Developmental Harmonization:
A Guide to Improving Health while Discovering Your Intended Optimal or Spiritual Path and Purpose in Life
by
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Many people have made the statement, “Life is a Journey.” Most of those making this sort of statement believe that each person must find a “spiritual path” to follow, in order to complete this journey. But, just what really is a spiritual path, and what really is the purpose of this journey that life is all about? Is it more important to adopt a tradition we can live with that expresses this type of philosophy, or is it that we should attempt to become aware of the journey we are on, and develop ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually in order set out upon our path? The purpose of this book is to address questions such as these and to explore one process for discovering your “spiritual path.” Some readers who are less inclined to use the term “spiritual” may prefer to use the term “optimal path.” The path described as a spiritual path in this book is also the optimal path for an individual’s psychological and physical fitness. The process for discovering the path that will be introduced in this book is one that the author has developed over his lifetime and used to discover his own spiritual and optimal path. The process he has developed is the most appropriate for discovering his path, based upon his own life’s experiences and circumstances. It may also be appropriate for many who read this book, but it will probably not be the most appropriate process for everyone. It will be recognized as such by those for whom it is appropriate, and by those who have already discovered it on their own. The point is, one shoe doesn’t fit every foot, and one process for discovering a spiritual path will, likewise, not be appropriate for everyone. It is the hope of the author that, by describing the process he used to discover his own spiritual path, others will be aided in discovering their paths, and that they will begin to recognize just how similar all spiritual paths really are. It should also be noted here that the process described in this book is one that can be practiced by virtually anyone. It is intentionally described in a practical, usable format so that you don’t have to be a philosopher, theologian, psychologist, guru, monk or shaman to understand how to get there. Anyone who is interested enough to take the time to read the book and practice the process will gain an understanding of it and, at that point, will be able to decide if it is one that is personally acceptable. Discovering a spiritual path is far different from adopting one. Many people, especially in this “New Age,” are apt to explore traditions that are different from their own simply because they are vogue, or something that their contemporaries happen to be interested in. When this occurs, people simply give up one set of dogma for another. Is this really setting out on a spiritual path? Is there really any spiritual development that takes place in this manner? But then, what is spiritual development anyway? In mathematics, Newton was said to have discovered the calculus. Other mathematicians are said to have discovered geometry and other mathematical disciplines. This is because it is assumed that calculus and geometry, etc., would exist in the cosmos whether people were here to use them or not. People didn’t create mathematics, but some people of higher awareness than others discovered them to exist, and revealed them to the world. Spiritual or optimal paths appear to be less as distinct as mathematics for reasons that will be discussed in later chapters, but when broken down to their basic elements, all spiritual paths are really very much alike, and they exist as part of nature’s processes. It is the conceptual framework and held values of the individual spiritual seeker that make them appear to be different. These differences are due to individuals’ various cultural backgrounds and stages of development in the process of discovering their paths. Many individuals have not come to understand the difference between a process for discovering a spiritual path, and the spiritual path itself. This is why it is the process of discovering the spiritual path that is most important. By following a valid process and by developing oneself according to that process, one creates the necessary conditions in his/her own life to be able to intuitively discover what he/she was intended to do in life. The more the person incorporates the process into daily activities, the more clearly one illuminates his/her spiritual/optimal path. And, the process works regardless of the individual’s religious affiliation, as long as it is not viewed to be contrary to one’s fundamental beliefs. Some of the processes used for the discovery of spiritual paths come from the traditional religions of the world. Some Eastern traditions believe that the phenomenal world must be rejected, while they turn to a process involving various forms of meditation and strict self-deprivation. There are also a variety of processes from the Western Christian tradition. Some Christians believe in the process of surrendering the self and all selfish desires to Christ, and or, God-the-Father. Many monks live in isolation leading a monastic life of dedicated prayer and self-sacrifice, while others believe that the development of unwavering faith in Christ’s sacrifice alone is the process to determining their path and obtaining salvation. Still, others believe that leading a life of good acts that are favorable to God is the proper process. Some practitioners consider these processes to be the spiritual path itself. For these persons, the religious practices themselves are the path.
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About the Book
Developmental Harmonization is a process that a group, or an individual, may follow to achieve a state of Psychic Harmonization (a state of physical, psychological and spiritual harmony). This type of state is described in various terminologies by many philosophers in the fields of meditation, metapsychology and psychology from Socrates, to Rudolph Steiner, to Sri Aurobindo. In this state, an individual may discover his or her intended path and purpose in life. Practicing the exercises associated with the Developmental Harmonization process also provides the many health-related benefits associated with meditation and physical exercise. The exercises described are meditative techniques that have been practiced in many cultures for ages. They are presented here in a process that utilizes the principles of Instructional Systems Design, in order to take advantage of their differential benefits. This is something virtually missing in other books on meditation. Steps toward the attainment of higher awareness are also described. The techniques are presented in an easily-understandable, practical application that may be used by anyone interested in the harmonization of our human condition.
About the Author
Dr. Raymon McAdaragh is a retired Aerospace Engineering Research Psychologist and a Certified Meditation Instructor (C-MI) through the American Institute of Health Care Professionals (AIHCP). He spent his career working with the FAA and NASA as both an Air Traffic Controller and an Aerospace Research Scientist. He has studied in many fields, including biology, philosophy, psychology, metaphysics, metapsychology, martial arts and meditation. He studied and practiced Japanese Budo Martial Arts under a Master and traditional samurai, attaining a black belt from the Buto Ku.Kai Martial Arts Society of Kyoto, Japan. He studied and practiced Transcendental Meditation and Zen for many years. He has been a member of, and led, study groups in metaphysics, parapsychology and religious philosophy. He attained a 32nd degree as a Scottish Rite Mason. He is also a self-taught musician and writes and records his own music. His biography has been included in Marquis' Book of Who's Who for five consecutive years, including Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World and Who's Who in Science and Engineering.