Three levels of Mind-Body Practice for Chronic Disease. [video]
When we explore the mind-body connection and the impact of our mind on the chronic condition we struggle with, we often go through stages. And on each of those levels, we open up to more profound healing.
For me, it happened like this:
Level 1: Basic Mind-Body Resources
People often start with introductory books like those by Louise Hay.
Louise was an icon, who taught us how to love ourselves unapologetically, without guilt. Self-love and self-care matter in the healing journey; some people subconsciously don’t believe they deserve to heal, they don’t feel worthy of healing and that’s a big obstacle.
The book mentioned above is a simple guide connecting a specific illness with the potential emotional cause, and she offered affirmations to counter that. For me, that never worked. It never helped me to release the stress, pain or a symptom. Perhaps it was too general. But I also didn’t take this work any deeper either. (I’m talking 2012 ) However, this book can open your eyes to the fact that you are more than your physical body, and that what happens in your heart also affects the body.
Level 2: Deeper Understanding
Things started changing when I used more in-depth resources. One particularly transformative book is “Your Body Speaks Your Mind.” by Deb Shapiro. I witnessed the transformation and release of pain in myself and others based on this book’s wisdom.
When we are open to hearing the truth, the insights from this book can often create breakthrough moments and contribute to healing or the release of a symptom. When you read it, and things click… you start understanding how your mental patterns can stop or start an issue in the body. Of course, I can’t guarantee this will work every time.
Another book about specific emotions causing specific diseases is Don Colbert’s M.D. “Deadly emotions. Understand the Mind-Body-Spirit connection that can heal or destroy you.”
It’s an enjoyable, easy read I’d recommend it to anyone who want’s to stop engaging in anger, fear, depression, guilt, shame, or bitterness.
The author explains the biochemical changes that happen in the body when we engage and cultivate those deadly emotions and how that causes various painful chronic diseases. However, he also talks about joy and peace and their healing potential.
It’s one thing to read a book and another to embody the knowledge. This leads me to point #3.
Level 3: Personal Inner Work
There are some things only you can discover for yourself within yourself. Only you can connect a specific emotion to your chronic illness or pain. These are the steps to do so:
- Tune into your body in a state of deep relaxation
- Move beyond logical thinking to connect with your body’s wisdom
- Be present with the parts of yourself that are experiencing pain
- Receive your body’s (and your soul’s) wisdom.
- Transform this pain through various inner healing methods
- Embody the changes and insights you discover
- In daily life, keep the promise you gave yourself during the healing process.
Why do I call the inner work a “journey into wholeness”?
Because we discover the parts we rejected, disowned and judged. But they are still a part of us, waiting to be accepted and loved again. When we do, they stop causing so much pain.
Beyond level 3: Spiritual surrender
You might have heard and believed those stories about healing miracles that took place when a person prayed sincerely, surrendered, and opened to receive grace and divine love. I certainly want to believe these are true.
Because, unlike hope, faith creates a paradigm shift.