HW 420 Unit 10 last of the last Hoka Hey!

I am all over the board from one day to the next.  On a scale of 1-10 I am a 7 in all areas physical, mental and spiritual.  I graded myself a little differently I thought I had it together at first then I took this class and started to go deep into stillness and found a world of anger that had become bitterness.  I had to go backward in all areas.  Bitterness went to anger then came a stillness a contented peace.  I know there is room for improvement in everything but I am on a journey from the Creator and I feel alive again!  I need to loose weight so I am walking 5 miles a day through the mountains and then finish it with a refreshing swim.  I found a meditation that I use it is a spiritual Lakota song and it moves me.  That brings me to taking the step toward a healthier spiritual wellness.  I refuse to believe in hell and damnation.  It is torture to feel that what calls you that is your ancestors to walk the Good Red Road a way of loving all creation is cursed at by my white half of the family.  They will not hold me down anymore!  I travel the way of my ancestors my Lakota Oyate it is the way of the Medicine wheel that brings me healing and peace.  I have been to Intertribal that is where all First Nations people gather no matter the exact tribe.  I feel connected and at peace.

I have made a lot of progress in each area.  I have become centered mentally connected physically and working out way more physically.  I just feel stronger in all areas of my life.

The most rewarding thing I can think of was the peace that came from learning to be still it has brought my vision to me and my Heyoka Healer.  That is healing through laughter which is the best kind of medicine.  Rewarding experience to top it off is that I have learned to open my heart to another.  If it is Grandfathers desire then we will walk the Good Red Road together.  A lot has happened since the first week of this class what I have shared here is only the tip of the ice bergJ.

I am still being taught by Heyoka SUMANITU TAKA.  Some people have mis translated the word Heyoka to mean only clown but to the Lakota it is a special man that can mend the hearts of people through laughter and compassion. 

I am on my way!  Hoka Hey!!!

Angel Running Deer Dobson

Discover the Spirit Within: Intro Raja Yoga Meditation

If you are open minded this will make sense.

Cherokee Home

Walking through our backyard at Cherokee Forrest what a lovely Sunday. Aug 7, 2011

What do you see in the woods?

I see beauty everywhere! 

HW420 Unit 9 Final Project

Angela Dobson

HW420 Unit 9 Final Project

August 6, 2011

HW420 Unit 9 Final Project

Professor Susan Stewart

HW420 Unit 9 Final Project

                      I.                      Introduction:
Why is it important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically? What areas do you need to develop to achieve the goals you have for yourself?

It is important for health and wellness professionals to develop psychologically, spiritually and physically because in my opinion it is impossible to teach something in its entirety if you have not obtained the outcome you are trying to teach.  I have said many times before that my absolute favorite saying we had in the Marines was “You can’t teach what you don’t know and you can’t lead where you won’t go”.  Grammatically imperfect but the meaning is absolutely true.  In order for your students to have full confidence in you it is important that you embody the very essence of what you are teaching.  It is very difficult for a human to accept words as truth unless they see with their own eyes that which is being touted as truth.  It would be very difficult for a student to believe peace, physical, emotional and spiritual health are attainable if they did not first witness their instructors own integral health.

In order for me to be a stronger influence on a student or my own children for that matter I must first work harder to obtain peace in stressful situations not just when things are going well.  The second thing I really need to work on is my eating habits.  I am ashamed to say I am a stress eater.  I did not have this problem until my military doctors started treating my PTSD with medications.  I gained 60 pounds in 6 months.  It brings on cravings which I have given into time and time again.  I have made an agreement with my very health conscience daughter to spend one day a week looking up healthy meals and only buying the necessary food for those meals with fruits and vegetables as my health snack.  The third part of my life that I need help on is overcoming anger that is where my Transcendental Meditation will come into play.  I took the first step this week to drive 11/2 hours to the Transcendental Meditation Center of Boone NC.  The director is absolutely amazing.  She is a Christian and has learned how to incorporate all the things that I hold sacred and healing into one practice.  She not only teaches TM but she is a renowned Vedic organic gardener, herbalists, and crystal specialist as applies to healing through the use of crystal energies.  I plan on learning Reiki from another instructor to round out my healing and pass my knowledge on to my future students.  Of course I already incorporated the smudge and cleansing ceremonies as well as Christian beliefs so hopefully this will all come together into one smooth practice.

                   II.                      Assessment:
How have you assessed your health in each domain? How do you score your wellness spiritually, physically, and psychologically?

I think right now I am a steady 5 in all areas.   Spiritually I sway back and forth from what I believe is true to what I was taught by the Christian side of my family and what they believed was true.  I still fight the gnawing words of the Christians that believed if you read associate or practice any other belief other than the ones stated in the bible then you are going to hell.  I had a very warped since of whom the Creator was and I am still trying to find peace with why it would be necessary to see your only son tortured and die on a cross.  One day I hope to gain revelation on this until then there is a little spark of anger whenever I think about how a loving Creator could allow so much cruelty into the world. 

Physically I am a 5 because I do walk but not fast enough.  I do swim but not hard enough.  I do eat healthy but not every day.  I want very much to get off the PTSD medication and until then I will not feel completely physically healthy.  It does increase mood swings and food cravings which are a battle. 

Psychologically I am a 5 because I do not know how to trust anyone!  I have not dated anyone in almost 10 years.  I spend my entire life giving what I can to my girls and the part that is left over I spend trying to increase my education.  Other than that I don’t feel as if I have anything left to give.  I have a few really close friends and they have been with me through a lot of hard times.  I haven’t allowed other people into my circle because of the trust issue.  Also, I am so completely tired of hearing people tell me what they think I should do rather it be find a good church  or send my children to public school that I would rather not give anyone the opportunity into my life at this time.  That is until I feel confident enough in all my choices that I am not swayed by other people.

Goal development:
List at least one goal you have for yourself in each area, Physical, Psychological (mental health) and Spiritual.

My physical goal is to hike a 15 mile portion of the Appalachian Trail in one day. 

My Psychological goal is to reach a peaceful existence.

My spiritual goal is to become rooted in the Truth and to not wave in my beliefs.

                III.                      Practices for personal health:
What strategies can you implement to foster growth in each of the following domains; Physical, Psychological, and Spiritual. Provide at least two examples of exercises or practices in each domain. Explain how you will implement each example.

Spiritually I feel I am gaining ground steadily and my faith and beliefs are becoming firmly grounded.  I believe that there is more for me to gain knowledge from and my mind is not as closed as it was before.  I had such a fear of even listening to anything that sounded remotely pagan or non-Christian because of that ingrained fear of a one way ticket to hell.  I have found that I practice what my Native ancestors practiced as far as healing herbs, rituals and the belief of one Creator but I also believe in Jesus Christ and believe that he visited my people while he walked the earth.  I have a deep love and compassion for all humans regardless of their spiritual beliefs and I have found if you listen to what others say you can glean wisdom from them.

Physically I have started a walking/hiking program that is working out wonderfully for my daughter and me.  We end it with a refreshing swim in the river for about an hour and then lay on the boulders while we dry off and read or draw.  I have already started the new eating healthy regimen and plan on going completely organic once I increase my income.  I do have my own garden but it is small and will not have enough organic produce to last through the winter. 

Psychologically I am on my way to a better emotional state of mind.  I have had PTSD for 20 years now and I have finally found a way to overcome it.  That way is through meditation.  Not the kind where you read a book and think sure I’ll give that a try.  I am taking classes from a meditation expert that has been practicing for over 40 years.  She is the picture of perfect integral health.  Her mind is bright her emotions are even and peaceful and her spirit is radiant!  I have more hope now than I have ever had before and I cannot wait to learn more so I can help those that have gone through the same horrors that I have.

                IV.                      Commitment:
How will you assess your progress or lack of progress in the next six months? What strategies can you use to assist in maintaining your long-term practices for health and wellness?

Assessing my goals should be fairly easy, and obvious if I am obtaining them.  For the next six months I will set up a plan and check it every day to stay on track.  I will accomplish all my goals and that is a fact.  I have given my daughters, mother, friends and TM instructor my goals so that I stay accountable to someone besides myself.  I think there is strength in numbers and hopefully with each goal I attain it will inspire one of my family members or friends to try and reach a new goal for them. 

My physical plan is to hike 2 miles a day for 2 weeks and then add a mile every 2 weeks until I have built up my stamina and muscle strength.  I plan on reaching a good 15 mile hike October and then I will continue to walk about 5 miles a day during the winter time.  I don’t feel it is necessary to walk 15 miles a day every day it is just a goal I am training for. 

My spiritual plan is to continue to be open to learning new things from all people, keeping what I think is right for me and letting the rest go.  I am a member of an Intertribal Church of Native American Indians.  I will continue to go there as they incorporate the old ways with Christian teachings.  It is the best of both worlds for me.  I am planning a 6 month retreat to the Transcendental Meditation Center at Boone where they practice Mother Devine.  It doesn’t go against my beliefs and I think it will be a spiritual awakening for me and my daughter.  My oldest is in college so it will just be my youngest girl.  Also I am in the middle of learning the 1 year teachings of the Lakota Medicine Wheel. 

I am ready to begin a new chapter in my life with my eyes, ears and heart open to all the Great Creator has in store for me Hoka Hey!

Love,

Angel Running Deer Dobson

Jason Upton - Fly (Angels audibly sing with Upton!)

Jason Upton is a singer/song writer He has been a worship leader for a very long time. When Jason was recording this song he and several others reported that there was a 12 foot Angel that started singing with him children and grown men ran away and hid under desks because the fear of the Lord was upon them and they were able to see the Angel standing behind Jason. Rather you have the faith to believe in the Super Natural Beings of Heaven or not this song will touch your spirit and soothe your soul.
Love,
Angel Running Deer Dobson

PS The electronics experts were able to verify that the high pitched noise is not man made:)

Robbie Robertson Peyote Healing (Native American)

Running Deer's Healing Waters: Unit 8 "Just Breathe"

Running Deer's Healing Waters: Unit 8 "Just Breathe": "Unit 8 Just Breathe The two meditations that have inspired me the most from this class are “Meeting Asclepius” and “Subtle Mind” exercise (D..."

Unit 8 "Just Breathe"

Unit 8 Just Breathe

The two meditations that have inspired me the most from this class are “Meeting Asclepius” and “Subtle Mind” exercise (Dacher 2006).  Both of these have an incredible calming effect to my mind but they accomplish a peaceful state of mind in two very distinctly different ways.

            First “Meeting Asclepius” meditation is a wonderful way to get through feelings of self hatred, loneliness and isolation.  In this meditation you focus on a person that you love and that has shown you love.  Next you take on the characteristics of that person, be it their wisdom, open and loving heart or physical strength and power.  By imagining this person sitting in front of you it allows you to feel as if you are no longer alone.  The second connection begins when you imagine a white light beaming from their head to your head so that you gain their positive thoughts and wisdom, a white light beaming from their throat to your throat allowing you to take in their positive speech and last the white light beaming from their heart to your heart allowing you to receive their love, kindness and compassion and share it to the world.

            The second meditation called the “Subtle Mind” is the go to meditation for me when I am experiencing great anxiety or overwhelming fear.  This exercise is a focus on the breath.  By focusing on your breathing you are able to allow other thoughts to come and go and never attach your focus on those thoughts because your focus is on your relaxing, repetitive and smooth breathing.  Your mind does not focus on two things with the same intensity at the same time.  By concentrating deeply on your breath the other thoughts are allowed to drift by without great attention toward them.  This very meditation was very useful today as I crossed Back Bone Rock alone.    In the past I was able to cross two other times both times holding someone’s hand.  Not that if I started to fall off the incredibly high and narrow cliff they would actually be able to stop me but I was able to concentrate my focus on their feet and the sensation of them squeezing my hand.  Ever since those two times I have taken my daughter up to Backbone Rock and as she is not afraid of anything (so it seems) she would always speed on ahead all the while I would be frantically calling out to her saying “slow down, watch your step and wait up I think I have to turn back.”  Yes we have tried unsuccessfully 5 other times to get me to cross that narrow cliff (did I mention it was narrow?).  All 5 times I had to turn back around and go down the mountain side we came up with my countenance low.  Today was going to be different!  I made up my mind I would cross that cliff.  I started out visualizing my outcome as the victor and crossing that cliff with a smile on my face.  That got my courage up to try again.  Then came the anxious moment about a gazillion feet up in the air with nothing on either side just a straight drop into the depths below.  I slowed my walking pace and began to do the Subtle Mind practice.  Yes up on that cliff I began to slowly breathe in and out methodically and purposefully.  Concentrating intensely on the air going in through my nose with a count of 4 and back out with another count of 4.  I was able to look at the ground where my feet were taking one step at a time just like I do every day but instead of noticing the huge drop off where before I imagined plummeting to my death I instead paid little attention to it because I kept my mind focused on my breath.  In 2-3-4 out 2-3-4 keeping the same pace in a controlled manner and with in 5 minutes I was on the other side of that natural bridge the victor!  Yes it was intense and there were times I had to count out loud still in a low deep purposefully slow pace in 2-3-4 out 2-3-4.  I am alive and well with a great sense of accomplishment.  I thought that would be my metaphor for life.  Take it slow, do everything with purpose and just remember to breathe.

Love, peace and happiness,

Angel Running Deer Dobson

References:

Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The path to human flourishing.     Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.

The pictures in decending order are:
1.  My daughter Robin Little Fawn and me at the top of Back Bone Rock safely on the other side!
2.  The narrow drop off part.
3.  View from the top.
4.  The first time I crossed the cliff with the help of two great guys Phil on the outside and Chris in the middle.  Angels sent from above that is for sure.  Thanks guys!  Notice my hands out as if I am trying to balance and this is the wide part where we can stand on the narrow part was in the 2nd pick above.

Dayton Children's Pet Therapy Program sponsored by Iams

Pet therapy is billiant!!! I wish I could have had a visit from the fury four legged friend before my 3 surgeries.

Meeting Aesclipus

Unit 7 HW 420 Meeting Asclepius

1.       This week’s assignment for “Meeting Asclepius” is probably my absolute favorite.  I have been practicing this particular meditation since the cd arrived in the mail.  I first started out imagining my grandmother and all off her wonderful attributes.    I feel like this exercise has really allowed me to see myself with love the way I see my grandmother.  For the past few days though I have been imagining a different person one that I do not know very well only that he is an artists and has helped me over the past several months with certain issues I have dealt with.  He is amazing so very calm and the way he looks and explains everything is through the eyes of an artist.  This person can speak several foreign languages fluently and is so humble.  Because of his humbleness, incredible art abilities and language skills I now want to channel those attributes.  I have said for so long that I despise my entire art and jewelry as well as feeling semi mentally disabled when it comes to foreign languages.  I am now going to imagine that I too can flow in all things of creativity and open my mind to learn new things.  Because I have chosen at this point in my life to earn my living through my jewelry and sewing creations I need to have a healthy outlook on my art.  I will continue to practice this meditation through my life changing my imagined or real mentor when there is a new attribute I want to obtain.  I believe this benefits me in 2 ways.  One it helps me connect with individuals in a way I have never connected.  I have always been a compassionate and loving person but have not been able to accept love from others other than my daughters.  I think this meditation will open the doors for that very thing.  The second benefit will be a healing process for me where I learn to love myself because I can see the people I love or admire in me.

2.      2.Describe the saying: "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself” (P.477) How does this apply to the health and wellness professional? Do you have an obligation to your clients to be developing your health psychologically, physically, and spiritually? Why or why not? How can you implement psychological and spiritual growth in your personal life?

I love this saying.  We have a similar saying in the Marines that is the my favorite motto.  “You can’t teach what you don’t know and you can’t lead where you won’t go.”  I do not believe that book knowledge is enough to help anyone develop mentaly, physicaly or spiritually.  One must have first hand knowledge and experience in the things they wish to teach.  The only way to lead someone safely to a determined point is by first traversing the terrain yourself.  There are pitfalls to be avoided that you would not know about had you not seen experienced them yourself.  Theory is not fact until proven.  Other people must have confidence in you before they fully accept your teachings as credible.  Practice what you preach or you are just considered a quack!

Angel Running Deer Dobson.

Elliot Dacher - The Path to Human Flourishing Pt 2

Very interesting lecture on the sacred experience of "Meeting Asciepius"

HW420 Unit 6

Loving Kindness meditation (Dacher, 2006 pg. 93)

In a relaxed position after taking a few minutes to ease your mind close your eyes and repeat the following phrase for the next 10 minutes.

May all individuals gain freedom from suffering.

May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness.

May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering.

May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.

After the first 2 minutes of repeating this I started to analyze it because that is just my nature.  At first I wanted to know how this would actually take place.  What was the Divine’s responsibility, the universes’ responsibility and what part was my responsibility.  The next problem I encountered was wondering just exactly what I would have to do to help people gain freedom from suffering and assist them in finding health, happiness, and wholeness.  I continued to repeat the phrase over and over until my mind was at ease and a warm feeling of security and peace came over me.  It was like a light bulb going on.  I do not have all the answers at this time but my thoughts, love and actions of kindness will help in a positive way the entire universe from my sitting here just projecting the loving-kindness into the atmosphere.  A image came into my mind of something very familiar to me.  I love the water and take my daughter to swim at the river almost every day.  I taught her how to skip rocks and how the final plunge of the rock starts a small ring and progressively increases in size till it looks as if the entire area has been moved by the one small stone.  I saw this image in my head and imagined that my arm was my center where I held the rock (my thoughts of loving kindness) and as I released the metaphorical rock it skipped across the universe and landed on the very person that needed to be helped.  The waves of loving kindness stirred that person and all people that surrounded that one person until the entire universe was affected by that one metaphorical rock.  Not just people as the rock in the river does not simply ripple the water but it also stirs the sand, vibrations reaching to the fish and animals that live in the water sending the bugs that float on top of the water to take flight into the trees.  It is a chain reaction set off by one stone.  Our one thought of loving-kindness directed to even just one person or group of people has the possibility that the entire universe can be touched. 

Results from the integral assessment:

1.        The parts of my life that are the most significant sources of stress are pretty superficial.  My body image is distressing to me my lack of discipline to eat right and exercise enough to be in good physical shape having caused me to not enjoy many things to their full extent.   I am self-conscience when it comes to being in my swimsuit going to the river.  Luckily we are there in a remote area with not many people.  I have a huge loud voice in my head that says no matter where you are who you talk to or what you do no one will accept you everyone is making fun of the way you look, talk act and dress and you do not belong here.  It could be anywhere even with just my family around.  I do not meet up to their idea of success, beauty or spiritual beliefs.  I feel as if there is no one that will accept me for who I am inside or out.  Wow did I just write that.  I cannot believe I am sharing this with everyone.

2.        I have focused on short term relief most of my life.  I am sure that is why I am in the shape I am in.  I am overweight and have been single and celibate for 10 yrs.  That is because I do not trust anyone and that brings on depression anger and loneliness that in turn brings on the short term relief of comfort food. 

3.       I do not have now a long term inner self sustained ability to flourish that is why I am taking this class to hopefully gain knowledge in how to achieve that very thing.

4.       I am just now begining to develop the psychospiritual aspect of my life in a healthy way.  In the past I have suppressed my true beliefs and taken on the belief that everything that I believe that was not written in the bible I would go to hell for believing.   Half of my family made sure that every belief and teaching from the other half of my family was driving me straight to the Devil.  I am 41 yrs. old now and I am taking a stand.  I will believe that which I know to be true deep inside me (that is that I am not going to hell and furthermore there is no bottomless pit where the Devil lives to torture you).   I am one with all creation and that the same spirit that lives in me also lives in all creatures.  That nature is our healing place and our mind can go past our physical body.  I am Native American Indian I believe in the old ways and I am beginning to gain a great amount of peace through connecting with my ancestors and spiritual guides.

5.       I realize the need for a spiritual guide and have by the grace of our Great Creator I was given one.

6.       I will look over and reassess my integral health many times over my life but this is where I stand now.  I am at the door of new beginnings where the balance of all things are coming together and I can reach out my hand and grab a hold of this existence called integral health.

The Lakota Way 1

Native American Meditation 11; The Butterfly, Those who..

Metta Meditation (Universal Loving Kindness)

POWER POINT

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B_s-FmQ8vjytMGRjYjllZDktNTFhMi00ZjMzLThhZjgtYWQ5ZGFkNTk0YWY1&hl=en_US

POWER POINT

So since I can't post the power point here I posted it to the Discussion Board for unit 5 disc.

unit 5 project hw420 mental fitness

mhtml:file://C:\Documents and Settings\user\My Documents\POWER POINT FINAL FOR UNIT 5 HW420.mht!POWERPOINTFINALFORUNIT5HW420_files/frame.htm

Unit 5 Disc HW420

Complete the following and post in your blog:

Your mental fitness practice this week incorporates the concept of the subtle mind (Dacher p.75). This week, replace the Loving Kindness exercise of unit four with Practice 2: The subtle mind exercise and listen to track #3 on the Dacher CD.

1.Compare and contrast the Loving Kindness exercise and the Subtle mind exercise. Explain your experience including the benefits, frustrations etc.
2.Discuss the connection of the spiritual wellness to mental and physical wellness. Explain how the connection is manifested in your personal life.
3.Participate in the Blogs of at least two other students. Provide them with feedback on their experiences (Do you have any suggestions or support for them? How does their experience compare to your experience? What have you learned from their blog?)

The image of true love is the calmness that centers me or should I say the center that calms me. This was the one of the loving kindness exercises I did. Focusing on my grandmother and alternating that with focusing on the idea of who Jesus is as a loving pefect person.

This week I replaced that practice with the subtle mind practice and I had a lot of sucsess with it. I was able to eventually just be a witness the thousands of thought running through my head at any given time. I was able to release them as mere thoughts and the strangest thing began to unfold. I started to connect with my natural surroundings. Not just like noticing how pretty the flowers were but actually feeling and believing I am part of that flower, part of the trees and the birds etc. I have always believed we are all made by the same Great Creator and know that one of things in natrue affects all other things but in this meditation I began to see myself as a tea rose. Small dainty fragrant yet strong and powerful. I am not sure why a tea rose of all things is what I felt like I became and you can laugh if you want but I felt as if I took on the thoughts of the flower the opening to the rain the tilting my head toward the sun the ability to just be what the Great Creator made me and nothing more or nothing less. I was just simply being.

I loved this exercise and that will be my second meditation. I still want to continue to the loving kindness to help me ease from this exterior life to a peaceful loving state and then go further into the meditation with the subtle mind meditation. The two are similar in that you goal is to quiet the chatter that goes on in your mind and there by stilling your mind. The two practices teaches you that through love kindness and mindfulness you can change your thoughts and behavior. The loving kindness gets you to focus on someone besides yourself then take in that love the subtle mind exercise allows you to look at things without feeling the need to hold on to them. Both have a similar goal in mind and that is to produce a quieted mind with loving actions. The first connects you to just one other person and the latter connects you to all of creation.

As you all know I practice a differnt type of spiritual beliefs. Incorperating the Native American Indian ways with the Christian beliefs. It is funny to me and so true the statement that Ghandi made something to the affect that he has never met a true Christian. That was in a response to the question do you belive in Christianity. Now I would have to do research to find an exact quote and I am sure it is probably a misquote at that. With that said I would have to agree. I have never really met someone that follows all of what the bible teaches. I do not personally believe that the current day bible is the true scriptures that Jesus spoke of anyway. I do belive however that the Great Creator made an example of true love by giving His son as an example of love. I have in the past experienced major anxiety attacks and I know what calms my mind is meditating on the perfect son of our Great Creator. I believe that by calling on his powerful name you can banish demons. That being said I also believe that we have to train our mind to focus on truth, love and compassion this in itself is what brings your peaceful destination. Relaxing your physical body, calming your mind and becoming fully aware of your spritual self is the connection that heals all three areas of your being. One can not be healthy if the other two are sick. It is the way of the great hoop of life. One leads into the other there is no begining no end simply a circle or as you have read in an earlier post the Lakota teaching of the Medicine Wheel.

I love both of these exercises and feel already a great sense of calmness and well being. This class just gets better and better! My ancestors taught us to meditate to clear your mind, the bible teaches you to meditate on that which is lovely and the both combined teach you just what we are being taught in class.


Love
Angel Running Deer Dobson

APTN First Tracks 2008, M'Girl "Eyes Wide Open"

Al Gore's Challenge to Repower America (Full Speech)

HW420 Unit 4 question Loving Kindness practice.

Question 1.Describe your experience. (Did you find it beneficial? Difficult?) Why or Why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or Why not?

Answer:
I will have to practice this a few more times before I decide if I like it or not. I would have to practice it more than a week before I would reccommend it to anyone else. I was enjoying the meditation on Loving Kindness until the narrarator said to picture your loved one and on the inhale take in their suffering (something like that). Ok here is the deal on that. It is not my belief that we as humans can take away the suffering of an individual by inhaling their pain. I believe that the Devine Creator Great Spirit takes away your pain. It is our place to be kind, loving, compassionate and empathetic but not to be a human vaccum cleaner. I send out love but refuse to take in pain or negativity. I did enjoy the ocean wave music in the background and the prompts to send love. I will be praying for Devine revelation on this practice to see if my eyes are opened to the deeper meaning of this exercise. How would Great Spirit want me to respond to this lesson. I know I will pray the prayer of my ancestors.

"Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy – myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes,
so when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit will come to you
without shame."

–Chief Yellow Lark, Lakota Tribe


Question 2.
What is the concept of “Mental Workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a Mental Work Out? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health?

Answer:
The concept of "Mental Workout" is that your brain can be exercised strengthened and trained just like any other part of your being. "Mental training can transform the mind by reducing disturbing emotions that cause anger, hatred, fear, worry, confusion, and doubt while enhancing positive emotions such as patience, loving-kindness, openness, acceptance and happiness" (Dacher, 2006 ch.6 pg. 63).
Research indicates that the gamma waves of the brain that control higher consciousness can be positively affected through training yourself to cotemplating on developing a loving and compassionate mental state. This paticular study mentioned in the book Integral Health said that with ongoing practice there was a syncronizing of the gamma waves which might possibly indicate a higer order of mental orginization (Sacher, 2006 ch 6 pg. 63). In my understanding different brain waves control different thoghts and actions contorlled by your brain. If you develope love and compassion it synergistically works with your brain waves and chemicals to promote a new way of understanding and deciphering information.

References:
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral Health: The Path of Human Flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications


Love and happiness,
Angel Running Deer Dobson

Camping Trip at Big Bear Mtn.

Lakota Culture 108: The Medicine Wheel (Introduction)

HW420 Unit 3 questions on wellness

1. Based on your reflections, and on a scale of 1 to 10 (ten being optimal wellbeing), where do you rate your A-physical wellbeing, B-spiritual well-being, C-psychological well-being? Why?
2. Develop a goal for yourself in each area (physical, spiritual, psychological).
3. What activities or exercise can you implement in your life to assist in moving toward each goal?
4. Complete the relaxation exercise The Crime of the Century. To hear this exercise, click here. Describe your experience. (What it beneficial? Frustrating? etc.)

On a scale from 1-10 here is what I have rated my wellbeing in the areas of physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing.

For physical wellbeing I am a 7 because I am nowhere near in the shape I was when I was a Marine. I could back pack for 20 miles a day with a 50 pound back pack in ruff terrain. After having children I have become very soft. I feel accomplished when I get a 5 mile hike in and that is with a 20 pound back pack. My oldest daughter Megan Doe Eyes is now in California going to college so my youngest daughter Robin Little Fawn and I have started hiking at a faster pace and going even in the rain. I chose not to take my girls hiking in all-weather before because my oldest suffered from asthma.

I would say that I am a 9 for spiritual wellbeing. I have been to almost every kind of Christian church from the high liturgical mass of Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian to some really spirit filled churches like Assemblies of God and Church of God. I have even been to something very strange called Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall. All I can say is they all seem to have a running theme that is you are going to Hell if you don’t do everything they think is right. Each one of them interprets the Bible differently and none of them seem to agree on major points. I have been given visions since I was 3 years old from our Great Creator, Great Mystery or God Almighty whatever it is you choose to call the Great Spirit of all of Creation. My ancestors practiced herbalism and faith healing as well as lying on of hands which in a lot of churches are considered witch craft and yes those narrow minded people have tormented my ancestors and all but wiped out our practices. Strange enough I have been able to incorporate all that I have learned. I believe in one Creator I believe He had a physical son Yeshua that died for my sins and was raised from the dead but that is where the traditional Christian beliefs end and my beliefs from my ancestors begin. I believe that the Son of God visited the Native American Indians and so brought the truth to all of us. To build on the One God one Savior I also believe that we are all part of this life called sacred hoop. There is not one book that holds the answers. The answers are written in our heart.

On the psychological wellbeing I would say I am a 7. I have a lot of anger that I deal with on a daily basis. Many unhappy things happened in the Marine Corps that I deal with and have gone for counseling for. I have dealt with a life filled of racism and condemnation from well meaning “Christians” that were relentless in their finger pointing and constant ridicule on how I am not meeting up to what the Bible says we are supposed to do. They have shunned me when I spoke of visions and even prayed over me saying that I was being deceived by Satan. That God does not give visions only Satan does that God does not allow Christians to practice healing methods or meditation except on the bible scriptures. As a child and teen even into my adult life I was torn over all that I was taught from outsiders. I am now on the RED ROAD and my healing is coming along at an amazing pace.

My goals are simple. I will continue to increase the duration of my hiking in the mountains, ride horses whenever I can (I moved and my Step Father has my horses long story), go swimming in the river daily and camp whenever possible! My spiritual goal is to pray for a spirit guide and live out the vision I received while on a vision quest, continue to practice meditating every day and incorporated the spiritual cleansing ceremonies taught to me by my ancestors. Trust in the Great Creator and thank Him for His Son my savior (look it up if you care to learn more on how God’s beloved son visited the Cherokee tribe as well as all natives). I will follow the medicine wheel path of life which if you are not familiar with that I will download a url in the future that explains it. As far as psychological healing goes that is hand in hand with the physical and spiritual once those are aligned then psychological healing comes. It is the belief of my ancestors that disharmony with the Great Creator is what causes all illness and so spiritual quest must be made before your entire being is well.

The meditation guide for this unit called The Crime of the Century was awesome. I am somewhat familiar with the idea of colored lights representing different things and corresponding with different chakras in some yoga practices so it was easy for me to relax to the meditation. I do not practice chakra healing or any type of Hindu belief but I am familiar with it. I have on many occasions seen different colored lights surrounding people but have not studied what they were supposed to mean. I just saw lights and knew that the Great Creator was healing that part of their body. I do not think all people that practice light study believe this way. I don’t study aurora readings or anything like that it is just a vision I see and that is all. This is so interesting to me however because the very first vision my oldest daughter was given or should I say sight into the supernatural was when the elders had been praying for me after I had a major trauma I passed out once they had laid their hands on me for healing and as I lay on the floor in a vision of healing my daughter started yelling very loudly mommy you are lit up like a Light Bright! She just kept saying that over and over. When I was able to respond to her I asked her what it was she saw. She said from every part of my body glowed a different colored beam of light. She said it was like I was a Light Bright game board. Funny description but because she saw the different lights she said she knew I had been healed. As we believe the Great Creator has 7 spirits of light that are His characteristics. Christians call it a rainbow over the throne of God we just call it colors of Love!

Creeper Trail River

This is where we swim everyday. Just haven't figured out how to add music to my home made slide show:)

Rest and relaxation

We go to the river to unwind and let the day melt away.  Swimming in the cool water the fish swimming around your feet and ducks floating by is such a healing experience.  When the sun begins to set we lay on the blanket under the trees and watch the birds fly back to their nests.  There are always beautiful hawks soaring over head and a few eagles soar.  I would love to share this place with you so I will enclose a few pictures.
Healing lights surround you all.
Blessings from our Great Creator,
Angel Running Deer

Unit 2 disc HW420 Journey on relaxation.

As I was listening to this particular audio I noticed several things.  One his voice is very calming but I prefer to not hear people talking when I am trying to relax.  It is strange but I feel like my meditation time is my own personal space time.  That being said I did listen closely to his instructions and found that I was thanking my body for doing what I asked it to do.  For example the speaker would suggest that we think about the blood circulating into our arms and a warming sensation would follow.  I did not experience that sensation but when I asked my body as opposed to just thinking about it I found that I could immediately visualize my blood circulating into that particular area.  I would call for the healing of my body as I did this exercise and a restoration of balance and that is when I noticed a peaceful balance come over my emotions.  I found myself thanking my blood, my body and my creator for the miracle that was taking place.  That is life force moving through my being.  I know the speaker did not mention these particular things occurring but once I started on this path of relaxation this is what I experienced.  My daughter came in after I was through with this session and offered me a cool glass of Lemon Balm tea and that was my icing on the cake of relaxation!

I am adding a URL here of my preferred relaxation music I hope you enjoy!  I like simple sounds, sounds of nature and the flute Native flute, Irish flute any flute.  Running water is a must for deep relaxation.l
Love and peace,
Angel Running Deer