For all my classmates and others following my blog;
I have been finally scheduled for an MRI, due to having two slipped discs in my back. Because this happened in 2005 in Scotland, we have been unable to get hold of the MRI/pain management data from there, so I had to start the whole process all over again. I just finished the physical therapy process, and my doctor put in for me to get an MRI, but there was concern as to whether or not I would get it, because I am on AHCCCS insurance. Well, I had the MRI this morning, and was told it would be 24-48 hours to hear from my doctor about the MRI. Well, my doctor's office call me about two hours later, to schedule an appointment for tomorrow morning!
Now after almost 6 years of this pain, with two hernia operations in the mix (Scotland did an unheard of process hernia op that doctors here had to fix - certainly explained the additional pain I had been having!), there may be hope that something can be done to get me away from having to take handfuls of pills every 6 hours, each day. I am hopeful, and would ask that anyone able would help the Universe bring me the long-time-so-looked-for solution, with prayers, candles, burning sage, or whatever small thing you might do to encourage a good outcome, would be greatly appreciated. Until this is solved, however, I am pretty laid up, not being able to do much since I have recently had a flare-up off bad spasms and severe nerve pain up and down my right side, so my ability to blog may be a bit off schedule. Bear with me, and I am sure all will be well in the end. Namaste'.
P.S. I have really enjoyed reading all of your comments to my blog, and I am glad to be in this class with all of you, too! Cheers, and keep 'em coming!
Chris
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Crime of the Century meditation
OK, I have to admit, I was a little confused by the title of the meditation, and the actual exercise. This guy was running us through a basic chakra meditation, on which I have done extensive studying over the years, compiling many different chakra workings into a little pamphlet. If anything, "The Crime of the Century" is that many people do not know that we are made of 'white light', which, when refracted through a prism, or a crystal, divides itself into the rainbow we see. I followed the meditation with a light-hearted attitude, knowing right off the bat what the guide was doing - I even went and got out my little chakra pamphlet, and followed along with his musings.
As for the assignment on this blog, I have the following answers and ratings:
A - physical well-being - 4; Goal - lose weight, and get slipped discs in back healed. How I will accomplish this - go for walks.
B - spiritual well-being - 8; Goal - return to practices that I have ignored. This will be done by continuing to live my beliefs, and do more of it.
C - psychological well-being - 7; Goal - to release old patterns, and embrace new ones. I will do this by allowing myself to accept a loving partner, and not be afraid that my past relationships will be a template for this one.
I have always been a very spiritual person, and I practice psychology all the time; talking with friends and family, helping them to see the reasons behind their actions, and helping them realize they have great potentials that they aren't tapping into. I also "people watch" every chance I get. I don't know why, I just love imagining who they are, what their lives are like, and what they are thinking. My mind is aware that there is more to this "reality" than meets the eye; I'd like to think that I am very aware of my spirit, and I listen to it's voice. I have developed a strong intuition, and this helps me in dealing with day-to-day life, as well as extraordinary situations. Yes, I give knowing winks to little children, I talk to plants, animals, and my relations who have passed on - who knows where wisdom will come from! I hope that others who have done this exercise will come away from it with the knowledge that we are indeed, white light refracted in this mortal flesh.
As for the assignment on this blog, I have the following answers and ratings:
A - physical well-being - 4; Goal - lose weight, and get slipped discs in back healed. How I will accomplish this - go for walks.
B - spiritual well-being - 8; Goal - return to practices that I have ignored. This will be done by continuing to live my beliefs, and do more of it.
C - psychological well-being - 7; Goal - to release old patterns, and embrace new ones. I will do this by allowing myself to accept a loving partner, and not be afraid that my past relationships will be a template for this one.
I have always been a very spiritual person, and I practice psychology all the time; talking with friends and family, helping them to see the reasons behind their actions, and helping them realize they have great potentials that they aren't tapping into. I also "people watch" every chance I get. I don't know why, I just love imagining who they are, what their lives are like, and what they are thinking. My mind is aware that there is more to this "reality" than meets the eye; I'd like to think that I am very aware of my spirit, and I listen to it's voice. I have developed a strong intuition, and this helps me in dealing with day-to-day life, as well as extraordinary situations. Yes, I give knowing winks to little children, I talk to plants, animals, and my relations who have passed on - who knows where wisdom will come from! I hope that others who have done this exercise will come away from it with the knowledge that we are indeed, white light refracted in this mortal flesh.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Relaxation practice
The timing of this assignment couldn't have been better for me. I had just spent four hours in the Arizona sun (about 105-107 degrees), with my son, helping a friend of ours work on his girlfriend's car. We didn't get it back to running properly, and were all flushed and sore and tired - although we had made sure to be drinking the water and some Gatorade, of course. We were frustrated that the work we had done did not fix the problem, and our friend decided to knock off for the day, and try again early tomorrow, since the noon sun was up, and it was just too hot to be out working on the car, on the hot concrete, with hot tools. We said goodbye to my friend, and came home; my son jumped in the shower, and I got the grease off of my hands, and grabbed a cold drink, and set down at the computer to check into school.
I listened to the relaxation exercise, performing all that the voice told me, and did indeed, find my arms and hands heavier, and definitely more relaxed. When the session was over, I brought this relaxed energy here, and began to blog about the experience. I have done guided meditations before, both as the leader, and as a practitioner. I really think the universe saw that I was tense, because, as I said, the timing of this was perfect. Now, I am relaxed and energized, and after checking all of my schoolwork, I will be going for a nice swim in the pool. Here's hoping everyone had a great experience with this assignment. Cheers!
I listened to the relaxation exercise, performing all that the voice told me, and did indeed, find my arms and hands heavier, and definitely more relaxed. When the session was over, I brought this relaxed energy here, and began to blog about the experience. I have done guided meditations before, both as the leader, and as a practitioner. I really think the universe saw that I was tense, because, as I said, the timing of this was perfect. Now, I am relaxed and energized, and after checking all of my schoolwork, I will be going for a nice swim in the pool. Here's hoping everyone had a great experience with this assignment. Cheers!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Integral psychology reading
Today's reading left me thinking of a lot of things. Inner and outer medicine, or focus of healing, reminded me of the philosophical mantra, "As Above, So Below", the constant quote of the Rosicrucians, many Hermetic Societies, and the Golden Dawn. This applies to the concept that we, in these human bodies, are the microcosm, which reflects and is reflected by the Universe, which is the Macrocosm. In short, if we are hurting, the universe it hurting; if we are holistically healthy, we reflect that healthy perspective onto our subjective reality which, when shared, becomes the collective's reality.
I read for a couple of hours, and went for a swim. In the wonderful triple-digit heat we so enjoy here in the Arizona desert, surrounded by crystal clear water in my backyard pool, I was contemplating and absorbing the information I had just read. While this information was not new to me by any stretch, each time we encounter something similar, we do this to gain a new perspective, a new understanding of the 'thing'; today's 'newness' was that in order for me to exist in a calm, healthy manner, I must project that inside and out. To wit; I have two slipped/bulging discs in may back, and have had two hernia surgeries, all due to my life of Service to Others. I worked as a personal carer for a man in Scotland, he requested many a "lift and wee shuggle (wiggle sideways)", which in effect, played havoc on my inner core structure. Now I see pain managers, go through physical therapy, and take handfuls of pills - all things I would wish not to have to do. If I can take these lessons we are currently reading to heart, and to task, I should be able to find a place I can exist in, without needing to recognize this pain in such "Western" ways. I want this. I have a severe dislike for taking pills; pills which only cover up the symptoms, and don't actually do any healing.
I have the understanding of the metaphysical, having studied these concepts for many years. I have the discipline, having developed and practiced mediation and the 'stilling' of my mind; I was a Marine, so I know that my body will do what my mind tells it; I have walked in Divine shoes, across dimensions that many humans could not even acknowledge existing. So, I can do this - I can add the focus of living without pain into my meditations, and my learning in this class. I think I will, and I think I will continue to update my progress in this endeavor, here, in this blog. So Mote It Be.
I read for a couple of hours, and went for a swim. In the wonderful triple-digit heat we so enjoy here in the Arizona desert, surrounded by crystal clear water in my backyard pool, I was contemplating and absorbing the information I had just read. While this information was not new to me by any stretch, each time we encounter something similar, we do this to gain a new perspective, a new understanding of the 'thing'; today's 'newness' was that in order for me to exist in a calm, healthy manner, I must project that inside and out. To wit; I have two slipped/bulging discs in may back, and have had two hernia surgeries, all due to my life of Service to Others. I worked as a personal carer for a man in Scotland, he requested many a "lift and wee shuggle (wiggle sideways)", which in effect, played havoc on my inner core structure. Now I see pain managers, go through physical therapy, and take handfuls of pills - all things I would wish not to have to do. If I can take these lessons we are currently reading to heart, and to task, I should be able to find a place I can exist in, without needing to recognize this pain in such "Western" ways. I want this. I have a severe dislike for taking pills; pills which only cover up the symptoms, and don't actually do any healing.
I have the understanding of the metaphysical, having studied these concepts for many years. I have the discipline, having developed and practiced mediation and the 'stilling' of my mind; I was a Marine, so I know that my body will do what my mind tells it; I have walked in Divine shoes, across dimensions that many humans could not even acknowledge existing. So, I can do this - I can add the focus of living without pain into my meditations, and my learning in this class. I think I will, and I think I will continue to update my progress in this endeavor, here, in this blog. So Mote It Be.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
First Entry
Hello Folks!
This blog was designed for a college course, Creating Wellness - Psychology and Spiritual Aspects of Healing, taught at Kaplan university. Now, since most of those that I know I will be sharing this information with are at first, my fellow classmates in this course. I may open this blog up to personal friends of mine, and use it as another method of conveying my thoughts and such.
I am Chris Keenen, age (almost) 45; I live in Mesa, Arizona with my finace' and her two kids; I have a daughter, Zen, who will be 21 this year, who if married and lives with her Sailor, also named Chris. I am a member of my local American Legion, having been in the United States Marine Corps in my youth; I am also a Legion rider, which is a subgroup of Legionnaires who ride motorcycles. We do rides for charity groups, rides to foster community awareness, and sometimes, we just have a scoot for fun. My Rider name is Wolfman - we'll get back to that!
I have a long history of being interested in alternative religions, different methods of worship and spirituality, and have always had a deep and abiding reverence for Nature. In my circle of family and friends, I am known as the Shaman - yes, I said Shaman. I make herbal medicines, I help people find lost bits of their souls (spiritual healing), and am very in tune with animals of all sorts. I have a pack of 5 different rescue dogs, and am definitely their Alpha (see, Wolfman, it fits); it is always interesting to newcomers to my circle to see me communicate with my animals as if I was talking to another human being. I have studied psychology for many years, alongside of my study of religions and alternate spiritualities. My bookshelves are loaded with books such as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Nag Hammadi Scrolls, and the Magician's Dictionary, to mention a few. I have been a Mormon Priest, studied the Southern Baptist ways, and delved a bit into Judaism and Catholicism - I now classify myself as very spiritual, but I do not subscribe to any one's religion. My belief is that your relationship with the Divine is unique; organized religion is someone else's word, someone else's experience, and what works for them may not necessarily work for you.
I love to grow things, and have managed to have a garden wherever I have lived - be it Kilmarnock, Scotland, or the deserts of Arizona, or even a very small corner of the walk outside my apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska. Growing things for me, is like going to church - well, in fact, anything to do with nature is church for me. I follow the Old Ways, marking the turnings of the moon and the seasons with ceremonies and rituals. I am always willing to discuss my beliefs with anyone who has an open mind - I don't get dragged into dogmatic discussions with folks who tell me I'm damned and am going to hell. In my belief system, I came from a better place (which they can call Heaven, if they wish), and my Spirit is here once again, inhabiting this mortal coil, undergoing the trials and tribulations of being in a body that grows old and dies (which I can relate to their Hell, if so provoked).
I hope that this blog will be a great platform for discussions with my classmates - I am very excited to see others' blogs. We will be sharing our blog URLs next week, and so I'll leave off with a hope that there will be lots of interesting things to read and discuss, with my fellow students.
This blog was designed for a college course, Creating Wellness - Psychology and Spiritual Aspects of Healing, taught at Kaplan university. Now, since most of those that I know I will be sharing this information with are at first, my fellow classmates in this course. I may open this blog up to personal friends of mine, and use it as another method of conveying my thoughts and such.
I am Chris Keenen, age (almost) 45; I live in Mesa, Arizona with my finace' and her two kids; I have a daughter, Zen, who will be 21 this year, who if married and lives with her Sailor, also named Chris. I am a member of my local American Legion, having been in the United States Marine Corps in my youth; I am also a Legion rider, which is a subgroup of Legionnaires who ride motorcycles. We do rides for charity groups, rides to foster community awareness, and sometimes, we just have a scoot for fun. My Rider name is Wolfman - we'll get back to that!
I have a long history of being interested in alternative religions, different methods of worship and spirituality, and have always had a deep and abiding reverence for Nature. In my circle of family and friends, I am known as the Shaman - yes, I said Shaman. I make herbal medicines, I help people find lost bits of their souls (spiritual healing), and am very in tune with animals of all sorts. I have a pack of 5 different rescue dogs, and am definitely their Alpha (see, Wolfman, it fits); it is always interesting to newcomers to my circle to see me communicate with my animals as if I was talking to another human being. I have studied psychology for many years, alongside of my study of religions and alternate spiritualities. My bookshelves are loaded with books such as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Nag Hammadi Scrolls, and the Magician's Dictionary, to mention a few. I have been a Mormon Priest, studied the Southern Baptist ways, and delved a bit into Judaism and Catholicism - I now classify myself as very spiritual, but I do not subscribe to any one's religion. My belief is that your relationship with the Divine is unique; organized religion is someone else's word, someone else's experience, and what works for them may not necessarily work for you.
I love to grow things, and have managed to have a garden wherever I have lived - be it Kilmarnock, Scotland, or the deserts of Arizona, or even a very small corner of the walk outside my apartment in Lincoln, Nebraska. Growing things for me, is like going to church - well, in fact, anything to do with nature is church for me. I follow the Old Ways, marking the turnings of the moon and the seasons with ceremonies and rituals. I am always willing to discuss my beliefs with anyone who has an open mind - I don't get dragged into dogmatic discussions with folks who tell me I'm damned and am going to hell. In my belief system, I came from a better place (which they can call Heaven, if they wish), and my Spirit is here once again, inhabiting this mortal coil, undergoing the trials and tribulations of being in a body that grows old and dies (which I can relate to their Hell, if so provoked).
I hope that this blog will be a great platform for discussions with my classmates - I am very excited to see others' blogs. We will be sharing our blog URLs next week, and so I'll leave off with a hope that there will be lots of interesting things to read and discuss, with my fellow students.
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