Meeting Asciepius

In the Meeting Asciepius exercise I appreciated that they allowed for an option to either think of a wise person or create your own. I did a little of both. It's difficult for me to think of someone I know, because as we are human we all have flaws, and I begin to focus on those flaws. A stranger is also difficult to use because there is no personal connection. I envisioned an older friend who is close to my heart, but I imagined her to have the mind and temperament of a monk that I have seen in a Japanese anime. This way I felt connected and at peace, and I believe that she felt the same.

I have noticed throughout this class that I am now more aware of what disheartens me mentally and spiritually. I am practicing changing these negative feelings into positives when they occur. I feel a little less physical pain in my body from taking time to relax more and maintaining an overall happy disposition.

I try to smile more at strangers.

The saying "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself" expresses the need to learn from personal experience. If we have not felt feelings of deep sadness and loss, how can we empathize with one who has recently experienced the death of a loved one? While empathy is a necessary quality to understanding; understanding is a necessary quality for healing. To help another requires understanding of the past, present, and future of their journey.

This is where a heath and wellness professional may enter. They must empathize and understand their patients in order to heal them. This being said, it is necessary that they continue to cultivate this understanding by developing their own health psychologically, physically, and spiritually. Loving kindness is an important quality to have as a healer. Having a clear head and heart will produce the best results for all parties involved. This development can grow from daily meditation and skillful practice of the subtle mind.