About holistic (wholistic) healing and coaching

The Principles of Holistic Coaching

Holistic Principles

Holistic principles (sometimes spelt "wholistic principles") are the foundation of what the I.G.C. is built upon and unite its members in their professional and personal values.

The I.G.C. Members share a holistic world view and as a practicing coach, mentor or guide are committed to the subsequent actions that are demanded from such an understanding.

What is Holism?

Holism (or "wholism") is a new approach to spirituality that integrates and transcends the usual polarity of religion versus atheism. It is not only an idea, but also a way of thinking, being and understanding that fits perfectly with the modern world with its endless changes and flows of new information. It is able to frame and organise the whole gestalt of post modern planetary village.

Here are some of the key characteristics of holism.

Is open hearted and open minded.
Welcomes diversity.
Perceives the connections and interdependence of all life.
Respects that all life is growing to fulfil it's potential, and that all life is worthy of our care and support.
Is uncomfortable with the ridged dogma and certainty of traditional faiths.
Recognizes that there is a sacred and wonderful mystery to all life, that nature and the universe are spectacular.
Asserts that the essence of spirituality is to connect with and experience the wonder and beauty of all life.
Acknowledges that we are all beings in a developmental spiritual process.
Welcomes and respects that there are many ways of exploring the meaning, purpose and mystery of life -all of them equally valid.
Encourages self responsibility, actualisation and individual integrity.

Originally coined in 1926 by naturalist Jan Smuts, it is derived from the Greek holos, meaning 'Whole'. It is also a term commonly used by people who want a more humane and well rounded approach to healthcare, education, business, politics and now life coaching. It catches, in a modern way, the most profound spiritual instincts.

To become a fulfilled and whole human being
To create healthy and whole communities-local and global
To include all elements and dimensions.

As a scientific idea, it also has a more precise meaning that is also relevant and useful.

Nothing can be fully understood unless we can see the whole system of which it is a part.
A whole is always a sum of its parts.
Random elements are continually emerging and self organising to form coherent wholes.

Holism also describes a natural universe in which everything is constantly changing and new elements are emerging. The structure of wholes is never fixed. The model is not static, but always expanding and shifting to absorb new dynamics and factors. As such, it not only describes the evolutionary forces of the cosmos, it also describes what it is like to live in the modern world: connected and ever changing from the present moment.

Understanding all that, Holism and those of us who subscribe to this understanding need to be careful about our own ideas and any beliefs that become fixed and ridged. We must remain open to new insights and explanations even those that we believe to be true and correct from our personal experiences.

Why holistic coaching is so effective?

It involves the instinctive sense of being in and connected to a universe filled with beauty, mystery and meaning
It includes the desire to explore and deepen that connection
It provokes general enquiry into those deepest questions: Why are we here? Where did we come from? Where are we going?
It involves the instinct to stretch beyond our ego boundaries and love others unconditionally.
As we challenge ourselves in this way we elevate our consciousness and are then able to support others on this journey of healing and awakening.

What essential skills are required of a holistic coach?

The ability to pause and consciously come to centre
The ability to be a kind and detached observer of life and of oneself.
The ability to connect with, experience and explore the wonder, beauty and mystery of life.
Honest self-reflection.
Non-judgemental attitude
Appreciating and being inspired by the stories and examples of others.
Wise management of ones own spiritual education and development.
Supporting the development and growth of others.
Compassion towards suffering
A willingness to embrace our own shadow self.
Courage to move beyond one's own comfort zone (Fears) to help others
Willingness to change.
Ability to make conscious choices and take action in ways that are congruent with these values to serve oneself and therefore the whole of humanity.
The acceptance of maddening paradoxes

The holistic bottom line

Do not harm life
Be compassionate
Feel connected or at one with life
Develop generosity of spirit
Live from the present moment
Take heart centered action
Love

Open yourself to Tao
Then trust your natural responses
And everything will be in harmony

Tao Te Ching

Summary

The essential aim of the I.G.C. is to provide a transparent and open forum for like minded Holistic Coaches and their clients and together we will contribute to the evolvement of consciousness in a our global community.

To see world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour

William Blake

To become a member of the I.G.C. please click here.

Information presented on this page has been contributed (with permission) by William Bloom Ph.D. For more information on Holistic principles you can visit his website.