Drawing from your reading and your experience, discuss the unique capacity of RI to inform praxis development.

I start my discussion answer with a question, how reliable is my reflexive praxis as a way of knowing? As stated by McGarry (2019, p. 2), “My own paradigm is messy and incomplete, evolving from contemplating experiences (reflection), seeing myself as a part of those experiences (reflexivity), and framing the experiences in some form – a story or narrative… to make meaning happen (praxis). It seems reflexivity as a process for coming into knowing has been detrimental to my mental health.  Let me explain.

            I have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). My PTSD probably started at age 19 but was not diagnosed until age 40. It is treated with medication and counselling. Why have my nightmares increased? Why do I think more about my negative policing experiences than ever before? I have acknowledged this EDUC course has subjected me to an increase in emotional distress. However, I know reflection and reflexivity can facilitate my recovery, making me an emotionally stronger person while assisting with post-trauma growth. Evidence suggests that stressful and traumatic events can provoke positive psychological changes (Linley, P. & Joseph, S. (2004). It is suggested people may be more likely to become cognitively engaged with fundamental questions about life, death, and the purpose of being. A common change is to value the smaller things in life more and consider changes in life’s religious or spiritual philosophies. Seligman (2011) posits traumatic events can shake individuals considering their existence and dramatically influence their quality of life. Some people discover an ability to grow in ways they had not before. This phenomenon is known as post-trauma growth.

            Having PTSD and being treated for it has benefited me in three ways. According to Joseph and Linley (2006), 1) my relationships are enhanced in a positive way, 2) my views of myself have changed while developing wisdom, strength, and gratitude, and 3) my philosophy of life has changed. Examples would include, 1) I appreciate and love my family more, 2) I have meaning and purpose and direction in my life, and 3) I live in the power of “now” and do not take myself seriously. My true nature as the ever-present – I am (Tolle, 2004).

            The unique capacity of reflexive inquiry not only supports my praxis development but challenges it to change. A few bad dreams and nasty thoughts brought on by a career a lifetime ago are worth the positive changes in my current and future life. My wife’s background is in molecular biology and genetics, whereby every cell in the human body, including bones, changes over seven years. Nothing in life is constant.            

References

Linley, P. & Joseph, S. (2004). Positive change process following trauma and adversity: A review of the   empirical literature. Journal of Traumatic Stress. 17, 11-22.   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15027788/

McGarry, K. (2019). Reflexivity as a process for coming into knowing. Learning Landscapes, 12(1),        155–170. https://www.learninglandscapes.ca/index.php/learnland/article/view/985

Seligman, M. (2011). Building resilience. Harvard Business Review. 89: 4, 100-106.        https://hbr.org/2011/04/building-resilience

Tolle, E. (2004). The power of now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment. Namaste.