Seeking and Finding Wholeness

Wellness doesn’t mean not being sick. Wellness is a dynamic process of change and growth. There are many recognized and interrelated dimensions of wellness such as: Physical, Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Occupational, Intellectual, and Environmental. All the dimension are crucial to the pursuit of wellness.

Wellness refers to a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit. Wellness results in an overall feeling of well-being. To pursue wholeness you have to pursue wellness.

In the west, wellness has been used in the context of alternative medicine and holistic healing since Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. began using the phrase “high level wellness” in the fifties, based on lectures at a Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, Virginia, U.S.A.

Halbert Dunn defined wellness as “an integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable. It requires that the individual maintain a continuum of balance and purposeful direction within the environment where he is functioning.”

The Six Dimensions of Wellness

Dunn also said that “wellness is a direction in progress toward an ever-higher potential of functioning”.

In other words, wellness is a view of health that emphasizes the state of the entire being and its ongoing development and growth.

The Six Dimensions of Wellness

You will hear about the “dimensions of wellness”, there are three major schools of thought on these dimensions. The pioneers in defining wellness (in our modern / western history) are Hettler, Covery and Motorine.

The table below shows a comparison:

Table 1.0 shows the relations between the three sets of the dimensions of wellness.

These three sets or schools of thought came independently. Dr. Bill Hettler studied the wellness, Covey studied the “habits of highly effective people”, and Vadim Motorine developed the software to balance the most important activities of his personal life.

The six wellness dimensions suggested by Hettler are the most popular ones.

The Author of Wholeness Blog’s Definition of Wellness

Although there might be different views on what wellness encompasses, based on my research and for the purposes of this blog, I define wellness as an involved process through which a person becomes aware of, and makes intelligent choices towards the seeking of wholeness.

Additional Dimensions?

Now, I’d like to introduce two additional dimensions to wellness, in addition to Hettler’s. The Environmental and the Vocational Wellness dimensions. The Environmental Wellness dimension refers to being aware of the earth’s natural resources, the effect of our surroundings, conserving energy, buying organic, etc. Vocational Wellness refers to the harmony of one’s core values with their interests, hobbies, employment and volunteer work.

Some of you may argue that Hettler’s dimensions already encompassed these additional dimensions; to you I say, that is fine, I have added no dimensions to Hettler’s list. My intention is not to modify an existing list.

We have to remember that the sole reason for defining “dimensions” was to enable individuals to be aware of their existence in order to lead to empowerment.

These two dimensions are not an invention of mine; if you use an internet search engine such as Google you will find that this Environmental wellness is currently in use by many. For instance, “environmental wellness” returns a whopping 19.5 million Google search results. Vocational Wellness returns 1,840,000 results.

Furthermore, I conducted a search-engine key-word study targeting the most commonly searched terms on the internet using the word “wellness”. This study proved my point and included these dimensions. In other words, people recognize and refer to these dimension, thus it they have earned their spot on the wellness dimensions list.

It follows that other dimensions, if unique and effective, should be considered for inclusion to this list but non has been introduced to me thus far.

This is the detailed definition of wellness

• Wellness is an involved, conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving full potential
• Wellness is a multidimensional and holistic, encompassing many dimensions that are all interrelated.
• Wellness is positive, affirming and empowering
• Wellness is independent of religious beliefs or lack thereof
• Wellness moves you closer to wholeness
• Wellness cannot be ignored if one is seeking wholeness

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness are:

1. Emotional Wellness
2. Environmental Wellness
3. Intellectual Wellness
4. Occupational Wellness
5. Physical Wellness
6. Social Wellness
7. Spiritual Wellness
8. Vocational Wellness

A Necessity, Not a Luxury

Some consider wellness as a luxury that only exists in a more affluent society. While it is true that many of the practices applied in the pursuit of wellness do control the side effects of affluence, such as obesity and inactivity, the pursuit of wellness is and has been an age old quest, similarly to seeking wholeness.

I agree that people who have to worry about the basics, like food, water, shelter and safety (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) are so distracted and distressed that they do not pursue wellness actively.

I’d like to argue that, it is desirable to never cease the pursuit of wellness and wholeness, especially the seeking of wholeness. Seeking of wellness can go as far as you want, and can utilize whatever resources you have, no matter how modest they are.

The seeking of wholeness should be an ongoing process as well, in fact it is an awareness that is present at all times, regardless of any physical circumstance. Actually, seeking wholeness can lessen the suffering one experiences.

This is purely my own opinion and it would be arrogant to ask a person lacking in Maslow’s basic needs to seek wellness or wholeness. All I can do is encourage such person to do so.

I am more than certain of the beneficial and powerful effects seeking wholeness has on the seeker’s life, and every aspect of their well being and every dimension of their wellness.

Read more on Halbert L. Dunn:

• http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/reports/2004-02-10.htm

Read more on Hettler:

• http://www.hettler.com/

Read more on Covey:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Covey and
• AOL coaches: http://coaches.aol.com/wellness/stephen-covey/main
• Official site: http://www.stephencovey.com/goal