharine sweetened water mixed with Cytoxan which is a nausea producing drug. The rats learned very quickly to associate the sweetened water with nausea caused by the drug. Once the drug was removed the rats continued having symptoms concluding that the rats had a mentally learned response and that it was all in the rats mind. The nausea was simply triggered by the taste of the sweetened water (Dacher, 2006).continuedDacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.Dr. Alders Study continuedThe major find of Dr. Alder was the fact that the drug Cytoxan is an anticancer drug designed to suppress the immune system and that the rats learned to reproduce the suppression of the immune systems (Dacher, 2006).The implications of the rats being mentally capable of altering the immune systems led to the conclusion that humans through consciousness could self-regulate this important guardian of their bodies (Dacher, 2006).This was an astounding study leading to other developments within the mind/body connection (Dacher, 2006).

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc. studies continued2nd Study The Greens early 1970sElmer and Alyce Green discovery of how the mind can affect many physiological functions of the body by the use of mental imagery. Training the mind with the help of biofeedback machinery, they discovered how the mind can voluntarily control blood pressure, pulse, muscular tension, skin temperature, bowel motility and other activities (Dacher, 2006).They findings of how mental image, thought or awareness translates into physical experience lead to other questions. studies continuedDacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.The Greens Study continuedQuestions like how the mind can affect the mobile immune system when it is not Hard-wired connected to the automatic physiologic mechanism or the central nervous system (Dacher, 2006). The missing link was filled in by a Professor at Georgetown University in the early 70s named Candace Pert.studies continuedDacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.3rd Study Candace Pert early 1970s Candace Pert discovered a series of natural body proteins called neuropeptides which circulate constantly through the body carrying messages back and forth (Dacher, 2006).A third mind/body communication system joining the automatic physiologic mechanisms and the central nervous system but different due to being mobile. The neuropeptides are made by cells, act on other cells as well as the entire system. The brain talks to the immune system, the heart to the kidneys, the glands to each of the cells within the body and so on, creating in the process a fully interconnected community (Dacher, 2006).Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.studies continuedCandace Pert Study continuedLater Professor Pert and others found that thoughts, feelings and visual images (mind stuff) produce specific neuropeptides that alter physiology (Dacher, 2006).This portion of the study was important due to the fact if we could control dissipate and transform negative emotions occurring in the mind it would be possible to reverse their deleterious effect (Dacher, 2006).Diving deeper the thought was the mind could be transformed through inner development in a positive direction of health, happiness and wholeness which would make the body smile (Dacher, 2006).Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.ConclusionThe conclusion and facts of this presentation represents the direr need for mental fitness. Practicing meditation, guided or visual imagery, prayer, breathing techniques or simply quieting the mind from mental chatter or clutter in order to have good mental and physical health.This is the only way to rid the mind of relentless disturbances and the only way to remain free of premature illness or disease. For true flourishing of the body, mind and spirit, we must go to the root of our mind/body ailments and permanently heal them at the source (Dacher, 2006).This can only be done through inner or psychospiritual development. Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.References Chopra, D. (2009, Apr 21). Wild divine. Retrieved on February 4, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D56tUOdpgts Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publication, Inc.Dacher, E. (2011). Aware, awake, alive: A contemporary guide to the ancient science of integral health and human flourishing. St Paul, MN: Paragon House.