Begin with the end in play - Health and Wellbeing

It's easy and quite common to believe that illness and early death is due to factors such as disease, poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and genetic disorders.

But according to the results gained from nearly 30 years of research by Sir Professor Michael Marmot, those factors account for around one quarter of the causes of illness and early death.

The primary, majority cause of illness is "psycho-social" – our personal beliefs and expectations, and the social environment (community, nation and culture) in which we live.

Understanding the psycho-social factors in health and wellbeing

1. "psycho" - the power of belief

As widely reported in recent media, researchers at the Harvard Medical School have found that focused concentration through meditation can "switch on" disease-fighting genes in our bodies.

The research confirmed that good mental habits, beliefs and meditation can switch on genes that protect from disorders such as pain, infertility, high blood pressure and rheumatoid arthritis.

Besides the obvious direct consequences of this research (that we can effect better health) a far more important consequence is the realization that we are not victims to the genes we inherited. This realisation opens us to possibilities ..."so if I'm not destined to be unwell, then ...").

2. "social" - the power of community

According to the results gained from nearly 30 years of research by Sir Professor Michael Marmot, our status and level of relative wealth also affects our health.

Our ability to receive support and help both professionally and socially, are important factors in our health and wellbeing (read more on these factors in "Factors in employee health, wellbeing and resilience.").

Researchers are now recognising that these psycho-social factors, when taken together,  contribute and determine the degree to which we have "control of destiny" – it is our intimate sense and experience of control of personal and collective destinies that is crucial in determining health.

That our beliefs, and the communities in which we live are the primary cause of our health and wellbeing, should not surprise those who are familiar with various religious, spiritual or motivational texts. "With our thoughts, we make our world" (Buddha); "what  things soever ye desire ... ye shall have them" (Jesus); "You create your reality", and "You get what you concentrate on. There is no other main rule" ('Seth'/Jane Roberts). We have been similarly advised by sages throughout the ages. Why then do we not see a primary focus on our beliefs and thoughts, and their central role in creating health and wellbeing?

As explained in this workshop, and to some extent here, it's largely due to racial immaturity – we've simply lost touch, as well as not having learned to connect with our intuitive, creative power to "create our reality." Due to our racial adolescence, like many teenagers who enjoy their toys and technologies, we've become addicted to our objective sciences and religions. We put our faith in things and spirits "out there" rather than in ourselves.

Fortunately, science is itself beginning to confirm that mind and a rich inner subjective world is central to our health and wellbeing.

In addition to the recent Harvard Medical School's research findings, Professor Len Syme explained over 10 years ago ...

The "Begin with the end in play - Health and Wellbeing" program reveals and works the reality, power and influence of positive psycho-social factors in helping achieve health and wellbeing.

The workshop is based on the "Begin with the end in play" creative cycle which is central to all aspects of life, including creativity, innovation, health and wellbeing, resilience, relationships, business management, sports performance and career success.

Benefits of gaining 'control of your destiny'

Research has confirmed that gaining 'control of your destiny' is the single, most important factor in your health and well-being.

It is the stress of not knowing, of not seeing or believing there are solutions to our problems that does the most harm. When we realise there is always a 'way out' of every negative situation, we become more relaxed, healthy, adventurous, confident and creative in life. We do things we would never have imagined, or dared.3

The attitude of "I don't know, but I'll find a way, come what may" is the key that is used and developed by successful entrepreneurs, artists, writers and adventurers.

Materials and complimentary

Workbook, including Section II: Under-standing (featuring Index, Table of Contents, containing various diverse and unique insights into the deeper nature of reality, as relates to health, creativity, spirituality, the dynamics of gender and relationships.

Who should participate

Anyone who seeks greater health and wellbeing, peace of mind, ease and confidence. The natural healing process, based on the Begin with the end in play creative cycle, can be applied to all areas of life, including creativity, innovation, business and relationships.

Duration:

Workshops are tailored to need, from a recommended minimum 1/2 day (3 hours) to 2 days. The workbook includes the philosophical/scientific framework for lasting understanding and follow up action beyond the workshop.

Fees and related details:

One on one sessions available, as well as group sessions for community and corporate clients . Please contact the Belief Institute for more details.

Related weblinks:

• Depression 'cuts cancer survival
• The effect of friends on health (New York Times)
• 'A laugh a day keeps the doctor away' (ODE Magazine)

1. 1. "Relax your way to perfect health," The Independent
2. 2. Prof. Len Syme, with Norman Swan “The Health Report: Mastering the Control Factor: Part Two”, ABC Radio National's The Health Report (16 November, 1998) introducing research conducted by Dr Michael Marmot.
3. 3. In Steaphen's case, this meant: -
   → Gaining sufficient confidence to start and run his own successful engineering business, in a field in which he had no prior experience, understanding or training.
   → Enabling him to intuitively find his own path to health and wellness during severe illness, contrary to the advice and prognosis of medical experts (which caused stress for those friends and family who preferred he accept medical treatment).
   → Enabling him to begin a life-long dream of writing a book on the deeper frameworks and processes of life, in the midst of financial difficulty, doubt and scepticism from friends and family. One friend of his, in response to revealing he was writing a book on quantum physics and success principles, replied "you can't do that, you're not a physicist, or successful enough to write on such things". He replied, "you're right, but I'll do it anyway".