This can be used by and for individuals but is also very powerful in a “Transformative Living” pathway for corporations, organizations or groups of any kind, inclusive of families.
There is much theory and philosophy that is attached to this blog and this “New Paradigm”, and that should be the starting point for each and every reader.
Questions? Abound for our “new reality” or “new global community” … there always is a paradigm or mindset (group think) which we cannot ignore.
First some background and defining of topics:
Paradigm-essentially “a way of thinking”, ideology, a certain interpretation of “what is reality? “
Community- common cause for unity, a group that shares a common interest and should work together for the common good of all, while consideration of a geographical entity, community is really any group of people who see reason to join together…and work on projects or enhancement of the shared goals and interest of the group.
Group think- collective understanding of reality, when to majority of individuals of a group, think a certain way, this influences those less certain, in thinking and/or acting in the same way as the majority, beyond “majority rules” mentality, it is a certain power of persuasion of those powerful and influential voices to often, if not always, to be heard.
Cognitive Dissonance: a certain uncomfortable feeling one gets on an issue or behaviour that either the individual conforms to, or they simple choose not to believe a certain way (smoking, for example, as not being bad for you, has been a chosen belief of many a smoker).

Before I engage you in reflection of the theory and philosophy shared here, pause for a moment and then out loud (or in your head) state the following, with the intended emphasis on the capitalized words (or in the case of I, italicized)

WHY am I here?

Why AM I here?
Why am I here?
Why am I HERE?

Examining the emphasis on all four words of the same question, will bring a different answer perhaps…and the answer will differ with each and every reader, is my guess…my assumption.
We need to do that also, examine underlying assumptions that exist in each and every persons consciousness.
Further we need to explore and expand on the concept of consciousness, especially as we seek to define the term/concept of “collective consciousness”.
We then benefit when we explore concepts of “community development” and “collaboration” both of which take on new meaning when collectively examined under the context of “Global Collective Interests”… and attach that, with meaning, to the context of….universal consciousness.
Are we not “one”?
This question of  “are we not are all together?”, an “inseparable whole”, in a mutual existence on this planet…has been answered by many…who do we hold as the “authority”…the “expert” on “Wholeness” and/or the greater Global “good”.

We must define and explore ethics, morality, “goodness”, belief systems and Values. Sounds like we are going to proceed with “majoring” in “Humanities”…or even still, in human Spirituality.

You may consider yourself separate from all “others”, and you may deny the value or “belief” in spirituality, all the while that does not change the “global” or collective consciousness, that suggests most on the planet are practicing or seeking greater spirituality…as this text is being read by you (you likely are a seeker…or were drawn to this book because it speaks of and to spiritual matters.

Let’s dissect the “whole” of the human, shall we, as if in a introductory high school biology class.

What is Wholeness?

What is Wellness?

What is Spirituality?

Again the question WHY AM I HERE? (emphasis on the “whole” question…intended)

Would not the context of “wellness” of the organism, include wholeness, of the organism?
Would not the question of spirituality not be addressed, as we speak of “wholeness” or “wellness”, of the organism?

So let us begin there (the foundation lets say) before we build on the framework of this theory (or this philosophy if you rather). Let us define paradigm…in context of “group think” (or collective consciousness if you rather)…and let us further define Wellness. Does not it bring comfort to think in terms that the entire planet…and all organisms…are capable in achieving “wellness”.

Thoughts turn to terms such as balance and harmony, love and peace, happiness and success as we turn “inward” for appreciation of the Term…wellness.

I offer this: Wellness is inclusive of the contexts; Wholeness, Healing , Health and Wellbeing.
Further defining “wholeness”, I give you this simple ( and easy to relate to for most)…that wholeness, is more easily “felt” or attained when with and connected through love, with family members. Child to parents, children to siblings and Parents to all children (and their parents). Cognitive Dissonance theory supports that we can be “alienated” and/or “estranged” from a family member is there is a difference in values, morals, belief systems or conduct…and reconcile that a “family member” can be “dead” to them, if indeed, they need to feel separate from those beliefs and behaviours that one feels uncomfortable about…or appalled.

The question would then have to be answered…can one feel “whole” even though not seeing, speaking with…or in an way or terms of “loving” one’s family. Some would say no…others may debate that “wholeness” is a way of “being”…and one can be whole…without any family whatsoever…or without having strong, positive or loving relationships with family members. The answer to this question is yours for the choosing.

Further, as we expand on the context of wholeness….and what we can illuminate/expand on…as an inter-relational domain of wholeness, please find in this simplistic offering of how to “conceptualize” all of this theory in its entirety, know that you define all contexts with each and every “domain” that is offered. I have given you the contexts of : wholeness, healing, health and well-being, I now give you the domains in which to build a “framework” on the foundation of “contexts”.
To help conceptualize…think of these for contexts as the four cornerstones or “pillars” for the frameworks. Out of each side of this “box” concept…think “”beyond the box” to appreciate that there are eight elements (domains) in which all four walls are built.
This is theoretical thinking…this conceptualization (from engineering or mechanical paradigms) while philosophical…we will build not something of content…but something metaphysical, metaphorical and purely speculative (while some will say) intuitive.
So here are the eight elements…physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, inter-relational, cultural and ecological.
One may recognize that I have borrowed from the World Health Organizations concept of health (the first five domains) while I expanded on what “inter-relational” context of wholeness might mean. Other “strong” representations in this time in history, and in a “global” community, we need to also examine the frameworks under the light of “cultural” and “ecological” realities.

War and civil unrest, have been with us since human kind began to “nomadically” go in search of survival, sustainance and later success, in acquisition of wealth. Now remember, acquisition of wealth in a “western” context went from “fishing, forestry…to beaver pelts, gold and minerals to most recent…”carbon” sources…coal and petroleum aka “oil and gas”…fuel and energy…gas for our cars, lights and heat for our homes.

While the “beaver pelt” industry has been Extinct (or is it)…we still see the exploitation of natural resources, …the poor (women and children) all for the greed and profit of someone around this globe.

Technology has certainly been a big part of the “change” we have seen in our waistlines, wallets and ways of communication with each other…but we cannot escape the realities of “group think” and our dealings with cognitive dissonance. Many around the world are losing their childhood, some their lives…all due to a “collective consciousness” deficit. The deficit is in a Moral and Ethical (and/or Spiritual) domain…one that impacts the four pillars collectively that brings injustice and destined failure of the “collective” organism we can humankind.

So, try this…contemplate or reflect (meditate the best way you have come to know)…on the spiritual domain…as we expand on the Wholeness paradigm.
Now reflect on spiritual aspects of the Healing concepts that exist in the world as a whole (as a Westernized health care Professional, you will need to humbly, expand your paradigm…looking at what “the other” believes in, or practices).
Now expand on Health, and spirituality…similar to healing, but more or a “maintenance” context and “prevention” (think health promotion) think having one class of wine promotes health while two (and relations with others…or driving an automobile…and there is impairment and danger…which gets worse with more and more “drinking”.
Applying the context of “well-being” and spirituality is “a given” for billions on the planet….while it is a “dark” spirituality” that, if in control of a situation, will lead to suffering…and we know there are billions who are suffering, even though they are spiritual beings having a human experience. Think of the exploited children and women and the exploitation and “war” that exists over precious and depleting resources. The ultimate success of the planet, as a collective consciousness…is only possible with a strong emphasis and inclusion of the “spiritual” domain….for all peoples, and creatures…in all the eight domains.
I encourage all of you to begin a “reflective” or contemplative meditation practice as we will now expand on the frameworks of the Ecological Domain…and how we can build on the foundations of wholeness, healing, Health and Well-being.
Begin to contemplate what comes to mind as we speak of water….wholeness, healing, health and well-being.

Begin the inner dialogue that is necessary as we examine (ecological impact and ecological solutions) of Western Medicine.
Reflect on the Pharmaceutical Industry (much of today’s medicines from plant sources, but as extracts, synthetic product is introduced as fillers and to “hold” (encapsulate) for ease of swallowing….and so it is no longer “natural”. There is good and bad that has come of medicines…more bad when more combinations are the new reality…and testing does not happen with more combinations. Assumptions of safety are being dispelled more and more each year, while the consequences for an older population is lost liver and/or kidney function….for far too many lost function or lost years of quality of life or life itself.
The supplement industry presents a growing threat also, since testing is not mandated….and the multiple combinations especially in the presence of pharmaceuticals….nutra-ceuticals….as well, the greater the “cocktail”…the greater the risk. The kidney, as incredible a filter as it is, is being onslaughted into dysfunction, disease and death

From another angle…one can examine the “ecological footprint” of the modern Health Care system. The success story is still pending as to whether medicine and hospitals are not causing as much harm as good. Since many health care products are not biodegradable, many of them made from petroleum products….their ecological footprint is HUGE. Ecological degradation is natural consequence, while more “incurable” super-bugs are manifested in health care institutions than anywhere on earth. A Pandemic will equal disaster…it is a matter of when…the system cannot handle what emergencies, surgeries, treatment and diagnostic need we see now…how will it cope with another SARS or beyond.

The fact that “Medical Treatment” is the 3rd leading cause of death should bring public intervention and “change” in the way we live our lives and deliver “health care”…we have yet to reconcile that what is provided is “sick-care”. Health care is happening in homes and schools and some work-places. Prevention and health promotion is the real solution to shortages of Health Care personnel. Decrease the need for nurses and doctors….that should be the only “best-practice” solution…in face of the aging population.

Home care…or any approach to bring the most appropriate care, in the most appropriate place, in the most appropriate time, by the most appropriate provider…that is the only mantra, that brings reasonable, affordable solutions for all populations in our global community.

Appropriate technology, needs to be more than a buzzword. Why do we not have an electronic medical record in the year 2008?

Why is it that MRI…with a price-tag of millions of dollars, fronts the debate, when “self-care” and all the health promoting benefits (prevention)…saves billions.

Reconcile this, that there are opposing forces, while we should not think in terms of there being Left or Right…but rather, there exists as “truth” a left and a right. It is Yin and Yang…not Yin or Yang…in terms of conceptualizing…this being difficult for the Western thinker, because we were raised in an educational system and a family unit where “duality” was upheld as the source of truth. We may define as listening to Mom or Dad, but we know in our hearts it was a balance of influence from mom and dad (whether good, bad or indifferent).

To find balance, we would ask that you can reconcile that there is not one reality…and that your’s is not the only truth…there is a collective consciousness (of which you are a part of). While we must overcome (or silence) the ego, in order to experience truth…we must be open to the “truth” of the other. Further we must be emancipated from the need to be right and capture the sense that it is about Your truth and My Truth (or the truth of the other in all your relationships. It is very much like mutual respect and negotiating a “shared truth” for the sake of attaining harmony…and thus balance in your universe.

The struggles we see in society and the chaos of the planet all stems from some collective consciousness feeling the need to be superior to or dominate another. This is what the “war mind set” is about in which is included in Eckhart Tolle’s, A New Earth. We recognize that nationalism and to an even greater extent religion has perpetuated the “war mind set”….collective consciousness attached to religious ideologies that promote “superiority” over the “inferior” other…had lead to the developments and proliferation of militaries and warfare…this cannot be denied…it should not be ignored. There have been significant consequences from the promotion of ideologies of “supremecy” and Right vs Wrong…never moreso in history, then in the last century.
This continues to perpetuate and imbalance in power…the propensity toward the use of force to subdue the other…in many cases inihilation. Recent enactment of unfair, unjust and unethical changes to policies of militaries, are now exposing persons and governments for what they really are…perpetrators of greed, injustice and abuse of power…see the movie “Stop-Loss” for a sense of the injustice that comes from Force vs Power.

This is but a small representation of the theory I have included elsewhere….search for “Power, Oppression, Discrimination, and Competition”. Further to the abuse of power is inclusive of exploitation, marginalization and victimization. BE a powerful force for transformation and positive change. Seek the power that is within…and we will all strike that all important “balance” in our lives, collectively.
May we find peace, internally and externally, in our world,

Dave

I had just finish a post to my personal blog…the one for family and friends (or you may consider yourself family or friend if you choose to re-visit this blog and what it may mean to you)…the post was about spiritual “truth” that each individual has…as a collective how they interpret their world, often in the presence and influence of two parents. What we in the West have come to conceptualize through the  “dualism” sciences and religious teaching that separate out , us from God, or Universal Energy…or Life Force ….however you may interpret…there is no separation… there is no duality. We have gathered our information from sources of education, reading or teachers and parents and we have seen ourselves, as separate from these sources…seperating our external from our internal.

What will happen in our awakening, our enlightenment or our realization of universal consciousness, is for us to see that it is not light or dark, left or right, yin or yang…there is light and dark in the world, there is left and right…there is Yin and Yang….and we …since we have two sources of our being and our essence…two parents….we are both our mother and our father. For those that have been “fatherless’ Children…or “motherless” children…we are still an essence of their absence…or the impact of their absence in our lives. If adopted…their is not your birth mother or your adopted mother…there is the reality of there having been a birth mother and one’s adoptive mother.  While being a “mother-less” child…it would  be a ridiculous notion that she  (my mother), does not  continue this  day, influence  how  I am turning out.  It was my mother’s  way of being, her  essence…being a  Sunday  School teacher…every  Sunday,  we children were in church  with her….and we accommadated in differing ways the teaching of the church about Jesus.

There was never any mention of the Buddha, in Sunday School…no mention from my mother that such a person, his teaching and his way of living…even existed. At the time, and in my reality as a child, there was not a Buddha….when in fact there was (and millions around the globe as followers). As I transitioned from a place of personal self-destruction and self-pity when my mother died (age 14)…and into another church and different “brand” of Christianity…it was part of the promotion of doctrine…of this church that Buddha did in fact exist, but it was “evil” or “anti-christian” to believe, follow or read about his teachings.

So, there has had to be some “reconciling” of beliefs, from when I was extremely religious, indoctrinated in the “ONLY” way to salvation, heaven or belief system was exclusive to the teachings of Jesus. Other doctrinal aspects, (including songs we would sing in the Gospel Groups of which I toured and sang in) was that Buddha did not exit…that his story…his “truth” was a myth. I have since “reconciled” that there was a great teacher who they named “The Buddha” (one of many before as the story goes)…the “enlightened one” did share “his truth” with the world. So for me there is not Buddha or Jesus…it is The Buddha and Jesus…and Mahatma Ghandi….and Oprah and Eckart Tolle…and….

So this “awakening”, this enlightenment…this coming to BE, in the moment…in the now…in the present…and discovering and practicing “mindfulness”… it is “all good”

Namaste,

BE wise and BE well,

Dave

While I do encourage all to include, reflection, prayer and/or meditation to their daily lives, and while Yoga in its many expressions and realizations is not currently something that interests you, at this moment, I do strongly, adamantly suggest you get into reading this phenomenal author. The Power of Now is also one of his books, while A New Earth is recently released and promoted nearly everywhere, Eckhart Tolle, the author has teamed up with Oprah…and I feel very strongly to endorse and promote the book as “Transformational” on many levels.

So I leave you with this link and you can check it out…or at any bookstore that promotes “Oprah’s Book Club”…you can find it there.

click here

see here

and here

last click here

While on this journey I trust you will discover there are many roads to emancipation, enlightenment and ultimately optimal empowerment. As I have shared in my theories and the philosophies of the “E factor”, clearly much of this liberation and growth will come from reading and education. It can also come from ones engagement in lives of others. The way that we define others is inclusive of all other species on the planet. I believe we are learning much from nature these days, our pets are one thing, domesticated and often obedient, while those of “the wild” we are being shown some very valuable lessons also. In just a quick reference to even the tiniest of creature we are seeing emergence of drug-resistant strains of bacterium, seemingly new viruses (bird-flu) as well as critters such as the different types of beetles that are devastating our forests (think of British Columbia and the Pine Forest) and in “my neck of the woods” (pardon the pun) the emerald ash borer. I could mention what could soon be the expansion of coverage of malaria laden mosquitoes, but that for now is speculation (although serious speculation, serious consequences).

Why have I brought the attention to some “negative” possibilities for a “new reality” emerging…on the planetary scale? I just want to reflect on the natural world and how we do have some “canaries in the coal mine” of our ecological realities…and suggest we “ramp up” our education and engagement with others in spiritual terms. So I plan to give you (over time) the list of books that I have read that I highly recommend could contribute to personal transformation, personal growth and development. I have confessed elsewhere in my blogs that I often am reading 10 or more books at a time and can take months to finish a book in its entirety, often re-reading chapters…or randomly picking up the book, reading a paragraph, Chapter or more and spend contemplative minutes to hours, drawing insight, strength or theory from this approach. This is after all pretty much how this and the many other blogs came to be.

So starting off (if there is any better way to start off) anything and everything Wayne Dyer has written will likely strike resonance for most on this planet, so choose any, while my two favourites are Pull your own Strings, and Manifest your destiny.

Eat, Love and Pray will be a good choice, I think whether man or woman…but likely an audience over 21.

click here and review what is one of the most inspiring books and e-casts available

In keeping with the theme of keeping things simple, treat this as though it were from the same stream of approach as “Yoga for Dummies” and/or “Idiots Guide to Traditional Chinese Medicine, etc.
As a disclaimer, for the most part I see myself as a student of the Eastern Arts and Philosophies and have integrated them into my thinking and understanding of Health and Wellness. Wellness is such a subjective term and experience. By the very nature of wellness being a personal experience, neither I nor any other teacher or health care professional will hold all the answers for everyone in terms of how to “live well”.

Since I am providing information and thought provoking theory and philosophy, but not “assessing” or “examining” you, I can by no means diagnose and treat. If you do have a medical condition you should seek the care of a Physician and Nurse Practitioner. Further, a second opinion is always best, as is seeing a “specialist” regarding and “specific” health concern. This is not advice…just information…it may or may not be relevant to your situation.

So what is “Wellness Skool”…

If I could turn the K around in skool…I certainly would…and yes I do know how school is spelled. I would like this to be somewhat entertaining and easy to follow just like the “Dummie” books provide. I have often relied on them much and often in my quest of knowledge and yes…I have read (and underlined and reference from) “yoga for Dummies”…I thought is was quite good for beginning seekers.

Now besides learning about Yoga and Traditional Chinese Medicine, what else might you “learn about” (in other words I am teaching about yoga and TCM)…not teaching them through the Wellness Skool…I will find someone more qualified when the course content were to broaden or deepen and is otherwise beyond my scope of qualification.

You will learn introduction to Wholeness, Healing, Health and Well-being. These are the “integrated concepts of wellness” according to the Wellness Skool. The domains that apply to all of these concepts will be Physical, Emotional, Spiritual, Ecological, Inter-relational, Cultural, Social and Intellectual Domains.

In building the “curriculum” for the Wellness Skool…it will be directed by the interests of the majority of those enrolling after the introductory prerequisite course “Introduction to Wellness Concepts”. There will also be a stream for Health Care Professionals…one that will include more scientific terms used such as anatomy and physiology, neurology and immunology in greater depth. Of course a working knowledge of these terms can be demonstrated by the lay person for inclusion in the course offered to health professionals.

We are going to advocate for the greater integration and inclusion and collaboration of all in the integrative health sciences field. There is an encouragement of physicians, nurses, physio, learning along with and being taught by Chiropractic, Naturpathic, Osteopathic and Massage Therapy professionals. The content will contain inclusion and encourage thoughtful and respectful discussion. There will only be a spirit of good intention admitted into the Wellness Skool.

For more information return here or contact through davescratch.com

BE well,

Dave

We seek to quiet the mind…and find resilience against the “busy”-ness of life. In the quest for a respite haven, we have but to sense the power of our within. Laying down our expectations of a higher attainment of fulfillment of roles, we surrender to the  peace that lies within.  Again, it is from within in which we find the solace of the soul…the passive reminder of all things possible to the contemplative mind. Mindfulness can come…we but surrender to the context of the void beyond the world behind the eyes. What sweet bliss is this…the quieted mind…the peaceful soul and the blanket of calm…that is…this stillness.

Ahhhh, the blanket of crimson and gold about my feet, with wisping sound, I move with deliberation down to the river. I meet up with the ducks, to whom I have communed before. They are there for the ease of feeding, I with intent to nurture my soul. The light cool wind meets the sweat of my brow, while my body feels warmed by the movement as I transition into a Yoga salutation. To salute the sun if more than a ritual, or catch phrase for the new age athlete, but rather, an internal “Namaste”…as I feel its presence…the warming of my flesh.

Transcendence of the disappointment of anything in which I cannot change. If in recent weeks there has been more struggle than usual, then I will grow that much more. We should not be eager to lay blame on others and claim a victim mentality, that remains as the most dis-empowering of mind-sets. Embrace the differences in others, noting that variety is the spice of life. Find “the moment” and embrace all that it is. Let silence purify your heart and mind and quench the burning urge to add something else to your life’s “list of things to do”.

Be warmed by the reassurance that others have been where you are now and that you to can transcend all that life may bring. Let your breath be the focus of a new peaceful inner reality. Command the thought centre…emancipate your mind. Enlightenment can only come to those who have such inner freedom and liberty from the cares of the world. Empowerment will come, as will resilience when one practices the inner journey.

BE emancipated, BE enlightened, BE empowered,

Dave

I pass this along to you…most often this has been reserved for moments of sharing my “contemplative exercises” with friends, family or clients. I think you should have tea-cup in hand…or to cup your hands in front of you as if you will be dipping them into a cool pool of fresh water for drinking.

Water is often used in symbolizing potential…it is flexible…in taking many forms.
While bending and yielding to rock and stone and “babbling” along its way in the representation of a “brook” we also can sense its power as it has carved out great gorges over time and , its power can be sensed with any visit to Niagra Falls.

Begin with the image of a tea cup…say one that you may have been provided at any Asian restaurant. Now lets say it is ceramic, not too different than a bowl for soup…smaller, and with no handle, like “english” tea cups. You sprinkle some ground tea leaves in the bottom of the cup…that last “ingredient” to add…is the “hot water”…wait for the “steeping” to occur…and you have tea.

Now reflect on not just “the process” of making tea…but on the “potential” to have tea…it take hot water…as this is how you prefer your tea, while the hot of the water…is required for the “steeping”.

The tea leaves themselves are required or you get “just hot water”….but what else is required…of course, the cup…the “containment” of the water and the tea leaves…or else it would just be tea leaves washed away by hot water…and no means to enjoy the beverage…or the ambiance created while drinking your tea…rather, you would be cleaning up your mess.

So, the cup represents the “containment” of all that is possible. You add tea leaves and hot water to make tea…but it is that potential as a container…that makes the cup…a tea cup. Is it the ceramic, is it the “sides” of the cup in its’ upright position (certainly a tea cup-upside down…cannot hold tea)…it is the invisible potential…”the space” that the tea would occupy…and again only if it is in a position of being a receptacle…not upside down….but rather “right-side up”.

Is your potential evident…are you in the “right” position…to be a receptacle…a containment device…a “keeper of the potential” or just an empty “shell” of a person. Without following the right path…the right way…the right protocol (having all that it takes)…we cannot be a vessel of love. We cannot have anything positive “steep” within us. We want to have more than just the potential…we like to see actions of nature occur within us…for others to appreciate our value.

So as the tea steeps…think of how you got to this point in time in your life…have you been looking for something more…do you wish to be more than just “empty” of feelings, “empty” of empathy, love or compassion…or would you like to share with others…your deepest potential.

Consider if you wish to be (or are) in a helping profession…this could be nurse, personal support worker, social worker, PT/OT, physician, psychologist, counselor, therapist, teacher, coach…or administrative leader, over others that are potentially helping and healing others…what is your legacy?

Are you reaching your fullest potential,…are your actions conducive to the “upright” ways of living? Will you allow for further…and continued “steeping” with education, learning and collaborating with others to share the best outcomes…to impact others in only positive and optimal ways.

I leave this here to reflect on…do choose to see your potential…enjoy the ritual and that cup of tea, in which you should never look at the same way, again.

BE inspired, and inspiring…BE someone’s “cup of tea”, steeped in love, acceptance…forgiveness,

BE well,

Dave