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n a world of increased demand for improved outcomes, many professional disciplines are changing their approach from a problem and dysfunction based philosophy to a strength, asset and resilience based approach. Health Realization has been identified as the “best practice” for implementing this paradigm shift. Health Realization believes each person has health which is an unlimited, ever present, natural resource, not dependent on any external factors or the environment. As service providers or helpers operate from this perspective, they live in a higher state of well being themselves. From this state of health they are then able to be in a high state of service.

The principles of Health Realization, provide people with the building blocks to develop an understanding of the inside-out nature of human functioning. As people gain an appreciation of the inside-out nature of their experience of life, they are better able to access their true health. From this vantage place they create and live in a higher state of wellbeing, experiencing greater appreciation for family, co-workers and friends, increased mental clarity, enjoyment and motivation, and decreased stress. Everyone creates their experience of life moment to moment through their thinking. Some people innocently create or adopt negative habits of thinking that cover up their health. As people understand the role of thought and recognize their habits of thinking, they can exercise choice, calm their mind or discern themselves from their thinking. Knowing that excessive or obsessive thinking creates circumstances where it is difficult for health to emerge, people access a quieter state of mind to rediscover their true health. A simple analogy is that of the sun and clouds, regardless of the density or duration of the cloud cover seen from earth, the sun in always shining. As with human functioning, our innate health is like the sun, always present, but often covered by our clouds of thought.

There is great interest in this philosophy by many individuals, organizations and agencies. Health Realization is attractive because it is based on the premise that all humans, regardless of circumstances, function psychologically in the same manner. This commonality draws people together while allowing the celebration of people’s differences. Individuals are drawn to Health Realization, because the principles and concepts are simple yet profound, and result in people feeling better and operating with insight and good judgement. As people rise in their level of well being, their health acts as the change agent in their relationships both personally and professionally. Identification of health as the agent for change is applicable in all arenas – education, medicine, social service, business, communities, agencies, chemical health, mental health, as well as individual relationships. Specific examples in these arenas are – teachers focusing on the health in their students, resulting in improved academic performance and behavior on the part of the students. Staff/employees maintaining a higher state of wellbeing and feeling less stress with the same amount of work to accomplish in their jobs. Management experiencing higher productivity and less job dissatisfaction from employees. Community members finding personal empowerment to rise above their circumstance and thus fostering healthier, safer communities.

The Training Center staff has been teaching the principles of Health Realization to community members and organizations since 1991. The program director, Cindi Claypatch is one of the original Health Realization practitioners in Minnesota. In 1996 the Training Center opened, responding to the increasing interest and demand for training. The Training Center has three areas of focus: (1) Provide the opportunity for individuals to have access to Health Realization training. (2) Work with agencies, businesses, and organizations to assist them in integrating Health Realization in to their programming and organizational culture. (3) Integrate Health Realization into programs offered by our agency.

We contract with organizations for specific or systemic training, offer a variety of courses and seminars, and speak at conferences that are held periodically throughout the year.

Our services with organizations are customized to meet the goals and needs of the organization. The range of services can be from a three-hour seminar related to a specific topic area to a multi-year project, which would integrate Health Realization and resilience into the culture, programming and operations of the organization.

For further information please contact the Training Center at (612) 823-5973 or by e-mail at [email protected].