Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at University of Arizona has a couple free courses for health practitioners and the general public. I learned of them at the academy portion of Fullscript’s website. (Fullscript Academy educational services) The free courses on the Fullscript site are for their participating health practitioners rather than being available to clients/patients.
An Introduction to Contemplative Care, instructors Koshin Paley Ellison and Chodo Campbell, (integrativemedicine.arizona.edu)
“The three basic ethics of Zen Buddhism
in the lineage of the Zen Peacemakers that we are a part of
are Not Knowing, Bearing Witness and Compassionate Action.
As caregivers or health practitioners, we can help people be comfortable within their own aging and changed body and their suffering. It is hard to be present around suffering. How can one’s own acceptance of change and suffering allow you to release those feelings before they settle into stress within your own self?
“To find wholesome states that have not yet arisen. If we are riddled with fear or some other kind of overwhelm, we can use effort to stop and wonder, "What is the part of me that is not afraid and overwhelmed?” (integrativemedicine.arizona.edu)
How can we respond with compassion to a patient who is in pain and irritable?
“The Five Contemplations are:
I am of the nature to age; there is no way to escape aging
I am of the nature to have ill health; there is no way to escape ill health
I am of the nature to die; there is no way to escape death
All that is dear to me, including my loved ones, are of the nature to change; there is no way to escape being separated from them
The concept of self-care is just called ‘care’ from the Zen perspective - care for ourselves is also care for our surroundings and others around us - That makes a lot of sense in light of the research showing that we exude stress chemicals onto our surroundings - spewing our unhealthy terrain on other people or pets or plants - who knows the repercussions of a bad mood? The one receiving the bad mood maybe?
“In recent years, there has been a good effort to focus on self-care. There are workshops, curriculum and books dedicated to this focus. From a contemplative or Zen view, there is no self-care, just care. If we are nourishing ourselves, this directly impacts our care offered to others. In taking care of what is present, our exhaustion, our anxieties, our fears, we take care of the others around us. This approach allows for the separation to dissolve. We are no longer in isolation, but we are a part of the vast interconnectedness that teaches us that one act of care impacts the whole.
In addition to helping health care professionals be more fully present to patients, Contemplative Care also supports care in what is often demanding and stressful work. For many health care professionals, balancing the personal and the professional is an ongoing struggle. A prolonged lack of balance can lead to feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and guilt. Learning communication skills, self-care, and mindfulness practices enables caregivers to know when they are in need of support themselves, methods to address those needs, and when to seek help.” (integrativemedicine.arizona.edu)
View and Intention are considered part of developing wisdom. Speech, Action, and Livelihood are about living with Ethical Conduct. Effort, mindfulness and Concentration are part of mental development for a student of Zen practice.
“A wonderful poet named Ikkyu wrote the verse after he lost his daughter:”
The dew drop world is the dew drop world. And yet… and yet?
The dew drop world is still magical, and yet, my father is no longer present to take photos of the magic. Fortunately others still do. Thank you.
Dew drops magnifying the surface of a leaf. Or are they tears from Mother Nature? Photo by Dan Carlson on Unsplash
“The four foundations of mindfulness practice are below with some questions to contemplate:
Contemplation of the body. Are you in your body when you are with your dying patient? How are they aware of their body in this moment? How do they experience sensation in their body? How does it change?
Contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral). Which feelings are arising? What is your response to them (repulsive, attractive, or neutral)? What feelings is your patient having and how are they responding to them (repulsive, attractive, or neutral)? What feelings are their loved ones having and how are they responding to them (repulsive, attractive, or neutral)?
Contemplation of the state of mind. How is your mind right now? Distracted? Calm? Busy? How is your patient and their loved ones minds? Ask.
Contemplation of the phenomena. How are you about your surroundings? How is your patient and their loved ones experiencing where they are?
We have found asking these questions can open up many doors to healing in the dying process.” (integrativemedicine.arizona.edu)
Something to think about:
“Getting old isn’t for sissies.” - Bette Davis
Life is a work in progress, and then we get to find out what’s next!
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use and it is not intended to provide individualized health care guidance.
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Vegans should try this butter alternative -
'I Can't Believe it's Not Buhhda!'. The bad fat alternative.. TM.
Thank you.