“One’s freedom lies in being free to fulfil the need of the moment, and to observe the necessity of the situation.”
Welcome to the Participants in the upcoming course.
I’d like to outline the process we will undertake over the three half days, in order for us to;
- check in with where we are,
- how we can know what is of value
- how we might give this priority.
On the first day of the Well-Being session we will explore the value we place on health and well-being and check-in with how this is being expressed in actual practice. We will explore this collectively, so that the group can be aware of the cross-section of perspectives.
From this discussion we will map our findings so that we can capture;
Understanding, Vision, and Goals
This will enable us to match this with actual Experiences that connect with our Understanding and Vision.
Our next step will be to consider the network that will be necessary in order for us to embody what we have said is of value.
Running parallel with our mapping process will be an exploration of the stages of Development using some different models, this will help us clarify the directionality of our own development and how to recognise opportunities and the ways we create avoidance. We will also investigate the causes and conditions of Adaptation and contrast our growth and development in the light of this understanding.
All days will contain practical activities which are essential in order for us to begin to trust and learn from direct experience.
Please find a clip outlining Robert Kegan’s Theory of Adult Development, which I hope you find useful for understanding the stage changes that take place as we develop through a life span.
Please also find some quotes from your application forms that capture the essence of what is possible in the upcoming training.
‘Push myself and others to achieve, while finding a balanced approach to work and life.”
“Excited, focussed and relaxed staff achieve the best results, especially when connected through common goals and understanding.”
“Challenges create opportunities.”
Overview of Day 1. 28/8/12
Hi Team,
In our first session we checked in authentically and we were pleased to find that we were ready to live the challenge. Not only ready, but ready to do it in style.
In our 3 word pool we found that we were calm, open, excited and relaxed. This led us outside to explore, and I was wrapt to see the ability and level of enquiry brought to moving. This shows me that this collective is capable of great things.
I gave you two timeless definitions of development from Robert Kegan.
1. All of development can be summed up as an ingenious blend of support to challenge.
2. Development is, when the subject at one level, becomes the object of the subject at the next.
I drew 2 models which clearly illustrated the opportunity inherent in understanding development. I hope you have taken some time to reflect on these descriptions and are beginning to plug them into your planning.
We conducted a Group Map using Health and Well-Being as our focus. We captured a Vision and matched actual Experiences in order to manifest the Vision. These 2 aspects of the map are a mirror to each other and represent Challenge (vertical, emergence, object) and Support (horizontal, ingredients, subject). The balance of the Vision/Experience is Network/Purpose. We investigated this material, and I hope you have been able to spend more time on this.
We finished by exploring the basis of breathing-stability and challenged our neuro-physiology by asking the diaphragm to work eccentrically.
In our next session on 18/9/12 we will re-visit our experience of the first session for clarity and insight. It is important that we are clear where we are (ingredients) and that we have the capacity to explore what we know is possible (emergence).
Optimal Nutrition
The following overview on Optimal Nutrition arises from a long term association with Tim Altman, Naturopath
As a species we have evolved over 6-7 million years, yet our dietary habits have only started to change over the last 10,000 years, since the agrarian age. The agrarian age introduced grains to the food chain, which dramatically introduced the concentration and volume of this type of nutrient. For most of this time we consumed whole grains, however since the advent of the industrial revolution and particularly over the last 100 years, we are eating increasingly refined, processed and synthetically manipulated foods.
Most of us over-consume or eat mostly carbohydrate rich foods, which the body converts into high levels of glucose for energy production in the cells. In response the pancreas produces high levels of insulin, which is used to transport this glucose to the cells for energy production.
Excessive production of insulin is termed hyperinsulinaemia and prolonged hyperinsulinaemia can result in the cells becoming insulin resistant. The cells do this to prevent more energy being produced than our body demands at that time. What this means over time, however, is that the cells, having become conditioned to being resistant to insulin, can no longer get the glucose they need for energy.
To eat optimally, it is recommended to eat low glycaemic load (GL) foods. The lower the GL, the lower the sugar content, and the better the food is for you. Benefits include;
- Improved energy levels
- Maintenance of healthy CV function
- Weight/fat loss
- Low GL foods keep you feeling fuller longer
Optimal Nutrition Guidelines
Eat 3 meals and 2 snacks per day
The ratio of nutrients consumed should be 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 30% fat. ie. 40:30:30 by calorific value.
This will keep blood sugar levels constant and the metabolism firing.
In order to effectively follow the guidelines, there are 7 simple steps.
- Eat a protein rich food with each meal or snack
- Enjoy a minimum of 3 cups of fresh vegetables daily
- Enjoy a minimum of 2 pieces or 1 cup of fruit daily
- Include starchy carbohydrates at no more than one or to small serves daily
- Include 1-2 handfuls of nuts and seeds and up to 2 tablespoons of healthy oils daily
- Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water daily and add up to 1 litre per hour of exercise
- Enjoy a freedom meal once per week
- Side Warrior ‘Guarding your Land’
- Side Warrior ‘Maintaining Presence”
The following quote on ‘Listening’ was shared with me by Performance Coach, Scott Barrow. Remember that we listened to this with the warm sun on our skin, with eyes closed and paying attention to the contact through our feet. It was a ‘timeless’ moment.
Listening
Listening is a rare happening among human beings.
You cannot listen to the word another is speaking if you are pre-occupied with your appearance or with impressing the other, or are trying to decide what you are going to say when the other stops talking, or are debating about whether or not what is being said is true or relevant or agreeable.
Such matters have their place, but only after listening to the word as the word is being uttered.
Listening is a primitive act of love in which a person gives himself to another’s word, making himself accessible and vulnerable to that word.
William Stringfellow A Keeper of the Word
